Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-09-04

banks Of a stream. But come. Daisy, we
must not keep Mr.. Fenton standing here.
Let us show him something more than the
outside of the house."
We entered, through q quaint stone porch,
q large hall. with immense open fireplace.
low paneled roof Of carved oak, and col
'umns Of the same wood supporting the cell
Ing. There were doors leading from this
hall in almost every direction. The apart
ment itself was furnished in a style which
corresponded with the architecture. There
were heavily carved Jacobean chairs and
tables, a lounge or two, some magnificent
black oak cabinets, and an antique clock
which would have treated a furore II 1t
could have been seen at Christy's An i'm
mense staircase, up which it would have
been an easy matter to drive the traditional
coach-and- -four, led from the hall to the
drawing room floor. The walls of the STAIR
case were hung with splendid tapestry.
From the gallery to which the stairs gave
access I was conducted by my host into the
drawing room, an apartment which corre-
sponded In size with the great hall below.
At either end of it were smaller rooms, one
fitted as a boudoir and the other as a H.
brary; while beyond these again were suites
Of spacious bed rooms, many with rudely
III V0A "0AAo VI pNAoAOA Jun, duN VUucC8
hung like the staircase with venerable tapes
try.
1 could not refrain from giving audible
expression to the admiration with which I
saw the noble dimensions Of all the apart
ments, and the fine taste with which they
were furnished.
eyes," said M~auleverer, ut all does
credit to the people who have made a ram
shackle old house habitable in a wonder
fully short space of time. When I saw it
three months ago, nobody would have sup
posed chat it could ever again be made fit to
live in. Yet we find it comfortable enough
now-do we not, Daisyi"
SOh, it is a charming place." she an
swered. "But you know, uncle, I nave
already told you that for some ~things-such
as brightness and life and society-I pre-.
ferred the Grand hotel at Scarborough"
eyes, my dear, I know you are always
throwing Scarborough in my teeth. Never
mind; we shall see it again some day."
/ had tried to catch Daisy's eye while her
uncle was speaking. but she would not look
at me-"
"You nave something here, at any rate"
I said, (which you a get at the Grand
hotel"
"What is that7" asked Mauleverer.
"a haunted room-Miss Stancliffe told me
Of it. 1 suppose you have not seen the ghost
yet9D
sYou dc not believe in such nonsenses"
said the millionaire.
eff 1 did I should not like to acknowledge
it in the present day." I replied.
"Nobody has seen it YET" said Daisy, with
an air of mock solemnity; but we all believe
In it-all but my uncle and DR.: Branksome.
And do you know that, il you aren not afraid,
you are to sleep in the haunted chamberi
It is the best bedroom in the whole house."
Afraid I should have been a poor crea-
lure, indeed, if. in the presence of the girl I
loved, and as I stood in the full sunshine.
which was streaming through the painted
windows from the cheerful day outside, I
had for an instant admitted the thought Of
fear to my heart.
"Oh, nothing could be better than that" I
cried, with a laugh; II shall be able to In.
vestigate a genuine case of ghost seeing for
myself. 1t is not often u man has that priv.
ilege."
"Aud very seldom that he has it under
such exceptional circumstances"
I turned with a sudden START; for it was
Branksome who had spoken. He had Joined
rs unperceived as we stood chattering in the
gallery ct the head Of the great staircase.
AZ " 0AA ~ AAo III q Lilouuly l6SQ-
ion, and then, continuing his speech, said:
:oom to-night-that Is, II you are not afraid
but in one which, l am told, nobody has
ventured to sleep in for more than a cen.
Jury"
$50 much the better. I ought to have u
story to tell tomorrow"
eyes," said Daisy, I'VE shall think very
poorly Of your imagination if you cannot
make our nerves tingle at breakfast time
With the horrors you have to relate"
~Anu may 1 see the torture chamber3"
asked, resolved to keep up the jest
"Oh, certainly" said Mauleverer. Ever
his usually equable temperament, which wa!
pervaded at most times by a mild melan
choly, seemed to have caught the spirit O.
the joke. But, with his accustomed kind
room when you have seen it. Idon't know
that it is altogether kind to ask you to slee1
in tit may be damp, or disagreeable IL
other ways, you know; SO ii you would
prefer another"
sBut, my dear Mr.. Mauleverer, there i
no other room in the house which I shall
prefer to this. I shall like it, l am sure
above all things"
And having said this, ! started of Will
the rest of the merry little party to look a
my destined dormitory. The room. I discov
cred. did not lie or the same floor as tn
drawing room, IN which most of the sleepin'
chambers were to be found. We passed alon,
q corridor from which a number Of bedroom
opened, until we came to q heavy oaken door
black with age, which barred one end of tn
passage. On opening this we found our
selves on a landing in another staircase
worm-eaten and silent, which descended int
black depths below us, and wound its wa,
above our heads for several flights. Up thi
staircase we went, still gayly. More tina
once we found an oaken door like tina. b
which we had come upon the stair, but i
every case the door was heavily barred an
padlocked. Some faint perception of the fac
that the haunted chamber had other disai
vantages besides the presence of q supposit
tious ghost hogan to enter my mind.
"You will be quiet enough here, at an,
rate" said Branksome. sunless the ghol
m to trouble you. there will be nothin
to disturb your sleep"
@And I suppose I shall at least hear th
ghost-in the shape of rata"
"Rats!" cried Daisy. II don't think the
have mounted as high Is this, but In til
kitchens they are to DO found in legions an
armies Every house has its special draw
back. 1t is not the ghost that is the draw
back here-it Is the rata"
u "You will need to sunmo tie Pied Pine