Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-05-20

you have called in answer to my note.
am sure you will accede to my request.
Ny aunt is only now recovering from
long illness, and the piano keeps her
awake at night
II would, Of course, instantly discon-
tinuc il, said, '.if it were in my power;
but I came to explain that have played
nothing since my coming here; indeed,
my friend has no .piano-in fact, Miss
Mayne, / have thought that I was listen
/ ing to your playing every night, for I
have heard what must be the same
piano."
/ Miss Mayne looked incredulous at first,
then utterly amazed.
81 do not understand she said.
Scan it be that we are near enough to
hear this from any other housean She
rose, and went to the window. 'No;
it is impossible y as the window, from
which wecould see some distance, showed
the nearest house to be separated from us
by the gerden and street which ran at
the bottom of it, beside the whole length
of another garden and rambling old or
chard.
''Is it possible, " / said, feeling as if I
saw glimmer Of light on the question,
sthat any of your household walk in their
sleep2 We hear this quite late; and it
might be possible-people have done
such strange things in sleep"
Indeed, no, she said. II am afraid
that will not do as an explanation. We
have just now only one old servant whom
I have known all my life, ard never
knew of her doing such thing. Besides,
she is not musical, +" smiling as she said
it. SI can answer for my aunt and my
self, and full assurance-our piano
is not yet unlocked. / have the key"
touching her watch-chain. 81 have been
too occupied with my aunt to touch it as
yet"
'tIt is more than I can understand, "
said I, rising. ssIt must be accounted
for by some kind of echo. / will write
to my friend Thompson about it. I am
only staying in his house for week OF
two, as you may know. I called because
I wished you to understand how gladly
/ would put stop to what annoys you,
were able" She gave me her hand on
leaving, and 1 thought hers one of those
faces which seem more beautiful as you
know them better.
wrote to Thompson, and got in day
or two the following characteristic note:
ssDEAR WYNDHAM-You must have been
asleep. People next door, too. Never heard
any piano. and I have lived there fourteen
years. The man who was there before me is
dead, so can't send you to him for informa-
nation. Glad I don't hear it. Can't bear
music Delighted that you like the country.
Yours. F. T."
l 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 acquaintances.
But the unexplained music did not
pass from my mind; especially as I heard
it still, though not every evening. Lam
believer in what they call 'sghosts,
and one day when Mrs. Morse was in
talkative mood, as she took away my tea,
I brought her conversation round to the
subject Of haunted houses, hoping that,
if there were any tradition belonging to
Thompson's house, she would mention it.
After many stories which she took
pains to say she "should not think Of
believing she said: ssThis looks
likely house for such stories, but have
never heard, nor look to hear or see any
thing; but some people are so silly.
There was a silly girl we had here, a
housemaid, always fancying she heard
music at night near her room-she slept
down stairs and at last she left through
it, though couldn't tell master such
tale, but had to tell him something more
sensible Such nonsensel used to tell
her she dreamt Of what her head was full
Of, for she was all for wonder
fully fond of it. Why couldn't she mind
her work and sleep at night without
dreams, as honest people should9'
With this last moral sentiment Mrs.
Morse and the things clattered away
together. What she had said was odd, /
thought. Certainly was more than half
inclined to account for that piano as
something supernatural, but could not
call next door and say 50. It would
seem ridiculous, and should certainly
rnn the risk Of being laughed at.
A few days later my holiday came to
an end, and left the lovely country with
very pleasant memories of Thompson's
old, and as began to belive, haunted
house. It did not pass away from my
memory during the busy winter days
neither did the sweet face of Miss Ethel
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 mems lives,
Thompson had very large estate left
him in the north Of France. He went
to make arrangements for selling it, but
liked the situation SO much that he has
settled there, and have bought his old
house Ihave thrown both houses into
one, and made several changes since the