The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-09-01
THE ROUNDwOOD GHOST.


an imposing red brick structure, roomy
enough to furnish homes for dcmure lit
tie mortal like myself.
You will lose yourself in this great
barn of house, Madelon,' said Aunt
Jerushs, who had accompanied me to
Roundwood, to be the ruling divinity OF
the menage.
1T would not be much OF a loss to the
world at large if should"
'Humph | have no prediction for
mistletoe boughs and old oak chests. |
want no such skeletons rising up to muir
der my rest
Trouble comes fast enough without
borrowing it,
AT any rate I've spoken my mind and
not without reason. 1t is doubtful If you
have heard all that have concerning
your new possessions.
Aunt Jerusha looked so solemn that
quickly asked:
What have yod heard p
'Roundwood has ghost You needn't
laugh-it may prove to be no laughing
matter got tho story from the ser.
wants. Not soul of them but is con.
vinced the house is haunted.
Tell me what they say
1t is really quite dreadful, Madelon
They declare that Madam Belgrave can't
rest quietly 10 her grave, but comes back
to her old room night after night, and
walks the floor until morning
Has anybody seen her p
No; but all of them have heard her
pacing up and down the apartment.
'Humph. The ghost must be laid |
don't like the idea of being disturbed at
all hours Of the night by such uucanny
people,
Nor L. dryly. But who will do it p
Il will, was my answer, as | caught q
sun bonnet from the wall, and darted out
into the garden to escape Aunt Jerusha' S
solemn visage, while ! ruminated upon
ways and meaDs,
However, the prim, old-iashioned gar.
den, with its quaint angular walks, and
funny little beds, from which the flowers
lifted bright and smiling faces, as if in
welcome. soon drove all thoughts of the
ghost from my head
wandered up and down the box Dor.
dered paths, peeping into grape arbors,
and snmmer.houses, inhaling the balsamic
odors in the air, and hugging to myself
the delicious sense Of possession until |
grew quite jubilant. Ofall my pleasures
that Of proprietorship was keeuest jus,
then. And why, indeed, shouldn't nice
brick house, with available grounds, be a
Joy forever p
| had reoched the lower portion of the
grounds, and was looking around upon
my domaine with quite the air of an
gra'de princesse, when my gaze suddenly
encountered a free.and.easy figure leaning
over a wicket in the hedge row. Start
ing at the vision,l rubbed my eyes, looked
second time and exclaimed involuntari
ly
Lawrence Belgrave .
The figure lifted his hat and smiled {
cheerful good morning.
Il am no spirit, Mss Lane. DO, pra,
I try to look a trihe less startled and die
mayed
My motion was quite pardonable - an,
for this reason to this man | stood IL
the light of a usurper had cheate,
him out Of his Inheritance. He had beef
nearer related to Madam Belgrave Ill
fact, II sort Of protege Of hers, whcm shc
had brought up with the understandin.
that he was to inherit her coupon bond
and bank stock some day But twent,
months prior to this time, there had beer
a violent quarrel between the old lad,
and Lawrence, he had left Roundwood il
high dudgeon. and to rctaliate, MADAM
Belgreve had left will leaving all he
property to me.
The quarrel was never made up, anC
Madam died very suddenly in a ft,whicl
found her incapable Of expressing an,
last wishes she might have had, so tn
will in my favor was the one produced u
the funeral, and found myself suddenl,
transformed from country schoolma an
with one decent silk and two merinos to
very rich woman with the means TO sup
ply her wardrobe indefinitely.
So you will comprehend that if iel
somewhat dismayed on seeing that vsio
! at the gate, had abundant cause for il
However | mustered up courage, an
went and shook hands with him quite cor
daily.
You did give me quite start, Nj
Belgrave, aud | might as we'll plea
guilty TO it,
Il am sorry Then he stood lookin
at me curiously q momeut. 4 suppose
ought to congratulate you Miss Lane, c
your recent good fortune. Shall p
If you can do it sincerely othe
wise'
He laughed. Then | shall keep II
breath for other purposes.
, Shall you ever forgive me for havil
> supplanted you p
,, Il don't know ; my great expectation
! have turned out nearly as delusive
those of poor Pip. Iought to hate 20
Miss Lane, but | don't-quite
f Thanks for the margin that saves Il
from utter condemnation.
Il cant help thinking he went Oh, I
fiectingly, that Madam Belgrave mea
to restore me to favor finally. and tn
only opportunity was lacking, Pro,
and obstinate us she was, I'm sure s
loved me.
And so. On the strength of that OPT
ion--which may or may not be correct
you expect me to abdicate in your favor
Il did not say So Again his ey
. swept my face curiously. is it in yo
heart to be SO generous
| shook my head.
Remember, I've tasted the cup of pc
- erty-and it is bitter 10 my palate.
seems delightful to be rid OF tho toll 4
anxiety attendant on earning ones o,
living; don think | could take up t
old burden again
Il knew you would like lotoS.eatin
'WhI dosent. for that matter
sides, it has a!l the zest Of new sen.