The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-12-11
Select STORY.
THE MYSTERIOUS HOUSE.
CHAPTER l.

"Large and roomy; well-furnished; good
garden; healthy neighborhood; within easy
reach of railway station; good boys school
near; not far from London; cheap p Thus,
with something more than a suspicion Of
scorn in her voice, my sister Margaret ran
off on her fingers the list Of my require
ments for house.
1 had just returned from India with my
six children, and I was anxious to settle
them comfortably before their fathers re-
turn.
"You want every comfort" continued
my sister, "and you don't want to pay for
every comfort Ibelieve you anglo-Indians
think we live upon nothing in England"
Her husband came in as she spoke.
Turning to him, she ran over again, with a
slight exaggeration and deeper infusion
of contempt, the catalogue given above;
He took a seat "Dificult," he said,
oracularly; ''but it might be done. 1 have
it y said he, turning to his wife.
"What ?" The right house Then you
are cleverer than 1 thought you"
'Do you remember the story William
told us yesterday ?"
''Now, James," said my sister, rising to
her feet, and looking at her husband Sc
verely, Elf you advise Eleanor to take that
house, you do it on your own responsible
ty. l wash my hands of it.
"Sit down again, Margaret" he said
"Be reasonable, my dear. Is there any
sufficient reason why Eleanor should not
take that house p
"There is one very good reason-she will
have to do the housework herself. No ser
want will stay week"
"She has an Indian servant at an yrate
who must stand by her. :"
"But think of herself, of her feelings
You smile, James. o yes; l know you
think me absurd. Very likely am absurd
but remember this-there's no smoke with.
out some fire. Besides, 1 knew the last
| tenants. Mrs. Green is not an idiot. She
told me"
"Stay moment" said my brother-in-
law. and he addressed himself to me. Sci
eanor, tell me the truth; are you a believer
in ghosts ?"
s'Does this mean that the eligible house
is haunted ?" exclaimed, much stimulated
by what l had heard "If so, will take
it at once Write to the agent for me,
James"
81 do believe you are all going mad" :"
said my worthy sister holding up her hands
in horror. "James, you are sensible man.
You know things ought not to be done in
hurry. Eleanor, listen to what have
heard from the last tenant. She told me
with her own lips; it is none of your second
hand stories"
NO. | interrupted; "don't tell me. Ii
there is a ghost, it will show itself. 1fthere
is not, I might be set thinking of youl
story, and might imagine it; or at least
correcting myself-"I might be betrayed
into telling somebody else. Somebody else
might imagine it"
My brother-in-law thereupon entered into
an elaborate description of the house, which
had everything 1 could desire; and he be
lieved could have tfor rent, which was
SO small, considering its advantages, as tc
seem merely nominal ''The fact is, he
said, 'their principal object is to have the
thing off their hands, Tenants have beer
coming, and tenants have been going; ano
some have paid, and some have not paid
The place has got bad name in the neigh
borhood. The owners, however, think thai
if a respectable tenant comes and stays fol
some time, it will have good effect on tn
public mind. But, as Margaret says, yo'
must count the cost. Your servants vii
be sure to hear the ghost-story. They vii
see visions and dream dreams. You ma.
have to do good deal of the work youselt
By-the-by, there is an old hOusekeeper,
Mrs. Weevil, who lives in the lower rooms.
aCould we not get rid of herr" l said
She might tell the servants.
II am afraid that would be easier SAT-
than DONE" he answered aShe has SOM
claim upon the family. But they say sh
is quiet old soul, who interferes with no
body. You might warn her, you know"