Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-04-15
THE MYSTERIOUS WARNING;
Or, the Lady I'm the Sacaue.

Nhi DehuInbcu Ieel ana 1TOst-Dltten noses.
The question was put to pOrtly and rather
argumentstiYe old gentleman, who was fond of
ooasting about many wondrous exploits in
which be had taken part.
Surveying the roguish-looking maiden with
an air OF sternness, IS though he detected some
hidden pleasantly, and was resolved not to be-
come a dupe to the fair girls love Of mirth the
Msjor, replied, in dry, solemn tone, 80 have
reasons for thinking ghosts sometimes walk the
earth"
4" Perhaps, Major" pursued Lilias. "during
your evcntful life you have seen one; if so, may
beg as personal favor, the recital of your
experience 2''
The Major was about to reply, when Mr.
Montague gcntlemanly person, advancing to-
wards the sofa on which Lilias and myself
were seated, said, 'If Miss Davenport wishes
to hear genuine ghost story. L shall be happy
with the comPanys permission, to relate an
oh, we shall be so delighted. Pray oblige
us, exclaimed dozen voices in breath; and
Mr.. Montague, having resumed his chair, oOm-
mepced as follows:
In days long past there stood on the borders
OF the new Forest splendid mansion, which
had been erected during the reign of the Plan
tagenets. 1t was curious building, filed
with odd hooks and winding passages branch
ing hither and thithcr, and bewildering the un-
initiated stranger with their labrynth mazes
For several years the house had been shut up
the owner having, it is said, sustained some
heavy pecuniary losses which compelled his re-
firing to n less pretending abode 1t chanced
one day that two ladies were travelling in the
vicinity, when the elder, attracted by the
beauty of the surrounding scenery, inquired of
n pasSer-by what name the deserted habitation
bore.
.'Foresters' Hail. grinned the peasant
Thee can have il thee likes. Squire Russell
wants to rid of the old place"
And who Is Squire Russel7'' asked the
younger lady, turning her sparkling eye upon
the rustic; - he must have some queer notions
TO allow this elegant structure to fall thus be-
fore the ruthless hand Of Time, - and she point
ed to one wing which appeared completely di-
lapidated but suppose" she added, he is
some miserly old bachelor
He beant old, miss, answered the country
man; . he and his mother did live there before
misfortins fell upon them, when they was sort
Of forced to give the Hall up. Squire would
cell it for a song
Why does not some one become the pur-
chaser - interrogated the old lady. See,
Eugenie," she said turning to her companion,
what noble avenue leads To the principal
entrance
Il tell We what madam" whispered the
peasant, mo mortal man nor woman can bide
there. 1t is haunted"
How delightful romantic !" laughed Eu-
genie. But can you tell me, friend what is
seen! p"
- Folks do say" continued the rustic d" that
there's beautiful lady walks the gallery of
night, dressed In thing grand people used to
wear, called a sack. Wonder whether it be
like my tater sack; that 'ud be a rum garb for
dainty bit of flesh and blood"
Aunt said Eugenie .'pray let us settle in
this lovely spot
Il have no objection" ;" returned her aunt,
provided the Hall is sold bargain Then,
addressing the wondering laborer, she said
Where does this Mr.. Russell live!''
ssSOuire RuSsalIfs house lias baI , ro;Ia ON
your right, cried the cOuntrymsn; ''but lor'
ma am, YOU beant fOOlhardy as to be arter
takin' the Hall, be yen
Mrs. Irving (sueh was the lady's name) mo-
toned with some dignity the man to precede
herself and neice, and, taking Eugenie's hand
within her arm, she pursued the narrow path
taken by their guide.
They found AshdOwn Farm a dreary place.
although its master, Mr.. Eversrd Russell re-
ceived them with the utmost courtesy, Offering
to send a servant early next morning to open
the Hall that they might have ample opportu-
nifty OF inspecting the property.
4 need not tell you, he said Il shall be
only too happy, embarrassed l am, at fnd-
ing purchaser; yet the hour that another be-
comes legitimate p1ssessor of the home of nv
ancestors will be the most bitter amid all my
trials shall have experienced
Next day saw Everard Russell in waiting mt
foresters Hall; large fires had been lighted by
hls order in each capacious chamber, SO that
when Mrs. Irving and her niece arrived there
was quite an air Of comfort diffused through
the eTumbliDg pile
Eugcnie was charmed with everything. She
had forgotten the story Of the ghost, but all in
an instant it reeurred to her, and she COM
menccd bsntering Everard on the subject To
her establishment he turned pale as a monu-
mental statue, and she observed his white lip
CULVER Is he glanced burriedly around. At
length he said, Have you belief in disem-
bodied spirits reyisitiny earth do you think
when once we have 'shufIled off this mortal
coil our souls can be permitted to haunt the
dwellings Of men ~
- No, Dir. Russell, =" answered Eugenie II
cannot conceive, that after exchanging the
world for Immortality, we shall ever be allowed
I'd descend to II again. / place no credence in
spectral appearances, which are mere coniura-
tIons Of the village gossip, and serve to scare
the senses Of timid childhood. Every ancient
edifce has its legend, and Foresters' Hall
perceive, Is not an exception. However, we
will turn to some more agreeable topic. See 4,
there Is my aunt perambulating yon terraced
walk. Suppose we join her"
Much relieved by the change Of conversation,
the color returned to Everard's check and
during Mrs- Irving exploration # the grounds
he was animated TO an extraordinary degree.
The ladies were mutually pleased with him
and when he named tho very moderate sum he
demanded for the property, Mrs Irving agreed
TO become It's purchaser, and desired Mr. Rus
a
fer OF the title deeds she wished the business
settled without delay. To this Eyerard joy
fully assented, and the new acquaintances
parted, each well pleased with the morning
transaction.
Miss Irving (or, she better loved to be
designated, Mrs. Irving) was a Iaiv in recent
Of considerable income, but which large as il
was, she somehow cOntrived to get through.
Her time was spent in travelling; she had seen
all that was worthy of note in England; had
sreat long years in Italy and France, and at
length, completely weary of the world, resoiv ed
upon settling down in some sweet retirement
Eugenie Boyd. the orphan child Of sn only
sister was totally dependent on Mrs. Irving.
but never were two beings more deYOtedly at
tached than the aunt and niece. As ye' Euge-
HIe had never experienced n preference for
any gentleman-so at least Mrs. Irving aver
red and 50 she thOught-though far within the
maidens soul there lurked a passionate love
for Harold Harding, a young artist, patronized
by her aunt, but from whom the good lady sud
denly withdrew her countenance on discover.
ing he had dared to raise his presumption:
ewes To her niece heiress