The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-15
4 HAUNTED CORRIDOR,
And the Lovely Ghost that was
MaterialiZed there.

gigantic monsters from some foreign shore.
From the walls frowned down dark old family
portraits and the crimson bangiDgs above the
arched doors waved rcstlessly back and forth
in the draughts of wind that swept through
the vast corridor.
Il don't believe a word of it," repeated
Aunt RebcCca, with more emphasis than before.
:" A ghost story, indeed"
"Tcn me about il, Violet" said young
HazelwOod, 10 when the deep bay-window,
with its iar-0f prospect OF snowy hills, yelled
IN gathering Nv light, 10 say nothing Of pretty
Violet Ornes close vicinsge, were infinitely
more attractive than the more modern regions
OF A.nwick Place.
at is not much OF q story" said Violet,
flushing up to her very eyelashes at the sound
of her own soft voice; only, years ago, long
before my great randpapa bnllt this house, the
site was all one unbroken wood, and there was
8 tradition that beautiful girl was murdered
by her lover. Der grave, they said, was be-
meath the foundation of the house; but
scarcely credit this part of the legend
"0f course not" interrupted Miss Rebecca,
with toss of her false curls have no
patience with the relics of old superstition.
q" What are you locking for AuntG Have
you dropped anything? Shall call for Harris
60 brings candle2' asked Violet, moment
afterwards. coming TO her aunt's SIDE
Nothing. nothing" said Miss Rebecca. with
q little embarrassment in her voice. Come
oOnt stay here any longer IN the blIing c0d,
unless you both want weeks medicine and
doctors visits"
at is not cold. Aunt Rebecca," pleaded
Violet, land the starlight is so beautiful on
the stone pavement just lot US wait until that
fiery planet mounts little higher"
But peTemptOry summons from Col. Orme
himself, vino had just walked from coInforta-
bic nap beside the glowing IRE IN the library
90 sort Of vague wondeEas to . where Rebecca
and the young people could possibly be-"
speedily settled the matter.
Never mind. Violet" whispered Charles
HazelwOod; by and by, when your father has
RoGe TO his room and Aunt Rebecca is busy
with her curl papers IN her own special dorlni-
tory, we can have a starlight stroll through
the ghosts territory ]"
Violet gave him an arch glance as she tripped
after Aunt Rebecca into the hail which led to
Col. Orme's brilliantly lighted library.
wish Capt. HazelwOod wouldn't remain
cut there" said Aunt Rebeccs snxiously.
he viii catch his death Of cold; and, be-
nides" -
"Besideg what, Aunt Rebacca?"
'Kiolet" said the maiden lady, ] wish you
would 20 down and see If the housekeeper hiss
prepared that poSset fox my sore throat, that's
good girl. ! think ] shall 90 TO bed"
Violet went TO execute her sant's behestk.
How peacefully the distant hills and valleys
Elepi in their snowy n.antles that glorious De-
painting execHted with brushes dipped in
liquid pearl, and shaded WITH pencils vi glim-
Dering siiveri
AT least so they seemed to Charles Hazel
wood as he stood IN The deep recess Of the 81
fantjc bay window, nearly hidden by the cur
tains the faded splendOT of whose tarnished
embroidery carried the lalnd unconsclOusly
o century backward ca the stream Of time
Bus. then, Charles Hardwood was ia love.
The tEil, oid-fashioned clock in the hall wa:
striking twelve. and the Colony OF crickets
under The warm heaTtn-stone were falling into
O oEe2ny. sleepy sort Of chirp as If their small
lungs were fairly WesrieG ont wien Aunt
Bebecca emerged from her dcar, trcading on
tiptOe, and carrying din Light in her hand
Now, Aunt Rebsec3 ia n0dGing Ease c3rls,
lace couture and eighteen year-old style OF
dress was q very Ierent sort Of Parsonage
from Aunt Rebeccs with her head tied up IL a
silk handkerchief. her false curlz laid aside
and long white dressing-r0be euveloping her
lslk figure; and the latter WAS by no mean:
the more prcn0ssassIIg OF the two.
Probably some such consciousness swept
scross the good spinsler's brain, Tor she shut
fed with accelerated rapidly past the solemn
eyes Of the grave old family portraits on the
wall
~ am snreI dropped them somewhere here
Ehe murmured, pansing IN front OF the bay-win
dow. How provoking There goes my candl.
out Bat ] believe ] esn find them, however
the starlight is 60 bright Mercy upon u
what is that The ghost the ghOsti"
and Amt Rebeeca led shriekiHg down the
corridor, her hands clapped over her eyes
before which was imprinted the appalling
VISION Of q tall figure sweeping past all il
white, with crimson stain ST its psliiC
throati
The house was aroused into instantaneou
comm0tion, lights flashed into brightness a
the various doors, and 81 eager circle of IN
quireTs surrounded Aunt Rebacca, who eyincet
strong symptoms OF an intention TO go int
Mysteries
1t glided past me ike q gust Of wind =
abe shrieked, replying ST hazard 10 the cues
lions rained down upon her-"an in white
with that dreadful mark Of blood upon it
throat. It's warning know it's warning
that haven't long 10 live Oh, what shall
&o-what shall ] do2"
But don understand what ycu were doinl
out in the Ghosts Corridor at this time 0
night" interrupted Col. Orme, staring at hi
sister as IL rot quite certain whether this wen
al actual occurrence IN real life or merely
hsgmentary part Of bis last dream.
:" Well. Il you must know said Miss Re
becca. with little hysteEic sob q droppes
my false teeth there just at dusk, and ! didn'
like 70 look FOR them there with Violet ant
Capt. Hazeiwood standing by, and so-ani
noH
"oho. that's it, chr" said Col. orme
lsnghing. Upon my word, Sister Becky Vol
are rather over particular for woman fit,
ye&rs Old"
" Only forty nine, james, interrupted Mis-
Eebecczy with shrill accent Of indignation.
But the ghostz" Inquired young Hazel
wood, who had just arrived on the scene Q
actaoB, with rather flushed brow and en-
berrassed air
Upon which Aunt Rebeccs gave way 70 th
combined influences OF her brothers unkind re
mark and the fright Of ghogt-seeing and fairl,
zEinted without further notice According d
She usual custom Of womankiad on such occs
Eions, Col. OrTne and ali the other gentlenel
were hustled out into the hall, while the victim
sf the female officials was oeluged with eau d
eeiogne, stibed with burnt feathers, and vigor
ensly treated with hot flannel.
"She's coming 70, poor dear creature :" wa
abe FINAL verdict hurled al Col Oz1ne through
arack In the door.
well, i am glad Of IL, Pm sure" said th
Colonel dolefully, rubbing his hands, for it
cold out here il the hall. Why, hilloai
thiE you, my little Violet. What's the matter
You haven't seen ghost, hopper"
"No, papa" faltered Violet, but -
Suppose we three adjourn into the librar,
CO. Orme, and ] wiz undertake the task of e1
xlsnatlon," iuterposed Charles HRzelwoo(
while Niolets checks grew like fame.
Wei, may venture 10 inquire what all TIL
Ee&nst" INTERCEPTED the bewildered Colons
when the library door was safely closed
Ii means, sir" said Charles, laughing. vet
Nttls puzzled how to prooeed that giolet