The Worthington advance., 1882-08-31

"a remarkably well-bred ghost, I as
sure you. Seldom seen or heard by any
one and never by any guest. Do you
think I would offer you my wing II he
were in full poeeession?" ia. ].
Perhaps moi" &.,.s.E 81 !.
''To be sure, now" said the colonel.
''every old country house has its ghost
and there is generally q legend explain
ing the ghost, but Sergei, / don't think I
ever heard yours -
"For most excellent reason, colonel;
there is none. I am sure Of my ghost,
but entirely ignorant of his story, and
yet, now that I think Of it, it occurs to
me that my father used to. tell 4 story
he had heard from my grandfather about
4 mysterious duel fought in that wing
long ago, but l declare l have entirely
forgotten the details, If I ever knew
them" "-
II do like old ghost Stories" remarked
the colonel.
"Tell US one, then, colonel"
II wisl, could; but nothing of the
sort ever happened to me or to any of
my family, and should have enjoyed it
SO much. My family is not old enough
probably for q ghost, and if it were, anu
not good at telling stories; listening to
them suits my taste far better. But re-
ally as to ghosts, what q very strange
sensation they must producew ..T
"a strange sensation, indeed" said
Mikailitsch, rising to light another cigar.
"Ah! you know it by experience.
Lucky man. Have l not guessed right
ly?" -
Mikailitsch sat down again.
"Yes, some such thing did once hap
pen to me, and It has left an imnres-
sion."
''Do tell 1t to US! It il midnight or
very near it; there is wild storm out
side; everything is appropriate to a
ghost story, and to have it from the suf.
fer's own lips.
onel, what = boy you are. with your
love for the marvellous! like to hear
strange stories, too, but fear this one
will be very stupid!'
Stupid! my dear lady,"
"Could We not talk Of something else?
am sure there are plenty of:subjects
for conversation"
She is afraid of my story, see."
mo. I am not 30 silly rs that"
IF the story would annoy anyone, oi
s course say no more." said the disap.
ut g really quite immaterial to me
whether he tells the story or not. I on
ly thought something else might afford
us all more entertainment"
"fou permit me, then. to relate it?"
She shrug led her shoulders. II care
very little about it one way or the 9th.
er."
..Do let him tell it; you may find your.
self very deeply Interested"
'"rhe story, the story, by all means, ,
exclaimed Sergei.
Madame Mikaiiitsch closed her eyes
and leaned further back in her chair
the colonel filed his glass again and the
host assumed an attitude Of attention.
About ten years ago" began the mar.
rator, "at Il time when l was 30 unfor.
tunate AZ to be still bachelor with 8
bow to his wife, was obliged to 20 tc
Variloff on business. Variloff isa coun
try town, which, at that time, after hav.
ang been a tiourishing little place, had
gradually fallen into decay, owing TO its
not being on the line Of the new rail
road. Fancy a."
"Why need We fancy anything? We
all know what such towns are," said his
wife, in a tone of remonstrance. "How
DO you spin things out"
"Well, then. allow me to say that
arrived at the little town in oustion in
the evening, and ascertaincd that tn.
two hotels; once tolerably we'll known
by travellers, were now closed and their
place supplied by restaurant, where !
got respectable dinner. As my STAY
was to be Of about weeks duration
l took some trouble to find a
lodging. not wishing to tax the hospi-
tallty of the persons with whom had
business. 1nquiring in all directions l
accidentally learned that one of the ho.
tells was in the care of an old couple,
who would probably give me shelter
Thither l hastened and found the old
people: p:PH;. a.:
said the man. All the upper stories are
closed, but there is a room next to the
parlor, which l will show you.'
Taking a bunch Of keys from a nail
on the wall he assembled broad, bare
staircase. / followed close behind. We
passed long rows of closed doors, and
after much effort, he succeeded in open
ing the rusty lock Of the parlor door,
and the shutters being thrown open
found myself in a somewhat spacious
apartment, almost empty, bearing marks
on the dust:covered floor Of having held
biiliard-table in former days.
Through, this We reach the room
You are to have. My wife will put it in
order for you at once
place, containing q round table. q few
chairs, a sofa, an iron bedstead and mat
tress, and against one wall long piece
of furniture resembling piano-one o1
those old-fashioned things with tall, slen
der legs.
CAN old dulcimer,' said my compan.
ion. There happened to be no bid ,or it al
tue sale, 50 here it stays, poor old thing
1t Is IN no.bOdy's way in its old age.
used to play on it myself sometimcs.'
"He opened it; the old strings vibrated
IN weak, rlckety way as he touched the
notes. ''>
"a very sympathetic instrument to
play on: It excites one in q mclancholv
way added he, with sigh, and. CLOSING
1t, turned away. Il hope the room wifi
suit yo1. Come down stairs and have
some tea while Agatha comes up With
"Now we shall here how he drank ten
with the old man." said the :ady. II
never knew he was 50 good storv-tel-
pardon me. I will endeavor to be
brief. I will pass over the tea-drinkinp
1t IS the same all over the world"
You are rather severe upon vour
husband" said the Colonel. "Now |. on
the other hand, when I here a good
story, like to have it spun out az
much as possible. I dislike to omit a
single detail. The interest never flaqs #
you here everything described"
At this juncture the wind blew the BAL
cony door violently open, admitting a
blast of cold air as well asa dazzling fiasi,
Of lightning. The host rose quickly and
shut the door again. The lady turned
pale. - .." ''"
Are you afraid?" asked he.
III so, am not the only one. I saw
all You three men start"
The most courageous persons will
sometimes start ct anything sudden and
unexpected" said Mikailitsch. '>'
Let me see," said the colonel: "vou
lett Oft where you told us that Won Womb
not tel! us about the tea-drinkin9. Please
t0c0ntinue." ''''
by all means. I spent two honrs
with the old man, while his wife. assist,
ed by an old crony of hers, nut INV room
in order. At 10 o'clock they sumInonc,i %
me- offering to light my way. Bidding
the OLD man good night, I followed the