St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-06-25
AWHITE PHANTOM.
The Mystery Solved BY Brave
English Major.

off the road, and he was unfamiliar with
the country.
Though not raining, the air was damp
and heavy, surcharged clouds threatened
every moment to pour down their contents.
A good hOrSeman cares as much Tor the
comfort of his Steed as for his own ease.
To add to the discomfort of the evening
there was some chance of meeting highway
men; but Maj. Hill felt no uneasiness on
that score, as, just before leaving his friend S
house, he had examined his holster pistols
and freshly primed them. A brush with
highwayman would enhance the romance
of night journey.
The majors horse began to give unmis-
taxable evidence of Distress stumbling
once or twice, and recovering himself with
difficulty At last dim light suddenly
appeared at turn of the road. The horse
pricked up his ears, trOtted forward with
spirit, soon hating before a one-story cot
tage. The major rode up to the door and
raped loudly with the butt of his whip.
The summons brought a sleepy cotfer to
the door.
My good friend" said the major, lean
you tell me how far it is to the next inn?'
''Eh? 1t be about zeven mile, Zur." was
the answer, in the broad Yorkshire dialect
OF the district.
''Seven milesw exclaimed the major, in
a tone of deep disappointment; land my
horse is already blown! My goyd fellow,
can't you put him somewhere and give me
a bed? I will pay you literally for your
trouble"
''Eh! goodness zakes!" said the rustic.
I be naught but ditcher. There be noa
PLACE to put the nag in, and there be only
ono room, and ono bod tho cot :,
what shall I do?" cried the major at
his wits'end.
''Tutell zee, Zur," said therustic. ''There
be yoine large house on the road about a
MOLE vurther ON. It's moo an inn. but the
colonel ices company vor the vun O. the
thing cause he loikes to zee company
about 'un. You must a-heard ov him
Col. Lawrence-aS used to be Soger
once?"
Say no more" cried the major. 81
have heard of this hospitable gentleman,
and his having been in the army gives me
a sure claim to his attention. Here's a
crown for your information, my good
friend"
The major rode off, feeling an exhilara-
ton of spirits which soon communicated
itself to the horse. A sharp trot of few
minutes brought him to a large mansion
which stood by the roadside. Without
dismounting he piled the large brass knocker
till a servant in livery made his appear
ance.
is your master up?" asked the major.
81 am the occupant of this house." said
a venerable gentleman, making his appear
ance at the hall door.
Il am benighted traveller. SIR" said
the major, touching his hat, land come to
claim your well-known hospitality. Can
you give me bed for the night?"
L cannot promise you bed, SIR" said
the host, "for have but one spare bed in
the house, and that happens to be in room
that does not enjoy very pleasing reputa
ton. In short, sir, one room of my house
is haunted. and that is the only one, unfor-
tunately, that can place at your disposal
tonight"
''My dear sir" said the major springing
from his horse and tossing the bride to
the servant, you enchant me beyond eX-
preston. A haunted chamber! The very
thing-and who have never seen a ghost!
What lucks'
The colonel shook his head gravely.
Il never knew man," he said, ''to pass
night in that chamber without regret
ting it."
Maj. Hill laughed as he took his pistols
from the holster pipes. ''With these friends
OF mine, /" he said, 81 fear neither ghost
nor Demon
Col. Lawrence showed his guest into a
comfortable parlor, where sea-coal fire
was burning cheerfully in CRATE, and re-
freshmentS most welcome to weary tray-
eler stood upon table.
The majors attention was drawn toward
charming girl Of 20, the daughter of the
colonel, who graced the table with her
presence. Never, he thought, had he seen
so beautiful, so modest, and so lady-like a
creature; and she, in turn, seemed very IA
vOrably impressed with the manly beauty
and frank manners of their military guest.
At length she retired. The colonel. who
had found good listener, was inclined to
prolong the session into the small hours of
the morning; but, finding that his guest
was much fatigued, he felt compelled to
ask him if he would not like to retire.
Maj. Hill promptly replied in the affirma-
tive, and the old gentleman, taking up a
silver candlestick, tremendously marshaled
his guest to large, old-fashioned room.
A comfortable bed invited to repose; a
cheerful fire was blazing on the hearth, and
everything was coy and quiet. The major
looked around him with sigh of Satisfac-
ton.
81 am deeply indebted to you colonel"
said he, ''for affOrding me such comfortable
quarters. 1 shall sleep like top"
Il am afraid not" answered the colonel,
with grave shake of the head Il never
knew a guest of mine to pass quiet night
in this chamber"
major, smiling. but | mrst make one
remark" he added seriously. cit is ill
sporting with the feelings of soldier: and
should any of your servants attempt to play
tricks upon me they shall have reason to
repent it."
And he laid his heavy pistols on the light
stand by his bedside.
MY servants, Maj. HILL" said the old
gentleman, with an air Of offended dignity.
''are too well drilled to dare attempt any
tricks upon my guests. Good night ma
jOr."
Good night, colonel"
The door closed. Maj. Hill locked it.
Besides the door opening into the entry.
there was another leading to some other
room. There was no lock on the second
door, but heavy table placed across COM
pletely barricaded it.
He threw himself into an armchair be-
fore the fire, and amused himself with
building castles in the air, and musing on
the attractions of the fair Laura, the hosts
daughter. He was far enough from think
ing of spectral yisitantS, when very slight
noise struck on his ear. CHANGING in the
direction of the inner door, he thought he
saw the heavy table glide backward from
its place. Quick. as thought he caught up a
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 tall, graceful
figure, robed in white.
AT the first glance the blood curdled in
the majors veins; at the second he recog-