Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-05-31

NO. ~.
remained fascinated, spell-bound, not daring
to move, and unable to speak. Edith's con.
vulsive clasp Of my arm slackened, and she
fell back heavily, knew she had tainted
but in the extremity Of my terror could not
turn round to her assistance, for the awful,
white-robed form still cleaned in the indis.
tinct light.
Suddenly sound broke the stiffness; it was
the villags::clock family Ginning the hour-1
o'clock. Then heard voice say, in strange
unsarthly tone, mo, no, not tonight will
do your bidding soon."
There was hollow grsan. The dreadful
form swayed and bent a. il in grief and then
wringing ito hands, disappeared in the dark
ness. There vas faint clicking sound, and
al was still once more.
"Edith! Edith" I cried trying to rouse my
| friend.
Happily her swoon was not Of long duration
for she soon opened her eyes and murmored
"Csra, are you there? Have been dream
ing? Oh mol remember. Is it gone?'
"My dear Edith" said I, ''can you summon
courage to come with me? We cannot stay
here oil night"
"Oh yes, yes" che replied; 'sbut where shall
We go?"
ITO Mary's room,r said l. "Come quick,
quicki'
After some time We managed to find the
handle Of the door, and unlocked it. Trem.
bling we ventured into the long, dark passage
and, with . mutual impulse, few rather than
ran to the other wing Of the house. We open
Cd the door Of the room in which Mary slept
and found candle burning on the table, and
Mary still undressed. She screamed IS We
entered, and made futil attempt to rush
away. Fright prevented her moving; the
poor girl stood with widely distended eyes ct
the supposed white spectral forms she saw,
her hands clasped in mute supplication.
"Mary, don't be alarmed" said l. 1--WE are
neither ghosts nor robbers"
With cry Of intense relief she staggered
into chair.
'Oh, ms'am!' she gasped, II have been 50
A burst Of tears choked her utterance.
After much soothing she told US Of her
fear. It seemed that when she went to her
room she bolted herself in, as usual, and had
sat down to finish some needle work, when
she heard noise in the passage as of steal>
thy footsteps. Fancying that perhaps Mrs.
Rayne might be wanting something, she OPEN
ed the door. No one was there; but she wait
ed and called the housekeeper by name sever
al times. Receiving no answer, she was just
about to shut the door again, when she was
startled by hearing voice say, "No, no, not
tonight; but soon-soon !" and there was .
sort Of shrek, followed by groan.
So frightened was the poor girl, that she had
emily strength left to reach q chair; and there
she had remained until our appearance. It
was no wonder that we had terrified her more.
What was to be done? We did not like to
tell Mary the cause Of our seeking retreat in
he, room; so we merely spoke about the wind
bowling in the large chimney, and preventing
our slumbers; but we determined to speak Sc
riously to Mrs. Rayne on the morrow.
Edith and my little servant we're really i'll,
and when saw the reflection Of my face in the
mirror could scarsely believe that it was the
| same had seen in the morning 90 wan and
watched looked.
1t seemed as if daybreak would never come,
and neither Of US was brave enough to seek
the housekeeper.
We tried to look ~ if nothing had occurred
when we went down stairs. Mrs. Rayne was
most attentive, and, as usual, fixed her re-
CARDS upon me.
ave did not sleep very we'll last night, Mrs
Raync. We heard some extraordinary noise,
and fancied there were foot steps in the cor
ridor," said l observing the housckeeper's.
countenance.
She was standing near the window, in .
strong light and saw her turn very pale.
but she answered quietly. II thought You
were not afraid Of the supernatural lady, or I
should never have advised you to sleep in that
room. There is an old tradition about the
family-shall tell you now!
l replied in the affirmative, and in cold
measured tones, with q set expression on her
features Mrs. Rsyne related the following
story.
"The Congreves are an ancient race, and
have been renowned for their wicked deeds as
we'll as noble ones. More than two hundred
years ago a 6ir Egbert Congrcve committed
most cruel murder, enticing fair and gentle
lady to this gloomy mansion. She loved her
husband we'll, but he soon grew tired Of her,
and disregarding her prayers for mercy, stab
bed her fatally in the chamber you have just
quilted. When she was dying she turned 10
him, and cursed him and all the eldest sons Of
the race. Since that time misfortune has in>
deed seemed to pursue the Congreves. The
eldest sons always meet with sudden or vio-
lent end. Every nine years there has been .
dreadful murder in this house. A gloom ever
surrounds it; and Sir Edward Congreve at last
needed his lady's earnest solicitation !, and took
her and her only son, deep Mr.. Ernest away
Mr.. Ernest! Then there's . son? qucs
toned.
ssTLcre is Young lady," she replied. 0and