Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-07-16


neither ghost nor demon"
Col. Lawrence showed his guest
into a comfortable parlor, where d
sea-coal fire was burning cheerfully
in a CRATE, and refreshments most
welcome to weary traveller stood
upon table.
Mine host" was an old campaigner,
and had seen much service during the
war of the American revolution, and
he was full of interesting anecdotes
and descriptions of adventures.
But while Maj. Hill was apparently
listening attentively to TIE narrative
of his hospitabIe entertainer, throw
ing in the appropriate calculations Of
surprise and pleasure at the proper in
tervals, his whole attention was in re-
atty absorbed by a charming girl Of
90, the daughter of the colonel, who
graoed the table with her presence.
Never, he thought, had he seen so
beautiful, so modest and SO ladylike q
creature; and she, in turn, seemed
very favorably impressed with the
manly beauty and frank manners OF
their military guest.
At length she retired. The colonel.
who was three bottle man, and had
found a listener to his heart, was
somewhat inclined to prolong the SEES
sion into the small hours of the morn
ing; but finding that his guest was
fatigued, and even beginning to nod
in the midst of his choicest story, he
felt compelled to ask him if he would
not like to retire.
Maj Hill promptly replied In the
affirmative, and the old gentleman,
taking up a silver candlestick, cere-
moniously marshaled his guest to a
large, old fashioned room.
A comfortable led invited to repose
cheerful fire was blazing on the
hearth, and everything was cozy and
quiet. The major looked around him
with smile Of satisfaction.
II am deeply indebted to you,
colonel" said he, ''for affording me
such comfortable quarters. I shall
sleep like a top"
Il am afraid not" answered the
colonel, with a grave shake of the
head. IT never knew a guest Of
mine to pass quiet night In the cham
| ber"
IT shall prove an exception" said
the major, smiling. 'But I must
make one remark" ne said. seriously.
cit is i'll sporting with the feeling of
a soldier; and should any of your SER
wants attempt to play tricks upon
me, they shall have occasion to repent
it."
And he laid his pistols on the stand
by his bedside.
''My servants, Maj. Hill," said the
old gentleman, with an air of offended
dignity, ''are too well drilled to dare
any tricks upon my guests. Good
night, major"
Good night, colonel"
The door closed. Mai Hill locked it..
Having done so, he took survey of
the room.
Beside the door opening into the en-
try, there was another leading to
some other room. There was no lock
upon, the second door, but a heavy
table Blaced across, completely barri~
caded it.
II am safe, " thought the major ''un-
less there is storming party of ghosts
to attack me in my fortress. I think
shall sleep WE'LL"
He threw himself into an arna chair
before the fire, and watching the glow
ing embers, amused himself with
building castles in the air, and mus
ing on the attractions of the fair
Laura, his hosts daughter. He was
far enough from thinking of spectral
visitants, when a very slight noise
struck on his ear. CHANGING in the
direction of the inner door he thought
] he saw the heavy table glide back
ward from its place. Quick as thought
ne caught up pistol and challenged
the intruder. There was no reply
but the door continued to open and
the table to slide back. At last there
glided into the room a tall, graceful
figure robed In wEite.
At the first glance the blood curdl-
ed in the majors veins; at the second
he recognized the daughter of his
host. Her eyes were wide open, and
she advanced with an assured step /;
but it was very evident that she was
asleep. Here was the mystery of the
White Phantom solved at last. The
young girl walked TO the fire place
and seated herself in the arm chair
from which the soldier had just risen.
His first impulse was to vacate the
room, and go directly and alarm
the colonel. But, in the first place
he knew not what apartment his host
occupied, and in the second, curiosity
prompted him to watch the denoue-
lnent of this singular scene.
Laura raised her left hand, and
gazing on beautiful ring that adorn-
ed one Of her white taper fingers,
pressed it repeatedly to her lips. She
then sank into an attitude of repose,
her arms dropping listlessly by her
side.
The major approached her and
stole the ring from her finger. His
action disturbed but did not awaken
her She seemed to miss the ring,
however, and after cropping hopeless
ly for it, rose and glided through the
doorway as silently as she had enter
ed. She had no sooner retired than
the major renIaced the table. and