Daily Republican., 1885-01-03

ny EVELYN MALCOLM.

Itcertainly was an odd old room, fill.
ed with shadows that whispered of the
past, and, as far ~ appearances went,
deserving fully its reputation Of being
haunted.
looked around me. not without that
strange fear, unlike any other, which
the contemplation Of supernatural
things makes even the bravest feel.
The maid placed the candle on heavy,
old time dressing 4 case. and with glance
fu II Of apprehension and pity babe me
. quick good night
l stood beside the heavy four poster
bed aud watched the long shadows
which the candle cast across the floor,
realizing, a. the echo of her footsteps
died away, that l was indeed alone In
the haunted chamber, in the extreme
wing, and that wide, gloomy halls and
corridors separated NE from the rest Of
the guests.
In order 10 study for the stage gave
lessons In elocution, and at times ap.
peared In amateur thoatricals. which
were frequently acted In some Of the
old homesteAds near which lived. At
the time OF which write I had been
professionally engaged for . weeks
stay at this old virg 'nis mansion. Tho
play in which I was to take tho lead
ing part WAS . we'll written dram alto
representation OF life In the early colo
NAL days, and wAs to celebrate the 22d
OF February Ia realistic fashion. Az
the house was filed with guests from
kitchen 70 garrett, there WAS nothing
left for mo TO do but to pass the night
In the hAunted chamber
As the pretty hostess left me at the
foot Of the stairs she said with smile
They say that An ancestor Of mine
who was wounded In battle died In the
Oak Room, with his head lifted UT
until the last 10 SEQ the smoke of the
conflict on the hill, and that since that
time he walks there. looking over to
wards the spot from which he had
returned but TO die. But you dc
you do not believe In ghosts-who does
And 1t Is AL pure fancy about the Oal
Room"
30 she left me, and l was at las
alone In the room to which the darl
story seemed 10 cling like . stain.
There was . bright fre on the hearth
and between the heavy faded curtains
could see the moon shining down on tn
snowy February landscape.
Thereon was largo, with locked doc
at one end opposite the bed the few
articles Of furniture It contained wer,
handsome, heavy, and old, but de
spite the Frightening influence 0
both moonlight and frelight it va
still oppressive in its sever
and faded grandeur. After . short
thorough survey Of every corner. whicl
! proved, beyond doubt that WAS it
only living OCCUPANT, quoted my fear
somewhat, undresssd, and went to bed
For long time lay awake listening
every sound, the wind among the trees
q mouse In the wainscoting, but moth
ing from either the living world or til
land Of shadows came TO alright m'
and at length fell asleep. What SCUM
was 1t that woke me? [ did not kRov
nor how long had been asleeI
Some feeling OF alarm caused me to II
perfectly still, my eyes fixed on tn
wall toward which bad turned wh,l
sleeping. tried 70 look round, bJ
terror held me IN II locked In ice.
For long pause l was incapable ,
moving even q finger. Some strane
presence was in the room. felt 4
power and was convinced OF its neal
ness. but IL instant death threatened n
l could not have turned my head.
What WAS It? Not moan-nor
s,b-but q sigh which was part OF bot
l could bear 1t no longer the spe
which held me WAS broken l felt II
blood In dizzy circles mount TO II
brain, and with n cry 1 started up
bed, my hand held fast over my bessti q
heart.
Even now, ~ 1 write, the old feelir
comes over me-the horror-the u
belief-yst the positiveness with who
saw before me In the full track Of Il
moon the figure Of tho young revolution
ary soldier. His faco was white
gbastly white, and from beneath Il
rim of his three cornered hat his ey
shone like stare.
They were turned to tho window, ga
ing stsadfastly, sadly out :, his he's
was bowed on his chest, into which
had thrust one hand, and the moo
light shone brightly on the sword
his side. Oh, the fearful oppressivene
of that room, the nearness Of that sha
owy visitor, whose brilliant eyes we
slowly turning toward me
With a shrek l sprang from the BE-
threw open the door. and plunged In
inc where il would lead me- NV ba
f..., scarc.,lv MAJ tho gronnd ma Il,
On ,nrn,no from one hall into anotb,
nn,,l AZ last the inbabited mart of I
hon.a Nos r.acbad and 7 saw a light
thin thread of I;ahtNstreamino I'm I
d.rLnass Of the hsil a. rsachsd !,
aava an .ffriohteJ g,anca backward
~ nh"., h.a foj,ng.d ma and w
s,ansing ,nidvav IN the .tairs the n,
mnoniight frow Tho vindow aho
. s,r.anina on him Nv very hes