Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-12-14
THE PHANTOM COACH.

some wears ago ! was travelling agent
ior II firm in London. My mother lived
in the village OF T"wnley, where | was
born and brought up, and where fell
in love with Bessie Maple; but her
father was Il rich miller and | was poor.
AMI worst Of all, she had rich suitor
Bessie loved me, and declared that
she would never marry Jonas Wood
leigh; but she would not promise to
marry me without her fathers consent.
lie said to me-
"Whcn you can settle 1000 pounds
on my daughter, as Mr.. Woodleigh is
willing Ia do, you can marry her, but
not before and in the meantime please
to keep away from Bessie, us | have
forbidden her to have anything to say
Ia you"
had no prospect Of ever being worth
such sum, and could only hope that
in time Miller Maple would rclent.
II was on the evening of the. thirty
first of October that | was passing
through the village OF BSrthshire with
my samples of goods, and took lodging
for the night ut small inn called "The
swan" Strolling out met my friend
Tom Jones, who was stopping at the
Choose and Gridiron," an inn mile
ar two ON, and who persuaded me to 90
ond take supper with him. There were
number Of guests in the room, and
after supper Tom ordered bowl OF
punch and invited all to join us in
having a jolly time.
In the course Of the evening some one
remarked that ait was IIallow Eve, and
Wondered if Lady Barbara and the
pirate would be on the road tonight "
AZ Tom and ! had not heard theil story
the landlord related it.
"About mile from here, overlooking
the sea, stands the ruins of Greyclitfe
Castle. A hundred years ago it was
occupied by Lord Allanstane, his two
sons, and his beautiful daughter, Lady
Barbara. The lady in her rambles
around the rocks and shore met and
fell in love with a handsome young man
whom nobody knew, but who, it is
said, was pirate.
zone night Gt was IIallow Eve) she
managed 10 get out of the castle, and
met her lover in the woods at twelve
o'clock. A carriage was waiting for
them on the road.
at happened tina. Lord Allanstane' s
SONS were returning home from neigh
boring town, and Az the lady ard her
lover emerged from the shadow of the
wood the moonlight shone full upon
them, and the young men recognized
their sister. The lovers entered the
carriage and il was driven rapidly off
The brothers spurred their horses and
followed. The chase continued for Il
mile or more, when the brothers came
up on each side of the carriage and fired
their pistols into the windows. The
lady and her lover were both killed.
Then, IA the driver urged his horses on,
one Of the young men pulled out an
other pistol and shot him. They took
the body Il their sister from the coach, ,
and returned with it to the castle.
at is said that every Iallow Eve at
twelve o'clock coach rapidly driven,
and two horscmen in pursuit, can he
rttIt gtiilG uOW titt IOttt. Is
said that il il lucky for lovers to meet
them, for in such case, if one is disap-
pointed in love or has any obstacles in
the way Of his marriage, the troubles
will be all removed, and he will marry
the one he loves. | cannot say if this
in true, ~ | have never seen any one
who has met the ghostly chase, and in
fact think people rather avoid that
part Of the road at midnight on Iallow
Fen for fear of seeing it,
l'y this time the punch had had 4
very exhilarating effect, and felt brave
enough tn meet hundred ghosts
"Thcn," said | 81 hope shall meet
the party on my way back, for am in
need Of their good services, being in
love, and with little hope Of success"
After this the conversation changed,
and the story was soon forgotten. The
clock striking twelve aroused me to the
recollection that had my goods to sort,
and some waiting to do that night, so
a. Ia lr early on my way in the morn
ing; so said good night Ia the company
and started to walk back To my inn.
~ went hriskly down the road in
the bright moonlight, with my thoughts
ON Bessie, my foot slipped on stone
and rolled into the ditch at the side OF
the road, wrcnching my ankle in my
effort to recover myself. When | at
tempted {" get up my ankle was so
painful that could not stand. and as
! set rubbing il ! saw Il carriage coming
down the road. A. it approached it
appeared To he empty | called to the
driver and asked him If hc would take
me To- the Swan" Instantly the
coach stopped and the door flew open
of itself did not at the time pay any
attention to this remarkable circum-
stance, hut hobhlcd up and managed
after much difficulty to seat myself in
side The coach started off Ikea whirl-