Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-06-30
THOMPSON'S HOUSE.

One very hot summer, Thompson. my
old school friend, offered to lend me his
house for a month. Circumstances-more
plainly, my means, would not allow me to
go abroad, so | gladly accepted his offer,
and went down to the quiet old cathe-
dral town for month of country air.
ThOmpson's house stands in the close, at
some little distance from the dwelling in
habit d by canOns and deans, in those Sc
date precincts Ii is very old and was
evidently built as one large house, but for
many years ii has been divided. ThOmp-
son lets the other half. His own part has
the larger half of beautiful, old-faSh-
iOned garden at the back and on the first
day of my arrival ! did nothing, | fear,
but wander up and down the shady lawn
and give myself up to the pleasure of
having absolutely nothing which must be
done in that day.
But the next morning, after breakfast,
started on long expedition in search of
interesting church architecture, in which
| knew the neighborhOod was rich and
about which am an enthusiast-natural,
perhaps, as | am an architect.
On my return that evening | found
ThOmpsOn's good housekeeper-he is not
marrled-rather anxious at my late hours
and excited at the arrival of new tenants
next door. They had been expected ap
parently for some days and Mrs. Morse
WAS most anxious that they should pr owe
as quiet and inOffensive As the last tenant,
a deaf and paralytic old lady, who never
annoyed master nor me in the least and
she was there before | came-fourteen
years ago last May, that is"
All this and much more Of her fears and
anXieties lest the new neighbOrs should
give noisy parties and keep late hours, ~s-
they did next door where | lived last,
which was why | left, sir, for their noise
was dreadful" Mrs. Morse told me, as she
held in her hand the toast which she har.
brought for my tea, and which, in her al,
straCtiOn, she forgot TO set Gown.
Not until she had at last shut the door
after her good-natured gossip, and | had
found the toast decidedly cold, did re-
member that | had heard a piano the
night before, as | sat and smoked. ap-
parently played next door. | accounted
for it by imagining that some one must
have arrived there sooner than Mrs. MCrse
knew
She told me the next morning that the
new neighbors were only young lady
and her aunt, and on hearing this most
successfully calmed her fears of the night
before.
During the next week | spent most of
my days in sketching an early English
church near, which had discovered with
great pleasure, and in the evening smoked
many pipe while listening to the piano
next door. 1t was, ! thought, a wOman's
touch, and she played well-chiehy old
airs and sOnatas Of Corelli | am very
fond of old musicians and there was in
this playing of them something very gentle
and soothing.
One evening at the end of that week, l
found, on coming in, note, which |
opened and read in great surprise
Miss Ethel Mayne would be very
greatly obliged if Mr.. Wyndham would
not allow his piano 10 be used at so late
an hour. Miss Mayne asks this for the
sake Of her aunt, an invalid, who Is
greatly disturbed by il"
| read this note over and over again,
each time with more anlaZement- How
could explain without seeming rude and
brusque, that not only had never played
| during my stay here, but that the house
did not even contain a pianO' Thompson
is not in the least musical The more |
thought of it the stranger il appeared.
One thing was Certain-the piano which
disturbed them must be the same as that
TO which had listened on so many even
ings. At last decided to call next morn
ing and explain better than a note could
that | was not to blame. ! did so about
II o'clock next day and was shown into a
drawing room wearing the uncomfortable
look common 10 newly arranged rooms.
before they had time 10 receive any marks
of the owners characteristics
In a few moments the door opened, and
tall girl. with sweet face came in. She
bowed as rose, and said
Mr. Wyndham, believer | imagine
| you have called in answer to my note.
am sure you will accede to my request.
Ny aunt is only now recovering from a
long illness, and the piano keeps her awake
at night"
Il would, of course, instantly discOn
/ tinue it," said. If it were in my power
/ but came to explain that ! have played
nothing since my coming here; indeed
my friend has no pianO-in fact, Miss
| Mayne, have thought that | was listen
ing to your playing every night, for 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. No; it is impossi
bic, as the window, from which We could
see some distance. showed the nearest
house to be separated from US by the
garden and street which ran at the bot
Af haSlHa tha KVhnla lpnprh n
another garden and rambling old orchard
"Is it possible" | said, feeling as if saw
a glimmer of light on the question, "tha
any Of your household walk in their sleep
We hear this quite late; and it might b,
possible-people have done such strang,
things in sleep"
Indeed, no." she said Il am afraiC
that will not do as an explanation. We hav,
just now only one old servant, whom
have known ali my life and | never knew
Of her doing such a thing. Besides, she is
not musical, smiling rs she said it. Z"
can answer for aunt and myself, and-foI
full assurance-Our piano is not yet un
locked. ! have the Key" touching he
watch chain Il have been too occupie,
with my aunt to touch it yet"
"It is more than | can understand" saiC
/, rising. 1T must be accounted for b!
some kind Of echo Twill write to III,
friend Thompson about it i am onl.
staying in this house for week or two, a
you may know. called because | wishet
you to unders how gladly would pu
stop to what annoys you, were | able
She gave me her hand on leaving