Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-01-18

| tion of Crowsncst is not necessary TO the
development of my tale, but to describe
that is imperative. This room had
{ lken my fancy from the first. II was
ing snd large and low; the walls pan
cod with ccdar-wood. On the panels
hung framed tapestry pictures, the work
of past generations OF Northcotes. The
ceiling of cedar-wood, with curiously
carved rafters, made the walls look even
lower than they were. A time-mcl-
lowed square of Indian carpet covered
the center of the cedar floor on which
stood the bcd-of the same wood and
richly carvcd-raised on dais. There
were two windows; that nearest the
bed, bay with diamond panes, the
hanging similar to those OF the bed, of
old-fashioned rich brocade with faded
pink satin Innings. On the side of the
bay window nearest the bed was fixed
| a modern gas bracket, which struck mo
as a strange anomaly and the only in
congruity amid the antique surround
ings. 1t was in this chamber my step
mother died, but utterly devoid of all
| superstitious weakness | 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 appeared to me of any weight.
At last she said: at was Mrs North
cote's wish that that room should not
be used. She died in it,"
"And do you suppose am so foolish
as to be afraid to sleep there on that
account" asked.
alt is not my province to suppose
anything, Miss Northcote. 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 it is--n
"As it is, Mrs. Stevens" / answered,
seeing that she paused, irresolutely, Il
am now mistress here, and have set my
heart on that particular bedroom. Have
it prepared, please, for wishto occupy
it at once.h
"As you WILL" she said Indifferent
ly. But as she turned away caught u
peculiar look on her face, which per-
picked as much rs it annoyed me. My
belongings were promptly removed into
the coveted room, my maid, Justine
occupying a small dressingroom adj
joining, but to which there was no
through communication. The first
night of my taking possession of my
new quarters was, close and oppressive,
and | remember waking to find the
scent of the cedar-wood slightly over
powering. About midnight | rose;
threading my way across the floor with
difficulty, for the room was almost in
total darkness, l opened the nearest
window. The next night, before JUS
tine left me, desired her not to turn
the gas quite out. Three nights later L
gain woke with q sense of languor and
oppression. | did not want to be at the
trouble of rising to open the window,
but | looked up sleepily. The gas be-
side the window gave out Il dim light;
beyond it u faint moonbeam slanting
across the room in which lay the shadow
of pear-tree that grew outside close
to the house. l could trace the shadows
of the branches and the leaves, and
watched them as they fickered, stirred
by the night wind. Keeping my eyes
open in half-slecpy manner rs have
said, all mt once l became conscious of
seeing something else besides the
gaslight and the moonlight, something
that seemed to be between the two. 1t
was faint and indistipct, certainly, but
none the less it bore resemblance to n
female form. The head appeared rest
ing on tie hand, the hair with ruddy
CLEAN ON it fioated backward on the
shoulders. The rest of the figure was
lost in darkness. | was sufficiently
awake to know it was no freak of fancy,
and yet the figure was altogether so
family defined and vague in detail that
before long fell asleep and next morn
ing remembered it as dream only.
The succeeding night, however. ]
again awoke and on opening my eyes
beheld the self-same figure. But this
time it was more clearly visible, espe-
cially the face, which, turned toward
me, saw to be that of a very beautiful
woman. Moreover, to my unspeakable
horror and dismay, discovered in it q
resemblance to my step-mother, whom
had seen once, and once only, as she
lay dead within her coffin. The sight
was the more distressing to me mas
much as the face wore an expression OF
mournful sadness combined with one OF
reproach. Had the spirit of my faith
er's wife returned to earth to upbraid
me for not obeying the summons to hel
dying bedP
A strangely commingled feeling Of
awe insnired bv the presence of n he.
ino from another world. Of incredulitv
that such visitation could be possible
In vain / closed INV ewes, pressing my
hands upon them to wipe out, as i
were, the sight. Whenever l opened
them saw the beautiful, reproachfu
face, and it was not until the early sum
mer morning dawned that it entirely
disappeared and | rose from my bett
sad at heart and worn in body with tn,
weary vigil of the night. Twice more
the visitation came; alter that for tw,
: or three weeks the visits ceased; thel
were once more resumed. Before | hat
:. been two months at Crowsnest all my
vaunted courage fled; my entire natur
underwent change. Though Ispoke o
what | had seen to no one, was, never
theless. sensitively conscious that Mrs
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