The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-01-01
A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

MISS MAC W NIKE was OF That age when
unmarried ladies are afraid TO 90 out
into the street unprotected. She was
between So and 40 OF a romantic ma
ture. and rather addicted to moonlight
dreamings, her constant dread was that
some member of the male sex would en-
deavor 70 carry her off. She trembled
if she found herself alone in q railway
carriage with man. She disliked men
in general-they are so deceitful /!
Rather easy in her circumstances, 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
he prevailed upon to relinquish single
blessedness for that welded state which,
she had heard, was fraught with so
many disappointmests.
Miss MacWinl,le, being of good fam
lily, had a pretty extensive circle of ac-
quaintances, and spent most of her au-
tumn in visiting at country houses.
Some weeks ago she received an invita-
ton from a lady who was diStantly re-
lated 10 her, and whose husband, Capt
Jaffie Of the Royal Navy, had recently
purchased an estate in Suffolk with the
proceeds of 4 legacy. On this estate
was q hall which had been formerly in
habited by a squire OF eccentric turn,
who, because he lived alone and minded
his own business, was generally suspect
ed OF having intercourse with the devil.
The room in which this unfortunate man
had died was, of course, supposed to be
haunted. and Capt Jaflle, being face
tiouslv disposed, thought it would be u
good Joke to test Miss MacWinkle's
courage by asking her whether she
would object to sleep in it. Capt. Jafile
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 cour-
teous way possible at the dinner table
on the evening of her arrival.
f"Dear Miss MacWinkle,n 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 in
tended to put you turns out to have a
smoky chimney. We have been obliged
to quarter YOU in chamber that has
the reputation of being haunted. l
hope You don't mind?"
. Oh, dear, no. exclaimed Miss
MacWinkle, rather shrilly; and she al
lowed her glass to be relilled. =" But
what sort of a ghost is il who haunts
the room?
- No ghost at all, so far as KNOW"
laughed the Captain. sit IS a large,
handsome room, as you must already
have remarked. 1t has a fine south
view, and the fireplace draws capt.
tally
And there are no noises at night? >
asked Miss MacWinkle. 81 must tell
you that am light sleeper and easily
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.n
The room is as alright as a corked
bottle You have nothing to fear on
that score. -
"And there are no rats or mice, are
there? | mus, confess to loathing rats,
and mice still more, if possible.
eve have three eats and two terriers
in the house, SO rats and mice have
no chance here" rejoined the Cap
tain.
Poor Miss MaeWinkle 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 there
were dozen, including two girls with
moclIing eyes, but inwardly she felt un-
comfortable, and several of the ladies
present sympath;zed with her
q think it would have been kinder
to keep the existence of the ghost out OF
sight, Captain Jaflle." said one of these
ladies. Il am afraid that l should not
exhibit as much courage as Miss Mac
Winl1le''
"But there is no ghost, assure
yeu.n answered the Captain. ats
only a foolish rumor got up by idle peo-
pie
But it rests on something, I sup
pose?n
''On nothing more substantial than
senseless talk; but if Miss MaeWinkle
feels in the least nervous, daresay we
can contrive TO put her in another
room, though it may not be such good
one.r ttE
Miss MacWinkle declined the offer,
and felt a little soothed by the encomi-
ums that were bestowed on her pluck
and good sense. A handsome young
dragoon officer, who had been dividing
his attention between the two girls of Is,