Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-24

10 grow suddenly darker. L am certain that
left to myself, 1 should at that moment have
tainted right away. for the whole thing had
been so sudden and found me so unprepared
that 10 nv confusion l forgot all about the
white figure seemed to be approach
ing the curtained windows | saw
two dark figures dash quickly upon it from
behind, then a sharp and violent Struggle. In
which all three rolled on the aoor. as II locked
together In a deadly embrace. The white fgure
had managed to wrench one arm loose. and in
another moment there was the sharp click of a
pistol. Thanks to our forethought, the weapon
was harmless. By this time the noise OF the
Struggle that was going on had brought the
oaek ,s,11 IA, ana Andrew up to my apartment;
few secondssmanacle1 and led forward TO the
light, his white garment-an old surpce-
hanging In tatters about him. He was at once
known 10 the majority OF the company-tt was
the steward. He turned his back on me with a
Sttied oath.
Leaving him now helpless, with his hands
fast behind his back, In charge OF the black
smith. Mr.. BurTowes led the way TO the house
keeper S rooms below, the door of which was
found to be locked. II was at once burst open,
and taking candle with u.s. we entered. The
outer room was in the same condition as had
seen 1t during the day; but the inner room
showed the bed drawn forward and the panel
ing OF the recess which we had discovered
standing open. Nobody was there Taking
the candle forward. TO examine the recess Mr..
BurrOWeS found the box had a movable bot
tom In addition to that which we mad dis
covered. ana that by It's removal an opening
sufficient for one perSCn at time TED
down trap-stair into the cellar below. Mr..
Burrowes and the Joiner at once descended,
taking the light with them. the rest OF Us Wal
Ing as directed in the outer apartment, or
watching the Hobbies that led to it. In a Few
minutes heard sudden footsteps in my bed
room, and rushing Uhlther found that Mr.. Bar
roNeS and the Joiner had reached 1t from the
cellars, into which the Jrap-door LED. the whole
Oh Inc WOODWORK OF one side OF the window OF
my room being ingeniously made to move back
hat
IL could lot be opened by any one in the room.
Mhen The steward was searched there was
louna on him beside the pistols bunch OF du-
piicaIe Keys. which could open any chamber or
o'ner lockfaSt place. in the house.
Inc constable having been called In from the
garden. the steward. who had hitherto stood
silent ana suiien. with a dark expression OF
malice and revenge upon his face was handed
over TO him. and he was instructed by his slpe-
TOT 10 convey MIN TO the local police Office and
place him In cell. The blacksmith he ordered
10 accompany the constable and see that the
prisoner did not effect an escape
Mean!lne the gardener. who, since the
'gnoSt mao been discovered TO be but flesh and
blood like himself, had become as bold as a lion
volunteered TO stay in the house with us ali
night and help me to soOthe the Tears OF my
poor terrified Children. while Mr.. BurroweS
accompanied by the Joiner proceeded TO the
mouse or the steward. / need not burden the
reader with details, but may mention that In
answer to quiet tap at the window the door
or the house was Immediately opened and Old
Mrs. Weevil was at once In the grip OF the of
hcer She was absolutely thunderStruck, aud
quite lost her presence OF mind. Without tell
ing her anything OF what had happened Mr.
EurroWeS asked for her son. the steward. AT
first she hesitated, then said he was III In bed.
No, said MIR. Burrowes - he is not in bed
Out he Is safe enough by this time In the pO-
lice office: so you had better just tell us all
about it,
At this Mrs. Weeyil entirely broke down and
confessed all. IL Is unnecessary to repeat al
length what tie reader can guess In great meas.
ure Tor himself but the sum OF her story was
this The mother equally with her son, hated
Miss Roupel for despising his addresses, and
took the means we have seen in order 10 drive
each successive tenant out OF her house. She
also admitted that after the sudden death OF
Mrs Roupel 1t was they who had spread the
stories Charging foul play against the daugh-
Ter. In answer 10 question from Mr.. Bur
roWeS she confessed that IL was she who had
played the ghost on the previous evening: but
she had never before shown herself to any one
who did not at once flee and quit the house
My attempt to get hold or her, therefore, had
SO alarmed her that she had great difficulty In
escaping; and next morning had gone to her
son ana told him she burst not play the part of
ghoSt any longer, as the present tenant was
likely to stand her ground. ana they would In
tnat way be found out They were both en-
ragged at thus being at last bafIied In their long
cherished course OF malicious practices against
Miss Roupel; and her son determined to take out
MS revenge upon me that night by first fright
9lng me and Then ro0bing the house, AFTER
which they We're resolved 10 take the first
opportunity OF quitting that part OF the coun-
try. Their cupidity had been aroused by the
sight OF some trinketS In Indian lewelry which
| possessed; hence the design TO roD me. In
order to cover their purpose the old bag was
sent 10 me with the story or her son being i'll;
ard as he had secret means Of access TO the
house, ne readily affected an entrance after he
supposed the family asleep 1t was her son
VINO had first put her upon these evil practices
had brought the old surplice from Lord BIS
house, in which either OF them, as occasion
ohered was in the habit OF terrifying the in
mates, and thus depriviDg the innocent object
OF their hatred OF her CHER means OF livelihood.
Mr.. BurroWeS did not trouble to apprebend
the OLD woman at th3t time but he took care
that she should not leave the country till after
the trial OF her son for houSebreaking and
felony, when she had to appear against him as
witness. He was found guilty and sent TO
penal settlement. Mrs. Weeyil. ashamed to
show face in the neighborhood, departed no one
knew whittier.
AS for the ghost story, as sooD as It's salient
points were known in the neighbOrhood the
house not only lost its bad character but be
came for the time quite kind OF heroine. every
body pra1sing my courage and sagacity. had
the pleasure, some weeks later, of entertaining
in the house Mrs. Richard Egerton. the former
Miss Roupel, whom the neigh OOrhoOd. conscious
CT unjust condemnation, received with open
AIMS After the term OF my tenancy expired
the charming house let for a more suitable
rent, and ever since, believe. il has formed an
adequate source oftncome to its worthy owners.
-f'fGfnfp1S' JOsI'DnI.