New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-05-26

that to which I had listened on so
many evenings. At last / decided to
call next morning, and explain better
than note could, that was not to
blame. l did so, about IL O'Clock
next day, and was shown into draw
lng-room wearing the uncomfortable
look common to newly arranged
rooms, before they had time to re
ceive any marks of the owners char
acteristics.
In a few moments the door opened,
and a tall girl, with dark hair and
sweet face, came in. She bowed as
rose, and said:
"Mr. Wyndham, Ibelieve? imagine
you have called in answer to my note.
I am sure you will accede to my re-
quest. My aunt is only now recover
ing from a long illness, and the piano
keeps her awake at night
"Iwould, ofcourse, instantly discon-
tinueit," Isaid, fit 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, l 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.
| 81 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 impossible" as the window,
from which we could see some distance,
showed the nearest house to be sep
arated from us by the garden and a
street which ran at the bottom of it,
besides the whole length OF another
garden and rambling old orchard.
els it possible" Isaid, feeling as if
| saw a 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
Ill sleep"
Indeed, no." she SAID. "I am
afraid that will not do as an explana-
ton. We have just now only one
servant, whom have known all my
life, and never knew of her doing
such a thing. Besides she is not mu-
steal, . smiling as she said it. II can
answer for my aunt and myself, and
for full assurance-our piano is not
yet unlocked. Ihave the key" touch
ing her watch-chain. "1have been too
occupied with my aunt to touch it as
yet"
cit is more than l can understand, :"
said |, rising. cit must be accounted
for by some kind Of echo. will write
to my friend Thompson about it.
am only staying in his house for a
week Or two, as you may know. |
called because [ wished you to under
stand howgladly would put stop to
what annoys 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 better
| wrote to Thompson, and got in a
day or two the following characteristic
note:
"Dear Wyndham-You must have
been asleep. People next door, too.
Never heard any piano, and 1 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 Idon't hear 1T. Can't bear music.
Delighted that you like the country.
Yours, CT. T."
| called at the end of the week, to
tell Miss Mayne the result ofmy letter
The aunt was better and down stairs;
they gave me afternoon tea, and
came away thinking that the m mystery,
as it still was, had at least obtained
for me two very pleasant acquaint-
elnceS.
But the unexplained music did not
pass from my mind; especially as
heard it still, though not every eve
ming. l am a believer in what are
| loosely called GHOSTS" and one day
when Mrs Morse was in a talkative
mood, as she took away my tea, ]
brought her conversation round to
the subject of haunted houses, hoping
that, if there were any tradition be-
longing 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: ''This looks a
likely house for such stories, but ]
have never heard, nor look to hear or
see anything, but some people are SO
silly. There was 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 sensi-
BILE. Such nonsense! I used to tell
her she dreamt of what her head was
full of, for she was all for music-won-
derfully fond Of it. Why couldn't she
mind her work and sleep at night with
out dreams, as honest people should?"
With this last moral sentiment Mrs.
Morse and the tea things clattered
away together. What she had said
was odd, l thought. Certainly l was
more than half inclined to account
for that piano as something supernat-
ural, but I could not call next door
and say so. 1t would seem ridiculous,
and / should certainly run the risk OF
being laughed at.
4 A few days later my holiday came to