The Portland daily press., 1892-12-31
A FAIR RECLUSE.

DEAR FRANK-I have found the very house
for youJacobean period and almost original.
1t was tritie spoiled by some Fhiistine ndi-
vdual about thirty years since, but with your
taste and the aid of the local architect every
thing can be put right. This pearl of houses
goes by the name OF Thorpe manor, and is of
course haunted. so you may relieve the monot-
ony of country life by genuine ghost hunt.
Ever yours, JOHN RIDGwAY.
r. S.-The house is in Surrey. about four
miles from Winton station. You had better,
come down at once, as hear some one else is
after it.
At that time was fairly good look
ing. well to do bachelor of thirty-five.
My ample leisure devoted to antigua
rian researches, literary work and the
collection of "curios." had no rela-
tives and few friends, and | lived an
almost solitary and perfectly happy life
in my chambers.
Among what some people called my
"craze" was an enthusiasm for ancient
houses. and had deputed John Ridg-
way, an artist friend of mine who lived
in Surrey. to find me genuine old coun-
try house-a dreamy, rambling place
where could spend the summer. Hence
his letter.
AS the train steamed into the little
station at Winton John rushed up to
my carriage and clasped my hand. Dear
old chapl he quite beamed with joy at
the prospect Of showing me his wonder
full house.
Charming old placel I've had my
eye on it for months!'' he said as he
walked over the common.
Then he produced the inevitable note
book and pencil and was soon drawing
plans and explaining details.
As we passed through the village we
called upon the house agent and took
him with us. He was prosaic man,
and evidently thought we were a couple
of mild lunatics, SO excited did we be-
come when suddenly turning corner at
the foot of a steep incline we stood in
front of Thorpe manor. Itwas quaint
old house, standing back a little from
the road, and its walls were as perfect
as when first built, but mellowed and
beautiied by time.
We walked up the prim gravel path
to the wide doorway with its fantastic
carving. Here our agent produced a
huge, rusty key and unlocked the door,
which swung back easily on its large
hinges. We entered and went through
the rooms, which had low ceilings and
broad window seats. Most of these had
paneled walls. though some Of them had
been covered with paper, which of
course we said must come off. One of
the bedrooms-which l thought from
the elaborate carving on the high man.
tel shelf and the beautiful oak paneling
had originally been the state one-was
perfect.
felt strangely attracted to this room,
know not why, and as we turned to
leave fingered behind the others for a
parting glance. Then slowly went
down the winding stairway.
'sSeen the ghost" asked John jest
ingly.
The agent looked uneasy. Ghosts are
tiresome things, apt to initiate very
much against the chances of securing a
good tenant, but reassured him by re-
marking that / rather liked ghosts, and
that, SO far as could see, the house was
exactly what wanted. Of course there
were many details to be settled about
the lease, repairs and other matters, and
| stipulated that should be allowed to
make some alterations, such as remov-
ing the staring plate glass with which
the late owner had ''modernized" the
windows of the lower rooms.
Six weeks later was installed in my
new residence. The alterations were
not nearly completed, but declining the
Ridgways' pressing invitation to take
up my quarters with them. occupied
two rooms in the old house and engaged
woman in the village to come daily
and attend to my simple wants.
On the third evening after my arrival
was smoking my favorite pipe by a
wood fire in the darkroom, which had
made my bedroom. 1t was nearly 12
o'clock, but being accustomed to late
hours did not feel inclined for bed
far from it, decided to have one more
pipe, and hastily taking up my pouch l
began to refill my pipe. Suddenly l
stopped short, and with my little finger
still rammed into the bowl of the pipe
left my chair and walked to the opposite
| side of the room. for could have sworn
saw the paneling move ever SO slightly
upward. Nor was | mistaken; for very
| slowly the whole panel disappeared, and
in the opening stood the figure of wo-
| man.
The room was dark. for the wood fire
| had begun to smolder, SO could not see
what she was like-young or old, ugly
| or beautiful.
was not nervous-I had a profound
disbelief in the supernatural-so l sim
ply waited to see what the intruder pro-
posed to do. She advanced into the
room and came close to my elbow, then
raised her hand and beckoned me to fol-
low her. OF course went, and she led
me through the aperture and down a
steep wooden staircase. It was pitch
dark, but struck matches at intervals.
| My companion went on quickly, never
looking behind her. but smiled as she
raised her skirts gingerly from the dusty
| stairs, and once saw the woman shud-
der as rat scuttled by.