The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-11-08
A FAIR RECLUSE.


for you Jacobean period and almost original.
II was a trfie spoiled 10y some Philistiue indi-
vidual about thirty years since, but with your
taste and the aid of the local architect every
thing can De put right. This pearl of houses
goes 10y the name of Thorpe manor. and is of
course haunted, 30 you may relieve the rnOnot-
ony of country life by a genuine ghost hunt.
Fer yours, john RIDGwAY.
T.. The house is in Surrey. about four
miles from WintOn station. You had better
come down nj once, a. hear some one else is
after il.
AT that time was fairly good look
ing. well to do bachelor Of thirty-tive
My ample leisure devoted to antigua
rian researches. literary work and the
collection of "curios. had no reia-
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 chap! he quite beamed with JOY at
the prospect Of showing me his wonder
full house.
Charming old place! 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 MS. He was a prOsaic man.
and evidently thought we were a couple
of mild lunatics, so excited did we be-
come when suddenly turning a corner at
the foot of steep incline we stood III
front of Thorpe manor. 1t was quaint
old house. standing back a little from
the road. and its walls were as perfect
as when first built. but nellowed and
beautified 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
paneIed walls. though some of them had
been covered with paper, which of
course we said mast come off. One of
the bedTooms-whicf9 thought from
the elaborate carving on tine 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.
Seen 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 treasured him by re-
marking that rather liked ghosts, and
! that. so far rs | 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 relnov-
ing the staring plate glass with winch
the late owner had undermined 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
d woman in the village TO come daily
and attend to my simple wants.
On the third evening after my arriva
was smoking my favorite pipe by {
wood fire in the darkroom, which hac
made my bedroom. 1t was nearly l;
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 mp my pouch
began to refill my pipe. Suddenly
stopped short. and with my little hngei
still raInmed into the bowl of the plp'
left my chair and walked to the opposite
side of the room. for / could have sworl
| saw the paueling move ever SO slight!
upward. Nor was | mistaken: for yer.
slowly the whole panel disappeared. an'
in the opening stood the figure OF wo
man. ar
The room was dark. for the wood fir
had begun 10 slnOlder, SO / couId not Sc
what she Was hke-yOung or old. ugl.
or beautiful
was not nervous had profoun'
disbelief in the supernatural-so sim
ply waited to see what the intruder pro
posed to do. She advanced into tn
room and came close to my elbow, the
raised her hand and beckoned Inc to fol
low her. Of course ! went, and she le
me through the aperture and down
steep wooden staircase. 1t was pitc
dark, but struck matches at intervals
Nv companion Went on quickly. neve
looking behind her. but smiled as sh
raised her skirts gingerly from the dust
stairs. and once saw the woman shuo
der AZ a ret scuttled by.
mo ghost this" thought l.
; On we went down the wooden stair
rill at last we came to some stone ones
all green and humid. owing to neglect
{ We continued our course, going dow