The Hickman courier., 1871-05-06
MISCELLANY.


Only one passengers tall, fresh look
ing girl, with glossy masses ofraven dark
hair, and eyes of iiqnid hazel. Marian
Ashley gas pretty in the real blooming
English style; and she was very self
possessed. withal, as she entered the lit
tie inn parlor
"Can you furnish me With convey
anee to Moreton Grange 2" she asked of
the landlady, who hustled forward to
meet her.
ITO night, Miss?"
"Yes, tonight"
that is coming as companion to Mrs.
MoretoD n asked the hostess with
spice of the curiosity inherited from
Mother Eve
II am" said Marian, as independently
n If she were an heiress.
at is long drive, Miss" said Mrs.
Ducey, "and you'd better take bit of
supper while Toms Harvesting the
horses"
30 Marian sat down to wait; and Mrs.
Ducey eyed her in sidewise fashion, as
che spread the table
'.She's nice looking girl" Thought
Mrs Ducey; and Mrs Ducey was right
Marian looked like a queen, as she sat
there in her sober black dress, with the
coronal of her jetty locks wreathed about
her marbly fair brew.
Marian Ashley was thinking too She
was wondering how this new experiment
Of hers. to earn her own living, would
end. She was sick at heart OF the bread
of dependence; yet. just now, she felt
bewildered and strange, like child lost
ip the woods. The only clue she had to
follow was brief advertisement In the
newspapers, and that had led her thither.
She turned suddenly to Mrs Ducey.
IS that thrifty dame entered with cold
fowl, ham, &c.
as Moreton Grange very far away 2"
"Four miles, Miss"
1t must be very lonely"
Mrs. Dacey shook her head.
Il wouldn't like to live there-thats
alive got to say"
A thrill of appresension ran through
Msrian's Ierves.
."Why 2" -
.Well, Iiss-threre iss5o accounting
for suchv things-but people do tell
strange stories about the Grange being
baunted r.
Haunted I" Marian's clear, bell like
laugh rang through the room with an
Undesirable accent Of relief, What
nonsense As if any one in possession
Of their senss could credit such an ideal
Supper is ready, Miss, said the land
laey, primly.
The Grange, as Marian Ashley first
saw it, by the light Of faint spring
moon, was glaring red brick house, its
northern gables entirely draped with ivy.
Mrs Moreton <as on thessteps to greet
the new comer--a fair pallid old lady,
with siivery curls, and dress of pearl
! Il am glad To- you, my DEAR" she
hid. pressing the cold little hand. You
- hnSe had dTeary ride.
Arian Ashley knew that she
her employer.
30 new and strange to her.
<5hall, with narrow strips OF Per
eeAeting laid along their centre in
- xSag corridors, where weird faces
at her from the canvass of
ortraits; the light streaming
gh stained glass easements
-, seeming to bar the floors with
[arlet and gold, and deep, tremuious
Dkiolst; while s,asssthe dweliers in the
roomy mansion, Except the servants, were
Mrs. Moreton, her son Aldebert, and
herself.
Aldebert M6seton The name was
like knight OF romance, and so was its
owner. Marians heart throbbed with
o singular sensation, as she yentured once
or twice to glance slyly at him as he sat
opr9site to her at the table.
II hope you like your room, Miss"
said the old Eousekeeper, as she glanced
around the apartment to which she had
conducted Miss Ashley.
ssIt is beautiful room," said Marian
1but 1t is large enough for half oozen.
sThe whole house is large, Miss
@Tell me" said Marian, drawing closer
to the old woman, "what is it about this
house beinf haunted?''
sAlrs. Bro smiled. ~
"Peopls Il talk, Miss. she Aaid, sand
it's no use trying to stop EN-. Aud the
truth IL, strange things have happened
in this house, although it is haunted by
nothing worse than sad memories. When
I was in my prime. it was different place
Master Aldebert is the last and youngest
Of three as noble boys as ever made an
old place glad"
..And what has become of the others?''
"Ths eldest is dead" Mrs Brett an
swered, in whisper. sIfe lies in
bloody grave, stricken down by the hand
of his owo brother 10 a sudden fit OF
passion. Poor Dir. Hugh he fed the
country to escape from justice, and died
in France Itneariy killed my mistress,
snd-Hushl there's her bell now, aud
must 20.
And with hurried adieu, the old
housekeeper FASTENED away
SO this was the history of Moreton
Grange Marian Ashley shuddered as
she sat alone by the FIRE, fancying the
cry Of murdered man in every sigh of
the wind and seeing the hutter Of ghost
ly garments in the shadows that lurked
in the far end Of the huge room.
Yet, as the days went by, tho old
Grange assumed home like look to her
Mrs Moretou was all gentle sweetness,
ard AIdebert chiyalric kindness endear
ed him ipexpressibiy to the solitary girl
She began to feel that she had found q
refuge. Bnt it was not destined to en-
durs long
She was sitting at her window one
moonlight night in July, long after the
family had retired to rest, when some
thing white and spectral giided across
the luminous space on the iawn--the
figure Of tall man, not unlike Aldsbert
Moreton.
She started up with eight scream,
and buried her face in the draperies Of
the window.
aThe ghost !" she gasped. almost iDau
dibiy; 'the ghost" |"
Nor did sh3 rest until she h1 taken
refuge in Mrg Moreton's room
The old lady listened to her tale with
trembling silence.
My DEAR, said she. you ara mists
hen The dEeliers Of angihsr world are
pever allowed 70 come back to haunt
this. You we're asleep you dreamed
-. Il