The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-11-15

of strange sounds and sights; none
of them like to pass it after dark"
IL was sitting thinking that |
should be delighted to occupy Il real
haunted chamber" said Hoist, quiet
". at is IL sin 10 have it remain
unused forever. Perhaps | can help
dispel this foolish superstition, for
| am convinced | shall sleep undis-
turbed.n =
At first the mistress of the house
would not listen to such a plan, but
when the whole party urged, and
Anna clasped herarms beseechingly
around her neck, she at last yielded.
Anna thought the scheme Won
derfully interesting.
at is really terrible that you dare
venture, Candidate Hoist" she said,
''but hope you will look really
frightened when you come to break
fast in the morning"
After supper the whole party went
to the "blue chamber" which mean
time had been put in order to receive
the guest. Every corner was eX-
amined with the utmost care.
The atmosphere was somewhat
oppressive, though the windows
were now open. The room was sell
dom ventilated, and the half moldy
air took the liberty of settling in the
furniture and curtains. 1t had evi-
IDENTIFY always borne the name of
the "blue chamber although the
thick carpet was now faded. The
furniture was very scanty, but what
articles remained were old fashioned.
While time had transformed every
thing else in the ancient manor,
making the stiff carved chairs give
way to comfortable armchairs. and
the old chimney pieces to tile stoves,
this room seemed to have preserved
its former appearance. 1t was de-
livered over to the spirits OF the past;
no one had attempted to drag it into
the present. An article that did not
contribute least in enabling it to re-
tain its ancient character was the
huge, eXquisitively carved four-post
bcdstead, which occupied a large
portion of the room. The apart
ment was the last in one wing of the
manor, looking out upon the grove,
but so near the. ground that Il per-
son, by the display of some agility,
might climb up.
at is not impossible said Hoist,
after a thorough examination of the
chamber, THAT the nocturnal noises
mentioned may have been made by
vagabonds, who settled themselves
| here for a comfortable nights rest.
Victor, do me the favor to get my
pistols; they are in my travelling
satchel; but don't meddlc with the
triggers; they are loaded"
Victor went away with light and
soon after brought the pistols to his
brother. The latter primed them
freshly, put on new caps and laid
them on the table.
Nov. good night, ladies and gem
tlemcn. wish you all as comfort
able rest as | expect to have my
self"
"Good night, wicked Freethinker, y
said Anna, half admiringly; 81 hope
you will have different opinions in
the morning"
As they all went out Victor whis-
pcrcd to Anna; I'm answer for it
that he shall be thoroughly fright
ened."
The door was locked and Candi-
date Hoist remained alone in the
blue chamber. The sounds of foot
steps and voices died away, he lis
tened at the door, but all was still.
Going to the window he stood
there few minutes looking at the
grove. The soft night breeze stirred
the leaves and branches. Only the
nearest trees could be dimly distin-
guished. Beyond all was dense
impenetrable darkness, for there was
neither moon nor stars in the sky.
cts really very rare to be free
from Madam Luna said he; "shC
is so fond of intruding and playing
the spy on sensible folk, spite o
drawn curtains. For the rest, thi,
is an uncommonly comfortable room
Probably not one out of the whole
| party will have so good Il bed to liz
, in as my lucky self
$50 man was murdered here
and for the sake of this legend the
room has now stood empty hund
reds Of years. If one could see d
, few blood stains or similar horrors
but there's no trace of anything q
the sort. What matchlcss power
superstition has, even in our en-
lightened days. shall consider il
a good decd to drive it from thi,
comfortable stronghold