The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-05-03

At length hard frost set in, which
efiectually put a stop TO all outdoor
amusement, and obliged us to fall back
on indoor pursuits for our diversion.
And when, one evening, we were all
tired of cards and music, and knew not
what to set about, all hailed it as a
bright idea when a young lady of the
party suggested that we should explore
the disused portion Of the Castle, COM
monty called the west wing.
"Aha, young ladies !" exclaimed Sir
Guy, take care Of yourselves when
you get into the haunted ROOM"
"Is there a haunted room?" | eX-
claimed; chow delightful Come, la
dies, here is the hOusekeeper; let us
follow her, and find the ghost"
Heaven forbid, miss !" said the old
woman, gravely; lit would be an i'll
sight, indeed, and followed by i'll con-
sequences"
ooh; Mrs. Carey" | laughed, "whO
believes in such nonsense as ghosts
| will sleep any night you like in your
haunted chamber, with pleasure, and
| will answer for it no ghost or sprite
will disturb my peaceful slumbers."
"That's right, Kate ~ exclaimed Sir
Guy, laughing. you're brave girl.
| don't believe in the ghost, though
Mrs. Carey there does, and my own
poor mother did also; but she was a
nervous fragile creature, Heaven bless
her-afraid of her own shadow, poor
thing! The ghost is the only family
possession do not value, and for which
| have a secret contempt. But there
| am shocking Mrs. Carey by my ir-
reverence, so be off all of you on your
voyage of discovery"
We followed Mrs. Carey down a long
corridor, which led from the south to
the west wing of the Castle, up along the
oak staircase, through number of dis
used rooms, some paneled with carved
oak, some hung with tapestry, till at
length, pushing open heavy door,
which creaked grimly on its hinges, we
found ourselves in an octagOnal room,
dark and glo0my-lOoking, in spite of
the large oval window facing the rest
that gave light to it, and beneath which
lay the still, deep waters of the mOat,
on which the rays of the winter moon
now sparkled and glittered.
llC lOOlll W dS lul lllSllSu
iu the style of two centuries ago. A
large carved oak four-poster, hung with
deep red curtains, stood in one corner;
beside it, on the right, was an old and
massive chest; and on the left a ward
robe, high, narrow, and curiOusly
carved.
A spinnet stood not far from the i'm
mense hearth, and variously shaped
chairs stood here and there in the
apartment, whilst large mark on the
wall, in the form of a crucifix that had
once hung there in former days. The
place had strange, weird aspect, and
silence fell on us as the housekeeper
said, "This, young ladies, is the haum-
ted chamber"
A cold air, colder than the December
wind, seemed to pervade the apartment,
and some loose pieces of tapestry, hang
ing on the walls, rustled and quivered
in the blast.
"Come away, Kate!" said my cousin
Lucy, shuddering; "come away, do!
There's something horrid here, I'm GER
tain"
"Why, Loor' | cried, taking her by
both hands and looking her in the
face; 81 declare you are quite pale
vow have taken quite fancy to this
room, and shall never be satisfied until
have slept in it."
"What! alone, Katev ~ she replied,
Shivering. ''Indeed, think it will have
to be alone, for none of us would dare
to sleep with you, and as to the maid
servants-But do come away! All
what was that?" she added, as a sound
between a moan and sigh was heard,
followed by pit-pit- -pattering.
"Saints defend usw circulated Mrs.
Carey, who was a devout Catholic,
crossing herself.
Nonsense, girls!" l exclaimed; "it
is nothing but the wind, and the snow
falling from the roof" But they all
took to fight, led by Mrs. Carey. When
left the room | was fain to confess
that | heard heavy football behind
me. | followed the flying croffd, how
ever, with slow and dignified pace. l
felt no fear, but only an intense curiosity
and feeling of determination to in
quire into the secrets of this haunted
apartment more closely.
As Christmas drew near, other guests
were added to our numbers and all the
usually occupied rooms of the Castle
were occupied, when Sir Guy received
a letter announcing to him the advent
of relation to whom he could not well
refuse his hospitality.
"My room is at your service, uncle"
said gaily.
"And where will you migrate to,
Kate?" replied he, doubtfully glancing
at Mrs. Carey.
"Oh! to the haunted room, sir" /
replied carelessly. | should really like
it. You know | have no fear Of the
supernatural, so do say yes"
! begged, coaXed, l entreated, and
at last prevailed on Sir Guy to give the
necessary order for my change of
apartment; but Mrs. Carey was far
harder to persuade than Sir Guy, and
it was with the greatest difficulty that /
induced her to have the terrible room
put in order for my reception.
"It's tempting Providence, miss and
laying yourself open to the snares of
the tempter. If Mr.. Gerald were here
he wouldn't allow it, depend on it,
miss, said the good woman.
"Nonsense my dear Mrs. Carey ~ !
replied, laughing. 81 shall sleep here as
soundly and as safely as ! should in the
newest, brightest room In the Castle.
SO good night, Mrs. Carey, and don't
alarm yourself about me-"
The rope beside the chimney-piece
rings the alarm, Miss, should you re-
quired help" she replied, gravely, and
left the room.
Before getting into bed / examined
my new apartment; the embers glowed
on the hearth, and / put on log or
two to keep up the fire. Now that the
place had been busted, and the furni-
ture set in order, the room didn't look
so weird; and yet--and yet--well, l
was not sorry when / found myself in
bed, and the candle safely put out |
felt odd. but. for all that. | soon fell