Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-06-04

and 8 tail GIL With dark ha1f ana
sweet face, came in. She bowed as I
rose, and said: < 5ss g.
"Mr. Wyndham, believer I mag
inc you have called in answer to my
note. am sure you will accede to my
request. My aunt is now only recov-
ering from long illness, and the piano
keeps her awake at night"
Il would, of course, instantly discon-
tinue it, said, IF it were in my pow
er; but came to explain that I have
played nothing since my coming here;
indeed, my friend has no piano-in
fact, Miss Mayne, 1 have thought
that I was listening to your playing
every night. for I have heard what
must be the same piano."
Miss Mayne looked incredulous at
first, then utterly amazed.
Il do not understand. she said.
''Can it be that we are near enough to
hear this from any other house," She
rose, and went to the window. mo;
1t is impossible" as the window, from
which we could see some distance,
showed the nearest house to be separa-
ted from us by the garden and street
which ran at the bottom of it, besides
the whole length of another garden and
rambling old orchard.
els it possible, l said, feeling as if
saw glimmer of light on the ques-
ton, THAT any Of your household walk
in their sleep? We hear this quite late;
and it might be possible-people have
done such strange things in Sleep
Indeed, no." she said Il am afraid
that will not GO as an explanation.
We have just now only one old servant,
whom have known all my life, and I
never knew of her doing such thing.
Besides she is not MUSICAL smiling as
she said it. II can answer for my
aunt and myself, and-for full assn
rance-our piano is not yet unlocked.
I have the key" touching her watch
chain. Il have been too occupied with
my aunt to touch it as YETI
ut is more than can understand,
said I, rising. 1T must be accounted
for by some kind Of echo. I will write
to my friend Thompson about it.. l am
only staying in his house for week or
two, rs you may know. l called be-
cause I wished you to understand how
gladly l would put a stop to what an
noys you, were able" She gave me
her hand on leaving, and l thought
hers one of those faces which seem
more beautiful as you know them bet
ter.
wrote to Thompson, and got in a
day OF two the following characteristic
note:
DEAR WYNDHAM--You mus have
been asleep. People next door, too.
Never heard any piano, and l have lived
there fourteen years. The man who
was there before me is dead, so I can t
send You to him for information. Glad
I don't hear it. Can't bear music. De-
lighted that you like the country.
Yours, T. IT,
called at the end of the week, to
tell Miss Mayne the result of my letter.
The aunt was better and down stairs;
they gave me afternoon tea, and came
away thinking that the mystery, as it
still was, had at least obtained for me
two very pleasant acquaintance.
But the unexplained music did not
pass from my mind; especially as l
heard itstill, though not every evening.
am a believer in what are loosely call
ed GHOSTS and one day when Mrs
Morse was in a talkative mood, as she
took away my tea, brought her con
versation round to the subject OF
haunted houses, hoping that, il
there were any tradition belonging to
Thompson's house, she would NEIL
ton it.
After many stories which she took
pains to say she ''should not think OF
belcving," she said: This looks a
likely house for such stories, but l have
never heard nor look to hear or see
anything; but some people are so silly.
There was silly girl we had here, q
housemaid, always fancying she heard
music at night, near her room-she slept
downstairs-anda at last she left through
it, though I couldn't tell master such
tale, but had to tell him something
more sensible. Such nonsense! ]
used to tell her she drea1nt of what he1
head was full of, for she was all fol
music--wonderfully fond of it. Why
couldn't she mind her work and sleeI
at night without dreams, as honest
people should?"
With this last moral sentiment Mrs
Morse and the things clattered away
| together. What she had said was odd
l thought, Certainly was more thar
half inclined to account for that piano
rs something supernatural, but l coule
not call next door and say so. 1t woulc
seem ridiculous, and should certainl,
run the risk of being laughed at.
A few days later my holiday came tt
an end, and I left the lovely countr,
with very pleasant memories O.
Thompson's old. and, as began to be
lieve, haunted house. 1t did not pas!
away from my memory during the busy
winter days-neithcr did the sweet fact
of Miss Eethel Mayne.
| Ten years have gone since then
Some success as an architect has come
to me, and am married.
Last year, by one of those strange
chances which come in some mem!
lives, Thompson had very larg,
estate left him in the north of France
He went oyer to make arrangement!
for selling it, but liked the situation s,
much that he has settled there, and
have thrown both houses into one, AM
made several changes since the day
when first knew it. Amongst others
we used as a drawing room 1arg'
room at the back overlooking the gar
den, which Thompson used as lumbe
room I think. Ny wife and hope t,
spend many summer months there:
| Our stay this year had nearly com
To on and whom on ono Sunday ovp