Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-22
THE MANSFIELD GHOST.
do you believe in ghosts" said to
my friend Fenton, as we sat on the porch
one evening, enjoying quiet smoke in
the cool night air.

do you believe In ghOStst said to
my friend Fenton, as we sat on the porch
one evening, enjoying quiet smoke in
the cool night air.
Yes. I have seen che"
"You have, When? Whereg'
Don't ask too many questions at q
time and I'll tell you"
We'll, so on I'm ell impatient to
hear it.
well, one summer, about ten years
ago, having no business that needed nv
particular attention, thought | would
run down TO shire, and see nv old
college friend Mansfield and his wife
When | got down 70 his placs found
that neither himself nor his wife was at
home, but as the housekeeper expected
them to return in a few days concluded
to stay till they came.
The first day after my arrival ! spent
in rambling through the grounds about
the ancient place; the next day was a
rainy one, and had to stay in the house.
Ny room was on the third floor overlook
ing the court yard. After dinner | went
up to it, and, stirring up the fire, took
nv book and sat down 10 read | read q
short time, and then, letting the book
drop on ny knee. listened 10 the steady
drip. drip Of the rain on the flags Of the
court yard Soon I fell into a reverie,
and then into state CT seni-conscicus-
ness.
was aroused from ny dreaming By
seeing through my half closed eyes the
door noiselessly open and a young woman
enter. She was an extremely pretty
girl, with light hair falling in long curls
over her shoulders. Her dress was an
old fashion-just as / suppose nv great
grandmother dressed when she was
young Her tiny feet were ircased in
high heeled, red morocco slippers. She
advanced to the table and laid off her
scarf and drew up a chair to the fire
without as much as chow dye dO:" or
even taking the slightest notice of me
whatever. She then drew from her
pocket q miniature portrait of q very
handsome young man. From my posi-
ton l could see IL as it lay in her hand
His countenanCe was open and manly and
his dark hair was clustered IN short curls
around his forehead He was dressed in
q fashion as antiquated as that Of the
lady; delicate rut1es were around his
throat and at his wrist; il his hand he
carried a riding whip.
She gazed at the picture long and
tenderly, with q loving smile On her
lips. One Of the curls fell back and dis
closed to my view a ghastly wound on
the temple. Til then l had been too
amazed 70 think; but ROW the conviction
rushed upon NE that nv visitor was not
Of this world | was frightened, and SGT
Ike one il q dream.
She replaced the picture in her pocket
and, going to . corner. drew cut harp.
l had never seen It before. though l had
been IN the room a dozen times Draw
ing it 70 her side. she nm her fingers
over the strings and began 70 sing IN 6
low voice. Her song was in some for
eien language. She had Z sweer voice,
and as it foated through the room.
mingled with the lingering sounds Of the
harp. they had an unearJhly sound that
filed me with dread.
Suddenly she stopped in her song,
and, looking IL the direction Of the door,
sat In listening attitude for some time;
then she resumed her song. But she
seemed restless. She locked first sc the
door and then 81 the window. as II eI-
pectinx some one. At last she rose and.
putting the harp n TIE corner, rcn 70
the window and E,1rCl1red % herself:
What can keep Roger? de should
have been here before now"
She stood but 3 moment. when she
grew pale as death. her eyes dilated. she
clzsped her hands ADORE her head, and.
with wild scream Of agony, threw up
the window and flung herself out. This
reused me-. / sprang up and ran to the
window. It was closed, This staggered
me- / threw II VI and looked down into
the courtyard, fully expecting 70 see her
lying senseless On the stonas- But no.
There wss 10 ere the-e e1ceut e ssCvsc.