Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-12-02

fire in the admirably furnished Kitchen
and while drying ourselves-for the
trunks not having come We had no
change Of clothing-held conference
with regard to supper.
decided on sending her TO purchase
such things as we needed for a hasty
meal, and, said l, as she was about to
vanish upon this errand, ''Be careful
that you don't get lost, Sarah. Re
member the number and street, and
repeated both, which she in turn re-
peated after me. And now [ was alone
in the strange house-haunted it was
said, and certainly for years untenant-
ed. My misadventures had made me,
perhaps, a little nervous.
Sitting by the fire, | listened eagerly
for Sarah return, and so long quarter
of an hour passed, and then another,
and finally an hour, and yet she did not
come back.
| I confess that was frightened. And
Reginald--where was he? On and on
slipped the minutes-the hands Of the
Dutch clock which, for occupation, |
had wound up and set going seemed
to tick them off like seconds. Nine
rang out and [ could have cried Great
Heaven! what could it all mean? Where
were they-my husband and the girl?
something must have happened to
both.
Ten o'clock sounded noisily behind
me, and | could have screamed this
time. The 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 a 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 I
wished / we're safe back in the little
cottage had left.
At last [ reached the bedroom
Isplendidly furnished, like the whole
establishment, but gloomy and murky
as asepulchre. | glanced at the bed
with a shrinking curiosity, almost ex-
pecting to see a ghost in it, or some
thing alive and even more horrible
But am bound to say it looked very
hospitable, with its 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 [ saw, not my husband,
but two women emerge-an old lady
and her maitland both were distinct
ly 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 l heard the front door
shut with crash.
After another instant Of dreary
silence, [ heard Il 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,
Iopened the door.
Cautiously | went along the CORFU
dor until reached the stairs, and
here, with my heart in my mouth,
stopped, for on the wall I saw the re-
Election of ight-a light that was not
standing still, but advancing.
would have turned back, but could
not, and Il moment later figure APP
peared ascending the stairs-the ap-
partition Of an elderly, stout women,
evidently a 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
municate," / heard her say. "Sir AL
bert Albertswyth, you know, killed in
Monmouth Bebellion-the battle OF
Sehgemore. Sir Edward is present; he
has a secret to tell; there are some pa
pers hidden" and turning her fine
brown eyes in my direction, she saw
ME.
She approached me with her hand
some but rather wild smile, and
could not stir, and in few seconds she
was standing by my side
"Oh!" she said, with a little infection
of surprise, 'it is you. expected you
my dear; [ have been waiting for YOU
ever so long"
81 am Lady Alice Isle, my dear
don't be afraid" she continued, q
hid Nelthorpe and Hickes in the chin
ney, expected you tonight. There
was "a star ofblood on the white horse
signal, you know, and | understood
My 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 anC
me, understand"
was sinking with terror. She helC
her lips close to my ear, and whispered
glancing all the while over her Shout
der; and then drawing back suddenly
she laughed.
''But, after all, am not afraid, she
said; Il have been in Egypt since Mon
day-Upper and Lower both; and [ saw
the Saracen on his camel, with Il red
cloak on and fez with tassel of greer
, l-MahOmet's color-come to the great