Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-07
THE GREEN LADY.
An ORIGINAL AND READABLE SORT OF
GHOST STORY.

friend Morton, and the last had heard
of him was that in one of his many
whims he had taken an old country house
for year and had gone to live there
with his sister, vowing that he had done
with London forever. At the time of
which l write he had been in the house
for nearly month; therefore I conf
IDENTIFY expected to see him very soon in
town. Nor was / deceived in this, for
one fine morning as | was coming out of
club to which we both belong, heard
him asking if Mr.. Latimer was in the
club. l went up and spoke to him, and
he turned round and shook hands with
me with unusual warmth.
"You," he said, "are the very man l
wanted. Come into the smoking-room
-there1 be nobody there now-and I'll
tell you all about it.
/ followed him, not in a very curious
state of mind, for felt a certainty that
sit" was some more or less ingenious ex-
cuse which he had invented to himself
for leaving the country house after the
first month of the twelve for which he
had taken it. In this belief, as will be
seen, was mistaken. After we had sat
down he remained silent for space,
gazing alternately straight into the empty
fireplace and then sideways at me with
q queer look as of one who had conf
dence to make but shrank from making
it. Once or twice, indeed, he almost be-
gan to speak and suddenly stopped him
self. Finally broke the silence by say
ing, "Well, old chap, what about the
house?'
He replied eagerly, '"That's just it,
Darsie; that's what want to talk to you
about"
ST suppose" 1 answered, "that you
want to give it up and would like to pass
on the agreement if it can be arranged"
"Give it up be hangedr' said Morton;
81 was never so bent on staying in a place
In my life"
Indeed" continued, with the sur
prise natural to one who knew his rest
less character, sis it so very agreeable?"
''On the contrary" he made answer,
''its 30 deuced disagreeable. Now don't
interrupt had done nothing of the
kind-"and Ill tell you all about IT," He
had said that before, but l was not in
discreet enough TO tell him so, and he
proceeded with his narrative.
"When took Grey Towers THAT was
the name of the house, "you were not in
London or | should have called you into
council" l bowed acknowledgment,
well knowing that if he had done 30 it
ing somebody to disagree with.
cit belongs to a relation of mine who
never lives there, and it had been empty
for considerable time. Too large for
most people, but like to have lots of
room"
"That," I said, sis true" remembering
Morton's habit of constantly changing
and interchanging the purpose of every
room In his house.
eyes, yes" he said, impatiently.
"Well, knew what kind of house it was
although I'd never been there-an Eliza
bethan mansion, moat, family pictures,
owners and my own ancestors, shaven
lawn, peacocks, cut yews, box edgings,
priests room, haunted room; all the bag
of tricks, in fact. Drainage had been
lately put in perfect order; climate ex-
cellent, fine old library left open for my
use; everything perfect, in fact"
"Then," | said, in moment of forget
fulness, 81 don't quite understand your
sticking to it."
''Didn't l tell you," replied Morton,
with a touch of irritation, "that there
turned out to be something very much
the reverse of perfect in it? If you'll only
let me get in word edgeways I'll ex-
plain"
''Do so, Barkins, do So" I answered,
quoting great actor.
"My sister," Morton went on, "was
delighted with the place. So was l. So
were the servants So was even the In
comparable One" This was the name
by which Morton's confidential valet was
known among u.s. I'm fact, l feared
that, as you limited just now, the place
might turn out to be far too perfect to
suit me"
eyes" observed, perfection is mo-
notonous, and you don't like that"
al can assure you," said Morton, "that
have had mighty small chance of try
ing it at Grey Towers. 1t was for a very
brief period-two or three days, l forget
which-that the sameneSs of excellence
endured. And when it ceased-" Nor
ton here exhibited as eloquent an apostle
pests as have heard, or rather as have
not heard.
"Why, what happened?' asked.
"That," retorted Morton, sis precisely
what / am anxious to find out. Part of
what happened can tell you in very
few words, but the greatest is behind
and that is what want to get at"
$50" interposed, ''the whole for once
LIS really greater than a part"
"Just so" replied my companion; ''but
let me tell you the part. AT the expira-
ton of two or three days one of the
housemaids gave warning, making some
rather hollow excuse, and saying that
she was sorry to leave SO good a place,
hut really had no choice in the matter.
The next day another one followed suit,
and then came the kitchen maid. Then
Che housekeeper was clOseted with my
sister for some time, and then my sister
came and begged me to see the house
keeper. This | did, and when she came
In l said: What is all this, Mrs. Thomp-
SOM
"'Wen, SIR she replied, Il wish /
rightly knew; but my belief is that If
things goes on much longer as they are
going on now, there won't be servant
rs will be left in the place in few days
time
""The Haunted Room, Mrs. Thomp-
sonT 1 said interrogatively.
"'No, sir, she replied, mot that par
ticularly. I've been in old houses like
this before, and most of them has
Haunted Room, and have noticed that
it is generally next door to the priests
yoom; but I've never known much trou-
bic come of the regular Haunted Room
before. Besides, if that was all, sir, you
could have it shut up. No, it's more
than that, sir. It's all over the place like
"'What is all over the place? asked.
"'Well, sir, things as oughtn't to be,
from what l make out
"'Indeed. I hope you don't believe
any of this nonsense, Mrs. Thompson?
al don't rightly know what to believe,
gir'
"'Weu. what do these girls say they've
SEEM
"'With some it's seeing and with some