River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-12-02

lfflle. Inc coal was burning low, and
| had no idea of going into the cellar
for more, but what should do when
the fire expired?
At eleven O'Clock nothing but ashes
remained, and | burst into tears.
They relieved me little, | deter
mined to go up stairs to bed. With
the candle in my hand, went into the
passage, and trembling in every limb,
assembled the stairs Horribly dismal
and damp was the old house; how /
wished J we're safe back in the little
cottage l had left.
Al last reached the bedroom
splendidly furnished, like the whole
establishment, but gloomy and murky
as asepulchre. glanced at the bed
with a shrinking curiosity, almost ex-
pecting TO see ghost in 1t, or some
thing alive and even more horrible.
But am bound to say 1t looked very
hospitable, with it, snowy pillows and
counterpane; and undressing quickly as
possible, got into it Just as the clock
struck midnight, and my candle sput-
tered Up with a sudden CLEAN and
went out.
The rain had cased, and the moon
shone in. | lay still. trying to think
clearly about all that had happened,
and to explain it. Just as | was busy
with my first theory, heard carriage
drive up to the door. Reginald, of
course!
With cry of joy, l sprang to the
window and looked out. From the
carriage below l saw, not my husband,
but two women emerge-an old lady
and her maitland both were distinct
" visible as they went up the steps and
entered the house.
Then | remembered the story my
husband had told me. With beat
ing heart | listened, but for ten or
twenty minutes nothing followed and
then suddenly / heard the front door
shut with crash
After another instant of dreary
silence, heard a sound of music from
the parlor-a very quaint, old-fashion-
ed air, played not at all in time, now
rapidly, now slowly, at the piano, So
the house was haunted; there could be
no question of it.
got out of bed and dressed myself,
determined to quit the place at once.
What day. The first of the merry,
merry month of May" And what a
night!
Quaking, shivering, sick at heart, /
opened the door.
Cautiously | went along the CORFU
dor until | reached the stairs, and
here, with my heart in nv mouth, |
stopped, for on the wall l saw the re-
Hantiop of a LIGHT l;Obt tbot ,,yoC not
standing still, but advancing
would have turned back, but could
not, and moment later figure APP
peared ascending the stairs-the APP
partition of an elderly, stout women,
evidently lady, with beautiful grey
hair, and large, strange eyes. She was
dressed in costly black silk and in her
hand carried lamp.
She was smiling and talking softly to
herself with great volubility.
''Sir Edwards spirit wishes to COM
bert Albertswyth, you know, killed in
Monmouth Bebellion-the battle Of
Sehgemore Sir Edward is present; he
has secret to tell; there are some pa
pers hidden" and turning her fine
brown eyes in nay direction, she saw
ne
She approached me with her hand
some but rather wild smile, and |
could not stir, and in a few seconds she
was standing by my side.
"Ohp' she said, with little infection
of surprise, dit is you. | expected you,
my dear; | have been waiting for you
ever so long"
II am Lady Alice Lisle, my dear
don't be afraid" she continued, Il
hid Nelthorpe and Hickes in the Chin
ney, l expected you tonight. There
was 81 star of blood on the white horse
signal, you know, and [ understood.
Ny answer was-speak low or we shall
be overheard-it was fower-de-luce
and skein of gold; spiritual signs, you
see, which only the spirits, like you and
me, understand"
| was sinking with terror. She held
her lips close to my ear, and w hispered,
glancing all the while over her Shout
der; and then drawing back suddenly
she laughed.
But, after all, | am not afraid" she
said; 81 have been in Egypt since Mon
day-Upper and Lower both; and | saw
the Saracen on his camel, with red
cloak on and a fez with tassel of green
-Mahomet's colOr-cOme to the great
mountain by tie Red Sea. He told me
not to fear; he will be with us tonight
also, the chief of the white spirits. He
will communicate with you, and the
sign will be toad with eyes of ruby
and skin milk white. You will know
him by that"
She laid her thin, wrinkled and very
pale hand on my arm, and murmured,
with sudden caution, 1--WE are watch
ed, though. She was with me awhile
ago, but has gone out and will be back
soon. have been trying to get rid of
her for a long while. | have found the
way at last-poisonl But don't breathe
it. It's Il great discovery-a secret. l
know how to poison people through
their dreams" she whispered. "What
do YOU think of that? | learned from
an evil spirit. \ bad dream poisons
the veins of the brain. Do you see?"
umph.
With the strength of despair l made
an effort to spring by her, but she
quickly barred the way, her counte-
nance changing Mt once to fury.
II can harm you if | choose" she
said. 81 have knife in my pocket.
There are ghosts buried in the cellar,
and room for more: Ghosts enough
a:e walking, | should think-white
spirits and black, red spirits and grey
With one more effort | slipped past
her and hurried down the stairs.
Uttering cry of rage. she followed
me; and so began horrid chase
through the house, into rooms and out,
down corridors and up, the dreadful
phantom of the old lady always on my
track; and at last. finding the kitchen
door, ! opened it and dashed into the
yard, Just as | reached the gate po-
liceman seized me.
Come alongr he exclaimed. IL
knew | should have youw
Historically | tried to explain; but
replying with q hateful sardonic laugh,
he told me to "Shut upl"
| sobbed and demonstrated and
threatened him with Reginalds ven
gence; but taking me by the hand, he
led me along the streets until we reach
ed the station-house when he laid the
charge of burglary against me.
The policeman's story was very sim
pie but it revealed my mistake and his.
An intoxicated cabman had taken
me to the wrong house.