The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1858-06-03


posed an exploration Of the haunted
apartment; but this Uncle Althorpe de-
5idedly opposed, alleging that as he was
only a temporary tenant he had no
right to penetrate into these carefully /
guarded recesses.
One day my cousins had been more
than usually aggravating upon the sub |
ject Of my resemblance to Mis- Eleanor |
Pyott, and / retired to rest at night in |
no very pleasant frame of mind.
Matilda was soon asleep, but I lay
awake thinking Of the former occupants
Of the mansion, and wondering if Pyott
Deumore would ever be restored to
what considered his rightful possession.
I was restless aud finally rose from
the bed, and lighting a candle, proceed
ed to view Miss Eleanor's portrait. The
more I looked, the more I became con-
vinced that / did look like it; and the
desire came over me to attire myself in
the ancient dress and then compare
noses. Hilly had caught glimpse of
some old-fashioned things in the back
part Of a deep closet, and thither I ac-
cordingly repaired. A faded dress of
stiff brocade, that had evidently seen
long service, soon replaced my white
wrapper, and having rolled my hair in
to puTs, Ia Miss Eleanor, I donned o
green cq1ecbe, and almost trembled at
my reflection in the glass.
L looked at the portrait again, to be
sure that it was really 1, and not the old
lady stepped from her frame; and then
unhesitatingly directing my steps to-
wards the wallod-up room, determined
to see if it were possible to effect an en-
trance there.
It was a ridiculous expedition; but I
walked gravely on through the silent
passage, until I came into a little entry
that opened into a closet, Carefully
guarding my candle, peered around in
search of some outlet, for I knew that
this closet was at the end of the house
near the mysterious chamber.
The narrowness of my quarters caus-
ed a rattling sound in the capacious
pocket of my dress, and drawing forth
roll of paper, grasped it tightly for
future investigation. Ny candle was
not brilliant enough, or I should before
have discovered a sort of board window
at the end of the closet. This was Sc
cured by hooks, that were noislessly un-
fastened, and then found myself in a
small room, from the further end Of
which seemed to proceed a light.
I was staggered, and my first impulse
was to turn back; but resolving to in
quire into the cause of this strange phe-
nomenon, proceeded tremblingly for
ward. 1 could not have told what I ez-
pected to see but I certainly was not
prepared for the sight that met my
eyes.
The room into which I entered led In
to a larger one, and in this, seated by q
table, was a gentleman, completely alb,
sorbed in the perusal of some old yell
low letters. His face wore an expires.
sion Of sadness as he sat there; but
could see that he was very distinguished
looking, and quite young.
The situation in which found my.
self was extremely embarrassing-alonC
there, at midnight; but instead of re
tracing my steps, l stood spell-bound
staring at the occupant of the mystic
riOus room.
Presently he turned and saw me. Hi
face grew white, as he exclaimed in q
husky voice, Gam / dreamingl Mer
ciful Heavenl That nosel"
This unprovoked attack upon m,
much-injured feature quite exasperatel
me, and without stopping to conside
what I did, I threw the paper in m,
hand at the speaker and glided back t
my closet 1 thought that | heard
heavy fall; but now thoroughly alarme,
at my own imprudence, / hastened
: breathIess and painting, to my room.
My cousin still slept; and divestin
e myself Of my masqUerading attire,
sat down and pondered over my singu
[ lar adventure. As had told my uncl
I did not believe in ghosts, aud tn
y gentleman whom encountered had Civ
: en- full evidence Of being living maj
Y / fully believed it TO be Pyott Denmor,
: though how he came there, and fc
T. Muub ltdbOug 4 Cuulu uub NolAa uo
evidently impressed him with the cor
= viction that he had been visited by hi
Aunt Eleanor; and with q sort Of mis-
h chievous glee, and little inward tren
= bling, I retired to bed, wondering VIII,
@ would come Of it
g Ihalf feared TO 60 to the breakfast Il
Bile; but nothing was said Of tho pc
n formance Of the night before; Unc
a Althorpe looked perfectly unconsciol
IS Of the scene that had been enacted, an
e I began to breathe freely.
My cousins teased me during the ID
h for being SO unusually silent: but nj
l. thoughts we're wandering off to the me
% ancholy-looking gentleman, and j wol
e dered what had become Of hihs.
l. would not do TO trust the girls with n
le secret for they would laugh at me, At
ot declare that had been dreaming al
e. that was, after all as great a ooWa
r. as themselves.
I stole OF to The thicket that was II
m medialoly under the boarded window,
% h,t al IoeLoI I.uL ard 1orart.1 .- D