Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-06

all that could be seen emerging from the
prevailing obscurity was . hand in
bold relief holding dagger from winch
the blood dripped. There was no mis-
take about the blood, for only recently
some one had dsubed the big drops
freely with splashes Of red. 1t was
borrid TO look ADJUST bony hand,
dagger, the blood, and all the rest dark
ness. I always sat with my back to
II and wished Mrs. Harvey would have
the yermillion washed out, but she was
| not imaginative and did not mind it.
"The room had one wide window,
which opened door-fashion on to q bal
cony, whose stairs led into an untidy
plantation OF wilderness Of huge trees.
There was only some Indian mating on
the floor, with q rough table and few
common chairs, so it was just the place
for litter, only wondered it was not
made better use. of. Mrs. Harvey
was always grumbling there were SO
| few bedrooms now the Odd-and-End
room would have been charming for
bachelor, being so far away from the
house that man might smoke himself
into stupidity if he wished, or could
get out into the fresh air whenever he
pleased.
1--WE had been only ten days at the
Manor House when Mr.. Harvey was
summoned away on business. We all
missed him. He was so kind and I'M
selfish. | do think, Doris, nothing
wins its way to the heart so much as
unselfshness. Soon after his departure
we were one afternoon finishing par
ticularly ugly vase, and were grumbling
at the fast-waning light, when Nelly
exclaimed:
al declare we must finish this to-
night. We will have candles. 1t is so
odd there should be none here, but l
will fetch some from my ROOM When
she returned with them already lighted,
Mrs. Harvey had come into the Odd
and End-room. as she generally did at
this hour, to bid us into the drawing
room to amuse her at the cleaning
time.
"She shook her head when she saw
Nelly, saying, You must not bring any
lights here
1--WE all stared, and one of the girls
present exclaimed, We only want to
be here for half an hour longer, dear
Mrs. Harvey, just to finish this deli
cious vase. We will be most careful,
and indeed there is nothing to catch
fire here; it is quite SAFE
al am so sorry persisted our host
ess, but my husband has forbidden
this room being used after dark, or
lights being brought into it. The own
er of the house made him promise this.
1t is most absurd and inconvenient, and
makes one Of the rooms practically USE
less
''But what is the reason?' asked
Nelly, putting the old-fashioned china
candlestick on the table and clasping
her hands eagerly. Il am sure there is
a mystery. Why, it may even be a
ghost, and what fun that would be
- saw no fun in the Ito mel appalling
idea. Surely you believe in ghosts,
Nelly?' / whispered.
" Believe in ghosts, you ridiculous
Annie OF course don't; no sensible
person ever does. But like to fancy
things. Do tell me the secret, dear
Mrs. Harvey. and l will promise to
sing you every song remember as we
sit over the fire.
"'I would tell you at once if /
knew, said Mrs. Harvey, looking adj
miriDgly at bright, winsome Nelly, who
stood leaning against one Of the projec-
tons of the oaken press, her beautiful
face and figure standing out in exquisite
relief against the heavy background.
~ do not know the secret con-
tinued Mrs. Harvey, NOR, | think,
does Mr.. Harvey, or he has not told it
to me. But you know how reserved he
is;' here she sighed with feminine
incompriSe' sort Of air. i am quite
sure it is all nonsense, for the lights
have been burning fully ten minutes,
and nothing has happened yet. How
ever, we must obey orders; so, girls,
you must finish your vase tomorrow
OF course no more could be said (; so
we women Ralph had left the house
that morning and was not to be back
till the next EVENING" reluctantly left
the room, taking the candles with us.
1.-The next morning we were sitting
in the breakfast-room. We were hen
party only, no men just then being in
the house, and were busy planning pure
ly feminine arrangements for the day,
when Mrs. Harvey looked up, both cross
and annoyed, from letter she mad been
reading.
:" 1t is so provoking. This letter is
from Mrs. Venables, who wants to come
here tonight for three days, en- route for
Deane Hall. There is no time to put
her off and have not hole or corner
to put her in
1--WE all condoled with her then
Nelly said Annie and don't care
where we sleep, give her our room-we
can 60 anywhere
- But where is the anywhere to
be- almost snapped our hostess, whose
temper was like ship which only sails
well inperfectly smooth waters. There
is q shakedown in Mr.. Harvey's dress
ing-room one of you can have that,
but what to do with the other / know
not. OF course the trouble is only for
tonight, as Mrs. Espinasse must 60 to-
morrow, and then her room is vacant
| thought Mrs. Harvey might have
squeezed us both into her spacious
rooms, but the inconveniencing of herself
was not in her line, and we could not
suggest it.
90 have it, said Nelly. Put me on
bed or mattress in the 0dd-and-End-
room. want to spend one night there
and find out the mystery. l am sure
it is only mice
~ was aghast. Nelly, don't dream
Of such thing. have horror of
that room. You shall not sleep there
Mrs. Harvey said +: How l wish |
could let you sleep there, Nelly; and |
would but for this ridiculous prohibi-
ton. Besides, if any one slept there il
should be Captain Sartoris. His room
could be made to do for Mrs. Venables,