Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-09-19


implied, until he had rapidly glanced
over a few pages of it. -. 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 occupy
the spare bedroom, which Brewer, the
man of all work, was directed to see pre-
pared.
Brewer, who had caught the last OF
the protests Of the guest, thought it
somewhat odd that visitor who came
with no intention of staying should
bring large Gladstone bag with him.
But surprises were common in 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 after
ward that her visitor invariably politely
averted any further remarks on that
subject.
The evening passed very agreeably,
the advent of the entertaining stranger
proving pleasant break in the mo-
notony that had peryaded 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. Bar
stead appeared singularly dull and dis
trait. He repudiated the notion of in
disposition kindly suggested by his
hostess, but on her pressing the point
he admitted not feeling altogether as
he should like
"The fact u.s." said he, half apologet-
ically, II had rather q bad night"
Miss Annersleigh looked up over her
spectacles and calculated an interoga-
tive ''indeed."
Yes," he continued efficiently; IT had
p very remarkable dreamer vision
In fact, it was so vivid that can hard
ly believe it was a dream"
''You don't say So" remarked Miss
Annersleigh, with painful earnestness,
"What was it,"
well, if I We're believer in the
supernatural, should say most en-
practically 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
ishment.
"A Clergyman, did you say?" she
gasped.
yes; most decidedly. He was rath-
er pale, and I should think about forty
five years of age. He carried in his
hand-why, bless me, yes, it was that
very book" exclaimed Mr.. Barstead,
indicating vellumbound cash book up
on an adjacent table, which was the
book in which the deprated curate used
to keep record Of Miss Annersleigh's
financial dealings with her multifarious
charities.
Now, like most persons sufficiently
strong minded to the eccentric, Miss
Annersleigh was, when she pleased
very shrewd and calculating, and,
though not indisposed to subscribe
to the theories OF the ghost-seers,
OllC " tto lIoO ~ SIEuIAlONiO Us W NC OIllIC
to the chances Of deception. A mo-
ment's reflection suggested the hypothe-
sis that Mr.. Barstead had been told by
the servants that y man had died in his
room, and thai the vision was the effect
Of morbid cogitations, or even nervous
ness.
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
has the reputation of being haunted ?"
"Certainly not that I am aware Of
but there has been death here" she
added slowly.
"Please don't tell me any more"
quickly interrupted Mr., Barstead. Il
had assumed as much, but assure you
+ had no knowledge of the fact But
since you have told me this, my cu:iosi-
ty has been aroused and while dis
claiming any belief in tlfe supernatural,
[ am anxious to be afforded an opportu:
nifty of Investigating any alleged phe-
nomena, I must confess that my dream
has made a great impression upon me,
as you have, doubtless, observed. May
I ask if the descrip tion Igave you bears
any resemblance to that of the person
you say died here?'
ut is exact, said Miss Annersleigh, in
an awesome whisper, "And that Incl
dent of the book is marvellous. He had
it so much in his possession.
Mr.. Barstead appeared thunder
struck and mused minute before
again speaking. "Thisis most remark
able,' said he. Il have been frequently
told that I am medium"
"A medium!" exclaimed Miss Anners-
leigh, excitedly, the revelations having
made a deeper impression upon her
than she cared to- own.
eyes, medium, and, as such, 1
should have the faculty of seeing ghosts
when they are to be seen. Now should
very much like to occupy that room
again, to see if any further manifesta-
tons occur"
Miss Annersleigh entered mild pro-
test on the score of the alarm such a
course might occasion her visitor, but
he assured her most emphatically that
his nerves were equal to the strain.
After short conversation, therefore,
in which the curiosity and interest of
Miss Annersleigh asserted themselves
more than she was aware, Mr.. Bar
stead's proposal was agreed to, he en-
phasizing thenecessity Of his being kept
in ignorance of any facts affecting the
late Mr.. Hartley that might stimulate
the imagination. - ~
The day turned out stormy and mis-
cradle, and Mr.. Barstead to whom time
seemed of no Importance. agreed to
postpone his intended visit to the vicar,
and the further Development of his phil
anthrppic scheme. This new distraction