The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-03-20
GREENBRIAR GHOST.

This was my first visit % Gireenbriar, 7
gloomy Old place some miles from the
city. which Uncle Lad obtained al bar
gain beeiu~e Of its reputation as heine
the abiding place of d real ghost And
Cousin Celia had been showing me the
house, but stopped short on the landing
refusing to 90 further
Now. Uncle Remns, with his whole
family. disbelieved N spiritual NANTES.
tations with vengeance. Certainly
then, Celia was not cowardly. No, there
were other reasons for her peculiar air as
she preceded me down the narrow flight
OF shadowy stairs TO the hall below. ]
was certain Of IL my curiosity was
aroused was sure a mystery existed
somewhere above the third floor. and
soon found myself planning 10 inyesti-
gate the matter, even il ] had to visit the
apartments by night
The family residing there, and Of whom
Uncle Remus purchased the property,
could not explain the mysterious sounds
they heard. but had said that @once d
very wicked man lived there, who after
receiving a visit from his brother, a very
wealthy man from the east. suddenly
went away. none knew whittier. After
that the grounds we're held for sale thro'
an agent
How true this story wasI did not know
nor care. My relatives 'pooh-hooed7 the
whole Of il. as well as the visitations. and
why should / concern myself in the mat
ter? l only wished to find out the reas-
on for Celia's strange manner. and TO see
the contents Of the garrett chambers, and
this | was determined 70 do, by some
hook or crook os fortune.
And fate was unexpectedly and uu-
kindly kiud-if may express it that
way-sooner than ] dared TO hope.
1t was evening. Celia and / were un-
der the oak trees. lettering about in the
twilight, discussing plans for the NOR
row. when man crossed the lawn and
doiiing his cap to her said
There has been an accident over at
the Meadows this afternoon. Miss Lisle.
Mrs. Glyiord desires you to come over if
you can its her husband who is hurt
ina'am. in runaway
Vow. Mrs Glynforl was an especial
friend, and Of course, Celia must 10. She
looked AT me-
Go. said ], thinking Of the third story.
90 by al means, for I shall get along
nicely. I shall write to mamma, or real
TO Aunt Lncia. or, firing Of both, viii
retire.
i She kissed me feryently at this, and ran
off TO make ready f1r her good SImari-
tan call. Presently she came back.
-Flossie, don't take It into your head
to explore the garnet chambers while I
am gone, it wouldn't be pleasant to 90
wandering about alot Of cold, silent com
partments in the night / fancied she
shivered, besides, mamma doesn't ap-
prove Of lights being carried through the
house, afraid Of conhagration. you
know" And she laughed nervously.
! concluded to ,lissemble.
-Do you imagin- am brave enough TO
stalk that ghost alone, in the night
watches - I asked, Rest assured 1 shall
keep below"
Thissatisiied her, and she walked away
toward the house once more. / staid un-
der the trees until ten o'clock then
went to my room. y laid my watch
in It's case fell 10 musing.
IL seemed to me that my cousin had
weigh;Ier reasons for not taking me to
those chambers, or else was over particu-
lar indeed.
Ny rooms were on the ground floor.
What harm would there be in nv going
to the upper floor and, perhaps. walking
the length Of the corridor? None. /
peeped out in.o the bail Everybody was
abed all was still, AMI the moonlight
came softly through the great windows
above, flooding the staircase leading
thither, with a silsery radiance.
TO be afraid on su-h night as this ~
CALCULATED. Il ana going to the corridor
Suiting the action to the word, / as
eended the steps to the first landing and
stood moment peerng up to the mys-
ferrous corridor above me. The next
Eight Of steps was not long and soon
found myself on the 1oor-On the forbid
den ground
Three narrow windows lighted up the
lonely, silent piace rather dinly near the
landing where I stood. while the other
end Of the empty corridor was dark
well" I said, this ism. interesting:
in spite Of Aunt Lucy. l believe I viii
bring my lamp
As I turned 10 % down ! caught sight
Of the gleam Of lamplight shining out
across the polished floor Of the corridor
from under the door Of one Of the unex-
plored chambers
Celia had given me TO understand that
no one occupied this floor and that the
rooms were not even furnished. Sudden-
ly ig daaned uron me that had come
to the rny-tery
Seized with startling impression Of
danger, I started hastily down stairs,
hoping to reach my own apartments be-
fore being discovered
But before bad descended three steps
the door above openel aud a stout look
ing man came ont. dragging something
after him. Instead Of rushing away 10
my rooms, / stood rooted % the spot by a
curious feeling Is If [ we're not myself
but another.
Slowly and lal,oriou-iy the man came
down the corridor toVsrl me with MS
burden. Ashe drew hear I shrank back
in horror; he Was half carrying. half
dragging the iifeless body Of murdered
knew, by the gaping
wound ia bis throat, from which the
blood siilI irickled down.
saw It plainly As ne passed me in the
on the landing. held my
breath what next Would the stout.
rillainous boxing wretch see me and
Kill me for being an eye witness 10 his
awful crime
He took no notice of me whatever. bat
opened the small door to the attic over
.he wing and, dragging the body into