Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-11-19


by herself, on "The Missionary Duties
and privileges of Married Women" the
bond of sympathy was complete. He
was the first person who owned to hav-
ing read her little book without being
pressed to do SO by the authoress, and
she felt grateful to him, and happy-so
happy, in fact, that she failed to detect
the slight &C 1uaintance with the book
which his comments and criticisms i'm
piled, until he had rapidly glanced over
a few pages of it.
Miss Annersleigh would not hear of
her visitor returning to the post-town
that night, as he proposed, especially as
he wished to see the vicar of the parish
early next morning. Besides the re-
turn involved walk of several miles,
and it was now dark and threatening
rain. So Mr.. Barstead reluctantly al
lowed himself to be persuaded to occu-
by the spare bedroom, which Brewer,
the man of all work, was directed to see
prepared.
Brewer, who had caught the last of
the protests of the guest, thought it
somewhat odd that visitor who came
bring large Gladstone bag with him.
but surprises were common at that
house, and he held his tongue.
Several times during the evening the
hostess casually introduced the name
of the late curate; and she recalled af-
terward that her visitor invariably po-
litely averted any further remarks on
that subject.
The evening passed very agreeably,
the advent of the entertaining stranger
proving a pleasant break in the monot-
ony that had prevailed Somerscourt
since Mr.. Hartley's death, and the old
lady lay awake some time evolving
schemes for prolonging the stay of her
visitor.
At breakfast, next morning, Mr.
Barstead appeared singularly dull and
distract. He repudiated the notion of
indisposition kindly suggested by his
hostess, but on her pressing the point
he admitted not feeling altogether as he
should like.
"The fact u.s." he said half APOLOGIZE
cally, II had rather bad night"
Miss Annersleigh looked up over her
spectacles, and calculated an interroga-
tory, "1ndeed?"
eyes," he continued, diffiden fly; "I
had a very remarkable dream, or vision.
In fact, it was so vivid that I can hardly
believe it was dream"
"You don't say So" remarked Miss
Annersleigh, with painful earnestness.
"What was it?"
"Well, if I were a believer in the
I should say most en-
phatically that tall, dark man, in the
dress of a clergyman, stood by the side
of my bed, and beckoned me to follow
him."
Miss Annersleigh stared with aston
ment.
GA clergyman, did you say?" she
gasped.
Eyes; most decidedly. He was
rather pale, and L should think about
45 years of age. He carried in his hand
why, bless me, yes, it was that very
Oooki" exclaimed Mr.. Barstead, indicat-
ing vellum-bound cash-book upon an
adjacent table. which was the book in
which the departed curaJe used to keep
a record of Miss Annersleigh's fnan-
cial dealings with her multifarious
charities.
Now, Like most persons sufficiently
to be eccentric, Miss An
nersleigh was, when she pleased, very
shrewd and calculating, and, though
not indisposed to subscribe to the theo-
RES of the ghost she was not SO
,redulous as to be blind to the chances
Of deception. A moments reflection
the hypothesis that Mr.. Bar
stead had been told by the servants that
i man had died in his room, and that
he vision was the effect of morbid cogi-
'ations, or even nervousness.
Have any of the servants told you
what has occurred in this house?" she
asked.
"Told me what has occurred! You
surely don't mean to say that the house
las the reputation OF being haunted?"
Certainly not that I am aware of
out there has been death here" she
added, slowly.
"Then please don't tell me any more"
quickly interrupted Mr.. Barstead. II
lad assumed as much, but assure you
had no knowledge of the fact. But
since you have told me this, my curios-
ty las been aroused, and while, dis
claiming any belief in the supernatural,
am anxious to be afforded All oppor-
unity of investigating an alleged phe-
1omena. L must confess that my dream
has made very great impression upon
ne, as you have doubtless observed.
Nay [ ask if the description I gave you
pears any resemblance to that of the
person you say died here?"
1t is exact, said Miss Annersleigh, in
IN awesome whisper. sand that incident
# the book is marvellous. He had it so
much in his possession"
Mr.. Barstead appeared thunderstruck
md unused minute before again speak
ng. "This is most remarkable" said he.
I have been frequently told that I am
Medium"
"a medium!" exclaimed Miss Anners-
eigh, excitedly, the revelation having
made a deeper impression upon her than
,he cared to own.
eyes; a medium, and, as such,
should have the faculty of seeing ghosts