Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-07-16

INTO q comfortable parlor, where q
sea coal fire was burr ing cheerfully
ia CRATE, and refr, shments most
welcome to a weary traveller stood
upon a table.
Mine host was an old campaignar,
and had seen much service during the
war OF the American revolution, aud
he was full Of interesting anecdotes
and descriptions of adventures.
But while Maj. Hill was apparently
listening attentively to the narrative
of his hospitable 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 charming girl of
20, 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 listener to his heart, was
somewhat inclined to prolong the ses.
sion into the small hours OF the morn
ing; but finding that his guest was
faugued, and even beginning to nod
in the midst of bis 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 silver candlestick, cere.
moniously marshaled his guest to a
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 a smile of satisfaction.
Il am deeply indebted to you,
colonel" said he, ''for affording me
such comfortable quarters / shall
sleep like a top"
81 am afraid not, answered the
colonel, with a grave shake of the
head. II never knew a guest Of
mine to pass quietnigAt in the cham
ber
81 shall prove an exception" said
the major, smiling. But | must
make one remark, F." ne said. seriously.
cit is i'll sporting with the feeling Of
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, Mai 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 doorclosed. Maj. Hill locked it..
Having done so, he took a 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 placed across, completely barrlo
caded it.
II am safe, thought the major ''un-
less there is storming party of ghosts
to attack me in my fortress. / think
l shall sleep well.
He threw himself into an arm 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 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. Qaick as thought
he 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 tho room tall, graceful
figure robed in wtite.
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 90 directly and alarm
the colonel. But, in the first place
he knew not what apartment his host
occupied, and in the second, curiosity
prom pied him to watch the denoue-
inent 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
/ ~ for it, rose and glided through the
doorway as silently as she had enter
ed She had no sooner retired than
the major replaced the table, and
drawing a heavy clothes press against
it, effectually guarded himself against
a second Intrusion.
"a !, .ar,v B. ~, col man