Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-19

wood standing by; and so-and So
''Oho! that's it. eh?" said Colonel
Orme, laughing. Upon my word,
Sister Becky, you are rather over-par-
ticular for woman so years old. -"
"Only 40, James, interrupted Miss
Rebecca with shrill accent of indig-
nation.
But the ghost?" inquired young
Hazelwood, who had just arrived on
the scene of action, with rather a
flushed brow and embarrassed air.
Upon which Aunt Rebecca gave way to
the combined influences of her broth
er's unkind remark and the fright of
ghost-seeing, and fairly tainted, with
out further notice. According to the
usual custom of womankind on such
occasions, Colonel Orme and all the
other gentlemen were hustled out into
the hall, while the victim of the female
officials was deluged with Eau de Col
ogne, stifed with burnt feathers, and
vigorously treated with hot flannel.
"She's coming to, poor dear crea-
turen was the final verdict hurled at
Colonel Orme through crack in the
door,
"WcIi, I'm glad of it, I'm surer'
said the Colonel, dolorously, rubbing
his hands, for it's cold out here in the
hall Why, hilloa! is this you, my lit
tie Violet? What's the matter? You
haven't seen 4 ghost, hope?"
''No, papa" faltered Violet; 'but-"
Suppose we three adjourn into the
library, Colonel Orme, and l will I'M
dertake the task of explanation" in
terrupted Charles Hazelwood, while
Violet's cheeks grew like flame.
"Well, may [ venture TO inquire what
| all this means?' Intercepted the be-
wildered Colonel, when the library
door was safely closed.
cit means, SIR" said Charles, laugh
| ing, yet little puzzled how to pro-
coed, ''that Violet, your daughter, and
l were just looking out ut the stars. in
| the embrasure of the great hall win
| dow, when we saw some one approach
ing with q light. Violet went to see
what the apparition meant, when Miss
Rebecca (whom it proved to beg drop
ped her candle, and ran shrieking
away"
$50 Violet was the ghost, eh?" said
the colonel, depressing a very strong
| inclination to laugh.
you see, papa" interposed the
young lady, / wore my long cashmere
mantle, for / was afraid of taking cold,
and it was tied at the throat with red
ribbons, and"
land Aunt Rebecca took it for
granted that you were the murdered
heroine of our family ghost story
said the colonel, archly. But allow
me to ask you, young people, what
you were SO much Interested imp
''Weu, sir, said Lakewood, 81 had
! Just asked her if she would mt marry
me-don't run away, Violet-and she
said 'Yes'-that is, if / could win her
fathers consent"
''Well?"
''And | would like to know what her
father says to the proposition?" added
the young officer laughingly OBTAINING
Violet, who was struggling to escape.
He says" answered Colonel Orme,
''that your intrepidity in facing the
ghost deserves some reward, and he
| likewise suppOses that his daughter
must be allowed to have her own way.
Take her, Charley, and don't spoil her!
No thanks now; but let me go and see
after your Aunt Rebecca."
'Papan' whispered Violet, as he
rose, with his hand on the door.
"Well, my dear?"
Don't tell Aunt Becky that-that-''
THAT you were the ghost? Just as
you please"
And he went, chuckling, to inquire
after his sisters health. There is no
/ 4 I1+ 10 i
let's secret, but two things may be re-
garded as settled facts in the records
Of Almwick Place-one is that Aunt
Rebecca strenuously denies the exist
ence of ghosts, and abhors the very
sight of her niece's white mantle with
cherry trimmings; the other is that she
! is particularly careful never to pass
through the solemn old haunted hall
alone after sunset!