Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-09-18
MIR. HEAPHEY'S GHOST.

This story is told by n New York friend Of
artist resident in London. Charles Dickens
in his published letters refers to "Heaphey'ss
Ghost" as the most wonderful ghost story
ever heard."l
Near the end of .ong summer day,
toward the close of London season,
Mr.. Heaphey was alone in his studio in
London. 1t was large apartment with
alcoves, in one of which a number of
portraits and pictures were hung upon
the walls, with the usual bricabrac of
an artists reception room. This room
was entered directly from landing
place at the head of broad flight of
stairs leading down into the street and
past small porter's room, for the studio
was in public building occupied by
number of persons.
Coming into his reception room from
a smaller cabinet, into which he was
putting away some papers, Mr.. Heap
hey was startled to see a lady, quite UNI
known to him, young, of good figure and
carriage, dressed quietly, in perfect
taste and in the fashion. who was walk
ing around the room and inspecting the
pictures.
Mr.. Heaphey approached and saluted
her, observing as he did SO that, while
she was unquestionably fine looking, her
cOuntenance was unusually pale, and
that her eyes, which she fixed upon him
a. lie spoke to her, had singular, ant,
as he afterward described it, almost
~uncanny" expression.
She made no explanation whatever of
TIER presence, but at once asked him
whether he could paint Immediately a
portrait of her for dear friend to whom
she wished to send it as soon rs possible.
Mr.. Heaphey replied that he would he
happy to do so if it were in his power,
but that he was on the point of leaving
London for O round of visits in the
country; that he had many professional
engagements which would probably &C.
.cupy him during the remainder of the
year.
The lady treated these objections with
polite indifference and persisted, saying
that IL would not be necessary for Mr..
Heaphey that she should sit to him.
"You will not forget my face, said she
with q singular information, "and if l
am not misinformed as to your talents
you can make q sketch of me now from
which you could paint such portrait
as WISH.
Mr. Heaphey thanked her for her good
opinion, but again excused himself.
Nothing would do, however, and the
: lady finally carried her point SO far that
Mr.. Heaphey-he could hardly say why.
and certainly against his own will and
acknowledgements to undertake the
commission.
1T will be necessary for me, he said,
ITO And some time during the autumn
when can give you your sittings, and
II you will oblige me with your name
and address will see what l can do and
will let you know"
THAT is hardly necessary" said the
lady. II will be here at any time you
appoint.
Mr.. Heaphey looked at her with
astonishment
But don't see how you can be here
unless I let you know when that time
will BE-.
i. Il shall have no difficulty about that,
said the lady, almost petulantly. "Ir
the mean time I will see that you have
an engraving of face which I an
told strongly resembles my own-se
strongly that it has sometimes beer
mistaken for portrait of me. This will
serve to keep me in your mind. sh'
said, smiling; "and. by the way, I wisl
you would try to make sketch of M
snow!"
Puzzled by the lady's manner as mucl
~ by her words, he quietly said:
"Oh, excuse me, will get my addres
book, and we will arrange matters;
and with this he turned his back for
moment to the lady, and going to desk
opened it to take out the book Of whicl
he spoke. When he turned again wit
the book in his hand to his profoun
establishment the lady had vanished!
The door Of the studio was shut. as
had been during the whole interview.
He instantly ran and opened it.
No trace of her could be seen.
He ran hastily down and QUESTION:
the porter. His amazement was heigh
ened when he found that the porter nc
only protested that he had not seen an
AdOy 20 Out, Out uoCAutCu tAoSs 81 AoA 6
he knew, no lady had entered the buil'
ing for more than an hour before.
He went up stairs again and set abo'
the occupation in which he had been II
.terrupted by his extraordinary visito
His arrangements to leave town beir
completed. the next morning he wel
back to the studio to see that everythir
was put in proper order for the vac
vtion, and to give some final direction
On his desk lay, with number OF Il
tiers from the mail, a small roll Of pap
addressed to him by name, but bearil
NO postmark or any sign of having pass
through the mails. He took this roll
paper up carelessly, opened it. and,
his unspeakable establishment, fou
himself confronted with an engrav
portrait Of lady bearing most mi
velous resemblance in the form Of
head manner of wearing the hair, q