Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-01-29
A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

Miss MacWinkle was of that age
when unmarried people are afraid to
60 out into the street unprotected. She
was between thirty-fve and forty. Of
q romantic nature, and rather addicted
to moonlight dreamings, her constant
dread was that some member of the
male sex would. carry her off. She
trembled if she found herself alone IN
a railway carriage with man. She
disliked men in general-they are so
deceitful. Rather easy in her circum-
stances, she had made up her mind
that if she ever did allow herself to be
woodland she laid great stress on the
did-it should be for her money; but In
a general way she deprecated the idea
that she could ever be prevailed upon
to relinquish single blessedness for that
welded state which, she had heard,
was fraught with so many disappolnt-
ments.
Miss MacWinkle, being of good fam
lily, had a pretty extensive circle of &C
quaintances, ard spent most of her
autumn in visiting at country houses
Some weeks ago she received an invi-
tation from a lady who was Instantly
related to her, and whose husband,
Capt. Jaffie, of the royal navy, had re-
Gently purchased an estate in Suffolk
with the proceeds of legacy. On this
estate was a hall which had been form
erly inhabitated by squire of eccen-
trio turn, who, because he lived alone
and minded his own business, was gen
orally suspected Of having intercourse
with the devil. The room IN which
this unfortunate man had died was, of
course, supposed TO be haunted, and
Capt. Jaffie, being facetiOusly disposed,
thought it would be good joke to test
Miss MacWinkle's courage by asking
her whether she would object to sleep
in it. Capt. Jaffie did not exactly like
Miss MacWinkle, and had only invited
her in order TO please his wife; however,
he put his proposal to this lady in the
most courteous way possible at the
dinner table on the evening of her ar
rival.
Dear Miss MacWinkle," said he,
when he saw that she had slipped her
first glass of sherry, 81 am sorry to say
that the room in which we had intend
ed to put you turns out to have
smoky chimney. We have been
obliged to quarter you in a chamber
that has the reputation of being haunt
ed. hope you don't mind ?"
"Oh, dear, no." exclaimed Miss Mac
Wrinkle, rather shrilly; and she allowed
her glass to be reflled. "But what sort
of q ghost is it who haunts the room ?"
''No ghost at all, so far as know"
laughed the captain. SIT is large
handsome room, as you must already
have remarked. 1t has g. fine south
view, and the fireplace draws capitally."
"And there are no noises at nightY"
asked Miss MacWinkle. 81 must tell
you that [ am light sleeper and cas-
lily disturbed"
"There are no noises at all" said the
captain.
"And no draughts Sometimes
rooms are said to be haunted because
the wind whistles through chinks and
crannies."
''rhe room is as air-tigh, as a corked
bottle. You have nothing to fear on
that score"
"And there are no rats or mice, are
there? / must confess to loathing rats,
and mice still more, if possible"
'We have three cats and two terriers
IN the house, so rats and mice have no
chance here" rejoined the captain.
Poor Miss MacWinkle gulped down
half her glass of sherry, and made no
further objections. She was of shy dis
position, and feared to look ridiculous
before the other guests, of whom Their e
were dozen, including two girls of Is
with knocking eyes, but inwardly she
felt uncomfortable, and several of the
ladies present synlpathized with her.
81 think it would have been kinder
to keep the existence of the ghost out
of sight, Capt. Jaffie," said one of these
ladies. Il am afraid that should not
exhibit as much courage as Miss Mac
Wrinkle"
"But there is no ghost, l assure you"
answered the captain. cts only fool
ish rumor got up by idle people"
But it rests on something l sup
poser
"On nothing more substantial than
senseless talk; but if Miss MacWinkle
feels in the least nervous, dare say we
can contrive to put her in another
room, though it may not besuch 8 good
one."
Miss MacWinkle declined the offer,
AMI felt little soothed by the encomi-
ums that were bestowed on her pluck
and good sense. A handsome young
dragon officer. who had been dividing
his attention between the two girls of
eighteen. turned to Miss MacWinkle
and said that the qualities he admired
Il oil Yalo
and courage. Miss MacWinkle blushed.
For few more such compliments she
would have consented to pass her night
N room where COLLINS danced in a
ring, provided, at least, that these imps
did not tor CHI her. She became the
heroine of the evening, and when the
hour arrived for her retiring to bed she
took collected and graceful farewell
of the company.
.'IfI see ghost l will drive him out
of the room, and rely on you to dis
patch him for me-" she said, softly, to
the dragon as she departed.
ooh. yes; believe my room is III the
same passage as yours, and I'll keep a
LOOKOUT" laughed the officer.
"Don't use firearms though"
mo; I'll rout him out with a-poker
or an umbrella"
Everybody was amused; and present,
ly the whole company had dispersed.
Soon after midnig ht the house was
hushed, and even the dragoon, who
ought to have been keeping watch for
the ghost, slumbered IN peace the sleep
Of the just. Throughout the night not
a sound was heard. and the pair OF