Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-07-13

The porter then led the two travellers
up splendid staircase and through a
long corridor hung with tapestry, at
length turning into a large, empty
room, and evidently belonging TO the
dwelling of wealthy noble.
Near the door was large fireplace,
in which a fire soon blazed. Candles
were lighted. and the travellers saw
large and luxurious beds, with rich
hangings, one nearer 70 the entrance
than the other. \ table was placed
near the fire. and before long sub
stantial supper was brought. the uten-
sils supplied for the meal, and all the
belongings of the house showed con
siderable luxury.
After eating their supper the travel
ers went TO rest. The elder took the
bed nearest the door, leaving the 9th
er, at some feet off, 10 his companion.
Logs had been placed on the fire sutfi-
cient for the night, the door was
locked. and the wayfarers gladly be
took themselves 10 sleep.
About an hour after going 70 sleep
the elder suddenly awoke. starting in
his bed. He could not account for
this sudden waking The room was
strongly lighted with the fire, there
was no noise, and Count a. was about
to lay himself once again on the pill
low when strange sight met him. \
man of striking appearance, with a
gray beard, but dressed in blouse
walked slowly towards the bed When
he had approached within a few feet
he beckoned three times TO the count
as though wanting him 70 follow.
The count gazed at him without
moving, when the figure, bowling cour-
teously, turned round and walked
slowly away, stopping from time to
time and looking back, repeating his
beckoning gesture until he reached
the door with an imploring gaze, when
he disappeared. Naturally startled at
| this unusual appearance, Count \.
rose and walked 10 the door TO see if
/ it had been tampered with, but it was
/ still locked. Very weary, he returned
/ TO his bed once more and fell asleep.
| About an hour later he again started
| in the same sudden manner. Again
/ he saw the same figure, this time
nearer the bed. Again did it beckon
him TO follow, and, moving towards
! the door, turned with great eagerness,
and still oftener than before, To re-
! peat the same motion with his hand.
! The hand was that of IA gentleman,
small and white. and with a ring on
one of the fingers.
Frightened at this extraordinary ap-
| partition, Count \. this time woke his
| companion and narrated what had
| passed. Nonsense, replied the lat
| ter, you ate too much supper and
/ have been awakened by nightmare.
/ am really too tired to talk about it.
I
/ the elder traveller repeated the story,
/ however, impressed the younger, un-
/ til he proposed that the curtains Of
/ the counts bed should be tied to the
bed clothes of his, so that in case of IA
| third visit he could be awakened with
out noise. After securely fastening
/ the curtains of one bed TO the cover
! ings of the other. each returned to his
own couch.
\ third time the count was awaken
ed in the same startling manner. The
figure stood close to his bed, and the
face of the visitor looked down upon
that of the awakened sleeper. The
features of the apparition were plain
ly marked. They exhibited great pain
and sadness The count grasped the
hangings The apparition held up
his hand The count jerked at the
curtains, but they fell back without
resistance. for the knot had become
united. Once again the figure re-
treated sorrowfully, turning but sell
dom to beck. as though the attempt
had been given up in despair
1t was now near daYbreak. The
count awoke his companion, and they
sat up together till morning.
Shortly after dawn the caretaker,
according so previous agreement,
knocked at the door, which the count
unlocked with difficulty, and the
morning meal was brought in. The
caretaker looked curiously at the two
visitors as though inclined to ask
questions He, however, did not carry
out his intention.
The travellers, mindful Of their prom
ise, made no remark. The horses,
groomed and refreshed, were ready
for their journey, and the companions
left the chateau, the caretaker refus-
ing to accept any payment or gratu-
ity. The two men rode away, reached
their port of embarkation, and arrived
safely in England.
Not many years later the elder Of
the two returned TO France, and ac-
cepted the new state of things. The
Bonapart government offered him an
administrative post In the north. This
the count accepted, and among other
inducements which led TO his accept
ance was the chance Of calculating
the mystery which constantly required
TO his memory a very short time
elapsed after assuming his duties
when he inquired about the chateau
and its owners.
The story told him was that the
chateau belonged to Marquis de -,
a gentleman Of great wealth and of
retired habits. When somewhat ad-
vanced in life he had married a girl