Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-06-01
Should | Have Spoken?

invitation from an old friend of mine.
Col. Armitage. to rum down to his
house. Medlcott Grange. in Berkshire.
for some hunting and couple of balls.
As in those DAYS | was-well. some
years younger than am now. and
(having but lately returned from India
on sick leave) very keen on all sorts of
English amusementS, | wrote off n hur-
RED note of acceptance and speedily
followed it,
l knew Mrs. Armitage slightly. and
was we'll acquainted with the Colonels
taste in champagne. besides which /
had met not long before. and uncom-
monty pretty sister of his. whom |
thought it would be by no means UNI
pleasant 20 meet again; so started off
IN the best of spirits to catch the 1880
train at Paddington.
calculated that a run of two hours
would give me ample time for the three
miles drive and to dress for dinner at
s. However vain were nv hopes,
there was break down on the Lac,
which kept me kicking my heels at n
wretched junction for over All ho0c. and
we only reached Estbury Station at
o'clock. There was no help for il
dashed into the carriace sent 80 me.
and arrived at the Grange ia as short II
time ~ Armitage's steady old coach
man would allow. but found my host
alone. awaiting me IN the haE. with
outstretched hand and genial well
come.
| knew that he WAS regular mar
tinet for punctuality. SO was not sur
prised when he hurried me mp directly
10 my room. with orders to dress sharp.
1t was a large. and well appointed
room. with "A bright fire and candles.
which looked very CHEEKY after my long
drive.
"All right, old chap. I'll send Reg
gle up TO show you the way down in n
quarter of an hour" were the Colo
mel last words, as he left me TO my
toilet.
dressed rapidly, but remem boring
the long passages, unexpected steps. IN
tricate turnings and numerous stair
cases | had traversed on nv way up
waited for my promised conductor
Suddenly the gong Numbered through
the house. and |, thinking | was forgot
ten. put out my candles aud turned to
the duor-when ii was softly opened.
and young man appeared. who beck
oned TO me.
/ followed him into the passage.
which was rather dark. and began TO
say something expressive of nv obliga-
ton to him; but he silenced me with Il
wave of his hand. and preceded me,
along the passage.
| thought this was odd, but my sur
prise increased when he took an abrupt
turn to the left. which / did not remem-
Der. and we found ourselves in long.
low, oak paneed corridor. dimly light
ed BY hanging lamp.
| began 10 feel curious sensation
stealing over me. and endeavored to
speak. but was withheld by an undefin-
ed feeling. so followed my guide in per-
feet silence to to the end of the CORR
dor. He then passed through green
baize door. up flight of corkscrew
stairs. and through another passage,
still feeling myself impelled TO follow.
till he stopped. opened door, and
stood back for me to pass before him.
had not seen his face before, but
had observed he was rather above the
middle height with good figure and
rather military gait; his hair was fair
and cut very short
Now. however. saw his face; it
was ashy white. with such an express
sion OF horror and fear In his wide
open eyes as froze my blood; again
made an Intellectual attempt to speak to
him, but he motioned me imperiously
to enter, and felt constrained 10
obey.
| found myself In an oddly. shaped
room. only lighted by the pale rays OF
the winter moon. which shone In coldlv
through the curtainless windows. IL
was evidently an unused apartment
for there was no carpet. and my foot
steps sounded hollow on the boards.
Between the windows. half in shadow,
half moonlight. stood large bed, As
| gazed upon il my eyes became gradu-
ally accustomed to the dim light. and
observed with n shuddcr that il was
draped with black and decorated with
tall black plumcs. like those on "A
hearse. and that there was n motion
less form extended upon it.
glanced around for my guide-he
was gone and the door was shut.
though had heard no sound.
A th rill OF horror ran through my
veins; felt an almost irresistible desire
to fight; but again the same inexplica-
bic force urged me on. and approach
ed the bed with slow and trembling
steps.
There lay young. and as far as l
cosld see. beautiful girl dressed as a
bride. in white satin and lace. wreath
OF orange on her head and the long.
white veil covering. though not OBJ
securing her features; but oh! horror!
the font of her dress and veil all dab
bled and soaked in blood, which 1
could see flowed from deep open
cash in her white throat