Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1884-01-10

tents and purposes was mine. With the
exception of one bedroom in it, n dc.
scription of Crowsnest is not necessary
to the development of my tale, but to
describe that is imperative. This room
had taken my fancy from the first. 1t
was long and large and low; the walls
panelled with cedar wood On the
panels hung framed tapestry pietures,
the work of past generations of North.
cotes. The ceiling of cedar-wOod, with
curlously carved rafters, made the
walls look even lower than they were.
A time-mellOwed square of Indian
carpet covered the center Of the cedar
llOor on which stood the bcd-of the
same wood, and richly carved-rais sd
on dais. There were two windows;
that nearest the bed, bay with dia-
mold panes, the hangings, similar to
those of the bed, of old.fashioned rich
brocade with faded pink satin Innings.
On tho side of the bay window nearest
the bed was fixed modern gas bracket
which struck me as a strange anomaly
aud the only incongruity amid the an
tiquc surroundings. 1t was in this
chamber my stepmother died, but ut
terly devoid Of all sup.rsttous weak
ness decided TO occupy it myself. No
sooner had my kind guardian left
CrOwsnest than | told Mrs. Stevens Of
my intention, whereon She looked
troubled, urging various reasons why
| should not do so, none of which ap-
peared TO me of any weight. At last
she said; at was Mrs. NOrthcote s
wish that that room should not be used.
She died in it."
"And do you suppose | am so fool.
ish rs to be afraid to sleep there on
that account" | asked.
at is not my province to suppose
anything, Miss Nortbcote. My late
mistress entertained the fancy, and if
you had seen her before she died it is
my belief she would have given you her
reasons herself As ii is"
"As it is, Mrs. Stevens" answered,
seeing that she paused irresolutcly, 81
am now mistress here, and have set
my heart on that particular bedroom.
Have it prepared, please, for | wish to
occupy it at once"
as you will, ~ she saidiudilinrently.
But rs she turned away | caught Il
peculiar look on her face, which per.
picked as much us it annoyed me.
My belongings were promptly removed
into the coveted room, my maid, jas
tine, occupying small dressing.room
adjoining, but to which there was no
through communication. The first
night of my taking posse, sion OF my
new quarters was close and oppressive.
and | remember waking to find the scent
of the ccdar.wood slightly overpower-
ing. About md, light | rose; tread
ing my way across the floor with diff
Guilty, for the room was almost in total
darkness, | opened the nearest win
dow. Tho next night, before Justine
left me, desired her not to turn the
gas quite out. Three nights later
again woke with n sense of languor and
oppression. | did not want to be at
the trouble OF rising to omen the win
dow, but | looked up sleeply. The
gas beside the window gave out dim
light; beyond it faint moonbeam
slanting across the room in which lay
the shadow of n pear-treo that grew
outside close to tho house. could
trace the shadows of the branches and
the leaves, and watched them us they
llickcred, stirred by the night wind.
Keeping my eyes open in q half-sleepy
manner, aS have said, all at once |
became conscious of seeing something
else besides the gaslight and tho moon
light, something that seemed to be be-
tween the two. 1t was faint and in
distinct, certainly, but none the less it
bore resemblance to q female form.
Tho head appeared resting on the
hand, the hair with ruddy CLEAN on
it 4 Jatod backward ON the shoulders.
The rest of the figure was lost in dark
ness. was sufficiently awake to know
it was no freak of fancy, and vet the
figure was altogether SO faintly defined
and vague in detail that before long |
fell asleep and next morning rtmem-
b., red it rs dream only.
The succeeding night, however,
again woke and on openinp nv eves
behell the selt-same figure. But this
timo it was more clearly visible, es-
pecially the face, which, turned towards
me, saw To be that of verv beauli.
full woman. Moreover, TO nv unspeak-
able horror and diSmaV. | discovcred
it in resemblance TO nv step.mother.
whom | had seen once. and onco only.
as she lay dead within her coffin. Tie
sight was the mora distres SING TO me
AS the face wore an express
sion of mourntul sadness combined
with ono of reproach. Had the snirit
of my fathers wife returned TO earth
to Ipbraid me for not chewing the snm.
mons to her DIVING bedP
A strangely cSmminoled focliny of
awe and incredulity posSesscd mo. or
awe, inspired by the apporont nresencn
of a being from anothpr world. of in.
credulity, that such n visitation conld
be possible. In vain closed NV evns
pressing INV Hands unon ,hon, ~ Hino
ont, as Il were, tbe sirbt Wbenevnr
opened them | saw the hcauliiul re.
uroachful face and II was not nntil ,ho
early summer morning dawned that il
entirely disappeared and | arose from
my bed sad at hear and worn in body
with tho weary vigil of the night.
Twice more the visitation came; after
that for two or three weeks tho visits
ceased, then were once moro resumed.
Before | had been two months at