Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-15
PEMBERTON'S ESCORT.

Maria was simply talking nonsense when
she said that had had nightmare. 1t was
not l who ate so heartily of James slap
jacks" and maple syrup at supper that night;
l was abstemious, and partook only of the
rold ham and dry toast, topping off with a
few educators and bit of old cheese. If she
had slept in the north chamber she would not
have been SO sure it was all dream
knew when bought the house that it was
considered haunted" and that that was one
reason why it had so long been tenantless
and was sold so cheap, though perhaps the
tact that modern civilization had not brought
railway within ten miles of it may also
have reduced its marketable value. But
neither Of these considerations had any weight
whatever with me after had once been over
the dear old place, with its low ceilings
and its high wainscots, its broad stairways,
Its tall carved mantelpieces and generous fire.
places, its square windows thickly set with
tiny panes of irregular, greenish glass; after
had caught one glimpse Of the rambling gar
den full of the old fashioned flowers-mari-
Colds, sweet williams, mourning brides, pop
pies, Glove pinks, pieotees, ladies' slippers,
johnny jump ups and larEspurs-decorously
fenced in with borders of spicy box-with its
gray, moss grown, cracked stone sun dial sur
rounded by bed of English daisies: with its
hmpld pond, fed by a natural spring, now
half choked by PUSHES and cow lilies All, do
not wonder that even hot Drained, unroman-
tic Sir Rufus hated to leave the placei And,
assure you, take great credit TO myself be-
cause succeeded in making him do so.
We-my sister Maria and took the place
SO that we might have summer home, not
mere makeshift abiding place; and as our old
Jane had been brought up Oh a farm, she was
only too glad to go with US. To be sure it
was good ways from Boston, but then Jane
had no followers" Maria was too lame to
care much about shopping, and as for me, 1
was delighted to own far of spot, where re-
porters could not find me, and where a hasty
summons to lecture in some distant town
would be very sure to come to hand Just
about twenty-four hours too late. Oh, was
sure could rest there
As have said, it was an old house-an an
te-coIonial house one might almost say, for its
foundations were laid soon after the Speed
well landed her first living cargo on these
shores; and it was only right and proper that
it should be "haunted"-yes, haunted by
many memories. Could its walls have owned
a tongue as well as ears, what story might
be able to related
We were very, very tired the first night Of
our stay in our new home, and if there were
any nocturnal visitors, we knew it not; any
such as rats or mice, Rags always attended TO
most faithfully.
The second night, however, was not abb
TO sleep as well as usual, though l had 70
tired at my customary hour, SO Law calmly
awake rounding off certain periods in my
new lecture, "Womans Prior Existence" in
which l ably proved that Eve really was
created before Adam, even accepting the
Genesaic account Of creation; theirs she lay,
perdu, in Adams rib; that rib WAS formed
before he breathed; therefore, she must have
preceded him; however, You are not in
terested IN that. / merely mention il TO prove
that / was wide awake; how could one 60 to
sleep when meditating upon SO important and
soul stirring matter?
A movement, an inaudible rustic, if may
use the term, in the big chintz covered easy
chair near the fireplace attracted my atten-
ton. l glanced in that direction. Then |
looked again. The room was flooded with the
full glory of the midsummer moon, and I
could distinctly see that my unexpected
visitor was the semblance OF a man-of a man
in the prime Of life, clad in the costume of
$50 wears ago. That he was not u man was
instantly assured by perceiving that, though
his lips moved, no sound issued therefrom;
the blue roses and yellow parrots depicted on
the chintz were plainly discernible through
biz figure.
Now l. Eustasia Pemberton. have faced far
too many audiences 70 experience any stage
fright at the mere sight of ghost.
Therefore, drawing the Counterpart decor
ously around me, I propped myself mora
securely up AMONG the pillows. and then adj
dressed him-it--well, let US simplify matters
and say him"
"Sir Rufus Lounsberry, presumed" said /,
interrogatively.
He rose TO bis full height, laid his shadowy
hand over where his heart used to be, and
bowed profoundly.
Pray resume your seat, sir; am comfort
able; please make yourself so, for our chat
may Ice prolonged one"
With another courteous inclination he re-
sumed his former position.
Il heard continued. when bought this
house. that it was said 10 have unearthly visi-
tors-'haunted,' the bucolIc mind deemeth II;
SO have been expecting 70 see soueth-sone .
one l have been told that until il passed into
my possession this mansion has never been .
OUT SA Tue L14A49 u al <atllclls 10 You Know II
that is soia
He bowed affirmatively.
"Yesl Thanks. Wen now, my friend, as .
you were not born here, why do you not go
home to your ancestral halls in Englandf
Why do you remain in strange lardi /
Would it not be more satisfactory to haunt
the mansion where yoo were borHl II YOU
have any sense of honor" (here his hand few
TO his ghos;ly scabbard, but did not hest
tate), "you VIII perceive that you are now in
t-uding While the Aldens owned this house,
perhaps YOU, whose mother was an Alden. did +
have a ghost-I beg pardon!-a shadow OF
claim 70 linger around; but there is no Alden 4
blood in my veins, nor Lounsberry either, and T.
pardon me II seem inhospitable you are an .
en- welcome visitor This hocse is not large .
enough for you and me too, and I promise /
Won viii not vacate Il.
The ghost stirred uneasily and opened its /
colorleSs lips as if speaking; however, its
apology, if apology there were, was inaudi- /
bic
do not exert those spectral jaws con-
tiuusd. Il cannot hear you. In your case,
actions will indeed speak louder than words.
U you have taken my hint, prove it-by van