National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-27
THE PHANTOM.


Though not raining, the air was damp,
and the heavy, surcharged clouds threatened
every moment to pour down their contents.
A good hOrseman cares as much for the
comfort of his steed rs his own ease. To
add to the discomfort Of the evening there
was some chance Of meeting highwaymen
hut Mai Hill felt no uueasines5 on that
score, us, Just before leaving his friends
house, he had examined his holster pistols
and freshly primed them. A brush with a
highwayman would enhance the romance Of
q night journey.
The MAJORS horse began to give anmis-
taxable evidence Of distress, stumbling once
or twice, and recovering himself with din
Guilty. At last dim light suddenly APP
peared at turn OF the rond. The horse
pricked up his ears, trotted forward with
spirit, soon hating beside a one-story cot
tngc. The major rode up TO the door and
raped loudly with the butt Of his whip.
The summons brought sleepy cottcr to
the door.
"My good friend - said the major, "can
YOU tell me how far 1t is to the next inn 2'
"Eh? II be about zeven mile, CUR was
the answer, in the broad Yorkshire dialect
of the district.
"Seven miles !" exclaimed the major, in
q tone of deep disappointmenti and my
horse Is already blown My good fellow,
can't you put him somewhere and give me
bedY / will pay you literally for your
troublc.n
"Ehi goodness zakes Z" said tho rustic
81 be naught but ditcher. There be noa
place to put the nag in, and there be only
one room and one bed I'm the cot.n
"What shall dop cried the major at
his wits end.
ON tell zee, zur," said the rustic "Therc
be q voine large house on the road about q
MOLE vurthcr 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-hcard ov hlm-Col.
Lawrencc--as used to be a soget OnceW
"Say no more" cried the major. ~ have
heard of this hospitablc gentleman, and his
having been in the army gives me sure
claim TO HE attention. Here's crown for
your information, my good friend"
The major rode Oft, feeling an exhilara-
tion of spirits which soon communicated
itself to the horse. A sharp trot Of few
minutes brought him to q large mansion
which stood by the roadside. Without dis
mounting he piled the large brass knocker
till q servant in livery made his appear
anCe.
as your master up ?n asked the major.
~ am the occupant Of this house, said
venerable gentleman, making his appear
ance at the hall door.
81 am benighted traveller, sir" said the
major, touching his hat "and come to
claim your well-llnown hospitality. Can
you give me bed for the night ~
~ cannot promise you bed, sir,n said
the host, "for have but one spare bed In
the house, and that happens to be In a 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, unror-
tunately, that can place at your disposal
tonight.
I,Af,, H.. ,,, ., ..tl .i, ,,,.ia, ,,,,.,.,t..o
from his horse and tossing the bride to the
servant, 'you enchant me beyond express
sionl A haunted chamber The very thing
and !, who have never seen ghost!
What luckln
The colonel shool, his head gravely.
~ never knew a man." he said, "to pass
night in that chamber without rcgretting
IT,"
Mai. Hill laughed as he took his pistols
from the holster pipes. "With these
friends of minc,n he said, ~ fear neither
ghost nor demon.n
Col. Lawrence showed his guest into a
comfortable parlor, where a sea-coal fire
was burning cheerfully in CRATE, and re-
treatments most welcome TO a weary tray
eler stood upon q table.
The majors attention was drawn toward
charming girl of twenty, the daughter of
the colonel, who graced The tTiS I5 l." soon oH
e. hoon,,,,5> i.rS.i,"nght had nc seen
~ 30 luOAlchl, ana so lnuyllkp 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
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 II he would not like to retire.
Maj. Hill promptly replied In the aillrma-
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: q
cheerful fire was blazing on the hearth aud
everything was coy and quiet. The major
looked around him with sigh of satlsfac-
ton.
~ am deeply indebted to you, colonel,n
said he ''for affording me such comfortable
quarters. / shall sleep like top"
81 am afraid not" answered the colonel,
with grave shake Of the head. 81 never
knew guest of mine TO pass quiet night
IN this chamber"
~ shall prove an exception" said the
major, smiling. "But must make one re-
mark" he added, seriously. at is ILL
should any Of your servants attempt to play
tricks upon me they shall have occasion to
repent it.n
And he laid his heavy pistols on the
light stand by his bedside.
"My servants, Mai. Ill.," said the old
gentleman, with an air Of offended dignity
care too well drilled to dare attempt any
tricks upon my guests, Good night, major.h
"Good night, coloneln
The doorclosed, Maj. Hill locked 1t.
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 1t.
He threw himself into an armchair before
the fire, and amused himself with building
castles In the air, and musing on the attrac-
tions Of the fair Laura, the hosts daughter
lie was far enough from thinking of spectral
visitants, when very slight noise struck
an 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 pistol aud chal-
lenged the intruder. There was no reply
hut the door continued to open and the
table to slide back. At last there glided
into the room tail, graceful figure, robed
In white.
At the first glance the blood curdled In
the majors veins; at the second he recog-
nized the daughter Of the host. Her eyes
were wide open, and she advanced with an
assured step; but 1t was very evident that
she was asleep. Here was the mystery of
the White Phantom solved at once. The
young girl walked TO the fireplace and
seated herself in the armchair from which
the soldier had just risen.
She raised her left hand, and, gazing on
a beautiful ring that adorned one of her
white taper fingers, pressed 1t repeatedly
toher 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 disturhed
but did not awaken her, She seemed to
miss the ring, however, and after cropping
hopelessly for It, rose and glided through
the doorway as silently as she had entered
She had no sooner retired thnn the Inninr