Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-05-31
Rayne. "but you will not believe me know

Rayne, ''but you will not believe me know"
II should think not said Indignantly.
"Hush! Hushr said she. :Do mot say that
lady, but you shall have your candles and
supper"
Mrs. Rayne walked out Of the room, and
Edith said 70 me in . whisper, 'the houses
keeper seems an odity, don't you think SOP
"Bertie says she is very nice old woman;
replied.
At that moment my maid entered with can
dies. She looked pale and terrified.
20, ma ami" she exclaimed, after glancing
cautiously around to be sure Mrs. Rayne was
not listening, "this ID nasty horrid place.
Mrs. Rayne says that there's curse on il
and that some Of the rooms are haunted and
there's an awful murder committed here
every nine years, and only think that is the
reason the family left il, because this il the
ninth year"
"Mary," said trying 10 look very wise,
"dont you listen to such::silly tales, assure
you that there is no truth in them"
"well ma'an; Ill try not to be frightened
said Mary, ''but the house is 20 gloomy, how
dark it is, even with these candles"
There was no disputing the fact, and the
FIRE was laid ready for lighting, 80 I bade
Mary light match.
ut is very strange, ma'am," she said Is
she knelt ON the rug to do my bidding.
"what is stranger" asked.
She looked up with face Of horror, and .
look as if she had some mysterious circum-
stance to communicate, and hesitated to.do %.
"what is the matter, Mary?' asked.
"You'r sure you arnt frightened Of ghosts
ma'am' she said.
"Of course not, replied.
s:Master has chosen the haunted room for
you to sleep in," continued Mary. "He said
it was the prettiest room in the whole house,
and you wouldn't mind it's being the room
where the people are murdered.
10, Cara, exclaimed Edith with nervous
laugh.
Iwas silent from CONSERVATION. Mary lit
the fire, and after glance to see the effect Of
her words, went down stairs.
"This is certainly more than bargained
for" l calculated
"Cara, must sleep with you to-nigh, dear
said Edith.
"Do for PHYS sake for though am not SO
foolish as to fear apparitions, must confess
myself little shaky after parting with ber-
tie," said trying to smile.
%A ~ ~
to our rooms. She looked surprised
thought when told her Mrs. Wollaston meant
to share mine with me.
..But the other lady's room is ready for her
the bed we'll aired and brighi FIRE burning
she demonstrated.
aLet Mary sleep there, said Edith. II am
quite determined to have my own way
.As you please lady, said Mrs. Rayne-
sBut I thought. here sne
muttercd something to herself
The housekeeper threw open the door OF q
chamber after we had traversed several long
passages. We entered and beheld large
and pleasant room, better furnished than the
others. was agreeably surprised, for on the
occasion Of the Introductory visit to the man
sion, had not been shown this wing. had
pictured it very different. gloomy, dreary,
ghostly apartment, after what Mary had said.
"There is some superstition connected with
this room, is there not?" l said to our conduc-
tor.
She raplica dryly that sthere was," and
then said in very pecnliar tone, "Shall
tell you it, lady?"
No, no, replied hnrridly some other time,
not to night
"You have every thing you require then
ladies. l will bid you goodnight, and she
added, as she left the room, pleasant dreams.
The door closed after her and we were
alone. The first thing Edith and l did was
to open the cupboard doors, and peep under
every piece Of furniture, laughing at our
selves for such unwanted precaution.
sThis door won't OPEN cried Edith, trying
one near the bed.
s.No;' saidI. .sWell 1 expect Mrs. Rayne
has locked up her best cap, and taxed away
the key, added gaily.'
"Do you feel any alarm Cara, asked my
friend merily.
Scarcely any" replied, tiny nervousness
is going
We locked the door, (why cannot imagine)
before going to bed.
My rest was undisturbed, I only had
confused dream, in which fancied that Der.
tie any Mrs. Raync were fghting and that
she threw away broomstick after hard
contest,
When l awoke, to my surprise found Edith
dressed AMI seated by the window. She turn
ed pale and awe-struck face upon me when
spoke.
t'Good heavens Edith, what.is the matter
asked, you look as if you had seen ghost.
''The truth is, BERTHE, have been terrified.
she replied 'and heard you murmering some-
thing abont BERTHE and Mrs. Rayne.
thought you were dreaming uneasily, and
tried TO wake you, calling Cara Cara, to no
purpose, shaking you pretty roughly, too,
,ut you slept on, aud turned away in dis
'air. As was lying my head on the pillow
heard slight noise in the room, and by the
lickering light Of the fire, I saw---
"Oh, what? cried, staring at her.
"a shadowy form in white gliding across
he room. "Cara, she replied, II was 30 fright>
med that could not move my eyes from it
Fhon it disappeared.
1Can you have been dreaming" 1 asked.