Milford chronicle., 1885-08-21

and she, in turn, seemed very favor
ably impressed with the manly beauty
and frank manners of their military
guest.
At length she retired. The Colonel,
who had found a listener, was inclin-
ed to prolong the session into the
small hours of the morning, but find
ing that his guest was much fatigue1
he felt compelled to ask him if he
would not like to retire.
Major 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 re-
pose; a cheerful fire was blazing on
the hearth, and everything was coy
and quiet. The Major looked around
him with a sigh of satisfaction.
81 am deeply indebted to you, Col
onel," said he, "for affording me such
comfortable quarters. I shall sleep
like top"
81 am afraid not" answered the
Colonel, with a grave shake of the
head. II never knew a guest of mine
to pass a quiet night in this chamber"
81 shall prove an exception" said
the Major, smiling. "But must make
one remark" he added, seriously. ut
is i'll sporting with the feelings 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 heavy pistols on
the light-stand by his bedside.
"AIy servants, Major 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, Major"
"Good night, Colonel"
The door closed. Major Hill locked
it.
Beside the door opening into the
entry, there was another leading to
some other room. There was no lock
upon the second door, but a heavy
table placed across completely barri-
caded it.
He threw himself into an armchair
before 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 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
he caught up a pistol and challenged
the intruder. There was no reply
but thedoor continued to open and
the table to slide back. At last there
glided into the room a tall, graceful
figure robed in white.
At the first glance the blood curdled
in the Majors veins; at the second he
recognized the daughter of the host.
Her eyes were wide open, and she ad-
vanced 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 seat
ed herself in the armchair from which
the soldier had just risen.
She raised her left hand, and gazing
on beautiful ring that adorned 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 hOpelessly for it,
rose and glided through the doorway
as silently as she had entered. She
had no sooner retired than the Major
replaced the table, and drawing a
heavy clothes press against it, effectu-
ally guarded himself against a second
intrusion.
This done, he threw himself upon
the bed, and slept soundly till late
hour of the morning. After perform
ing the duties of his toilet, he was
summoned to breakfast, where he met
the Colonel and his daughter.
Dwell, Major, and how did you pass
the night?" asked the Colonel, anx-
iously.
"Famously," replied Hill. 81 slept
like a top, as told you I should"
"Then, thank heaven, the spell is
broken at last" said the Colonel; "and
the White Phantom has vanished"
"By no MEANS" said the Major,
smiling; "the White Phantom paid me
a visit last night, and left me token
of the honor"
"a tokenr' exclaimed the father
and daughter in breath.
ayes, my friends, and here it is"
And the Major handed the ring to the
old gentleman.
"What's the meaning of this,
Laura?" exclaimed the Colonel. "This
ring 1 gave you last week."
Laura uttered faint cry, and turn
ed deadly pale.
"The mystery is easily explained"