Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-07
And with this Peregrine Be

''This is an odd business" said Morton
when we got into the street; sbut as I've
consulted Peregrine I'll go by his advice
and see it out according to his instruc-
tons. We shall just catch the next train
if we start now"
We occupied part of our time on the
journey-that day of the week was Tues
day-in devising a more or less plausible
tale to account for the presence which
Peregrine had told Us to expect of a
strange lady, and arrived at Grey Towers
in time for dinner. Morton's sister in
formed US that nothing new had hap
pened in the way of disturbance, but
that some of the old experiences had
been repeated, and that some more SER
wants had given warning. He in return
took her into confidence concerning our
visit to Mr.. Peregrine. l watched with
some curiosity to see how she would re-
ceive his story; she IS woman of strong
nerve, strong judgment, and little speech.
She heard him out and said, quietly: 81
think Mr.. Peregrine is man of sense"
She went to bed early, and Morton and I
went to the billiard room, where pres
emily entered to US the incompatible
One with bottle and glasses. Having
put his tray down, he stood and looked
mquiringly at Morton.
''Well, what is it?' asked Morton.
BEG pardon, SIR replied the valet,
''but told you about those lights and
noises"
Eyes. What of them?"
"They were there again tonight, sir,
and curious thing happened"
"What was it,
"The lights were flashing and hopping
about in the passage to the anteroom,
and | heard mutterings and whisperings
all round, when the lights grew grad
ally dim, and I SAVIOR I thought saw
"a woman taller than any of the women
n the house come along the passage. 7
could not hear her football, but I thought
[ could hear the rustic of her dress, and
she seemed to lift up her hand with a
commanding gesture, and then the lights
all went out and the noises ceased.
thought you might like to know. sir"
"Thank you. Did you see how she
was dressed"
''No, sir; it was too dark"
every good. rely upon you not to
say word of this to anyone else. And
if you see this woman again don't take
any notice"
Every good, sir" said the essence of
discretion, and left us.
''The Green Lady!'' said to Morton.
''May be " he replied. "Let us go to
the room where my nephew slept"
We went, taking glass-shaded candles
with us. Now both Morton and I re-
membered the story his nephew had told
about the room, and therefore it cannot
be denied that imagination may have
caused us to think that on entering the
DOM we heard a scuff1e behind the VAIN
scoting, followed by the clank of steel,
which gave way to rustling sound, as
Of silk dress, which in its turn was sue
ceeded by absolute silence. We left the
room and exchanged our impressions,
which were as above recorded.
The next day, as was once said in ev-
idence before grand jury by an engag-
ing pawn-broker's boy. who came to a
sudden stop in the midst of too fluent
and probable story-"the next day no
think 'appened" But in the evening,
after Morton's sister had gone to bed, an
idea occurred to me- "What was it you
told me about strange doings in the
moat" asked Morton. "'Singular Con-
duct of Rotten Boat might have been
the heading in newspaper"
eyes," Morton replied; sit was some
thing of that kind that the butler told
me-"
"Then," said I, ''let us go down to the
moat." There was just enough moon to
show us our way without the help of
lantern, and we took up our station just
opposite to the buffers window. In
about five minutes we heard a distinct
splashing in the water.
. "Water rats" I whispered to Morton.
"Hush?" he whispered back. "Listen!"
I did, and presently through the gentle
plash, plash which still went on we both
heard low, curious voice say, "Nol I
will not have it." Then the splashing
ceased and all was quiet.
We looked at each other.
"The same voice." said.
eyes," replied Morton, "not doubt of
it. l think that will do for tonight" So
we went back and played one game at
billiards and then went to bed.
The morning of the following day,
Thursday, we spent in idleness and lawn
tennis, and, whether by design ON each
PERSONS part or by chance, no reference
was made to the Singular Manifestations
until we all meet at luncheon. Then
Morton's sister said, ''Have you been in
the grass walk this morning."
We replied that we had not, and VEN
tured to ask why the inquiry was made.
"For this reason" she answered. "You
o.
what she called the monks?"
"Quite well" replied Morton. "Any-
thing new about them?'
"This much. Either she was not far
wrong or some strange folk got into the
garden this morning, for as | was going
up the grass walk l distinctly saw a per-
son, either in long brown ulster or In
brown monks frock, going quickly into
a by-path, followed by a woman in q
green dress. You may imagine that I
pursued them, but when | got to the path
there was nothing there"
"Was she tall?" asked Morton.
"She was tall. Perhaps it was Mr.
Peregrine's Green Lady"
perhaps it was" said Morton, and
then we went back to lawn tennis.
On Friday morning, at about -, the
new gardener asked for an interview with
Morton, with whom l was sitting in the
smoking room.
"Come to give warning?' I said to
Morton, interrogatively. "More appear
ances?"
s'Not so sure,'' Morton answered. "I'u
have him in. Don't you 60 Stay and
see it out"
Accordingly the new gardener came
in bashfully. He stood first on one leg
then on the other, twirling hat charac-
teristic of gardening between his hands,
and twice addressed himself to motion as
he would speak, and ended in Kind OF
Growing gap.
Come, Williams, !" said Morton, "speak
out. Don't be afraid of astonishing me-"
well, sir" said the gardener, taking
heart, ''since you say 80. 1 did hear,
sir, that the last gardener left on account
of something wrong with the cascade"
EsWronor i" said Morton WalI-why-