Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-11-15

nouSe1or youT-JneoDean per1od, ana al
most original. 1t was trife spoilt by
some Philistine individual about thirty
years since; but, with your taste and the
aid of the local architect. everything can
be put right. The pearl of houses goes
by the name of Thorpe Manor, and is, of
course, haunted SO you may reheye the
rnonotony of country life by genuine
ghost hunt. Ever yours,
JOAN RIDawAY.
"P. 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.
left Boston that afternoon, and was
whirled. rapidly through the smoke and
turmoil of helcity into charming Sur
rey. g.
At that time was a fairly good look.
ing vel. l.to-do bachelor of thirty-fve.
Ny ample leisure devoted to anti
quarian researches, literary work and
the collection, of 'scurios." I had no
relatives and few friends, and lived an
almost solitary and perfectly happy life
in my chambers.
Among what some people called my
'' crazes - was an enthusiasm for ancient
AOlSCo anu 4l6A0 0CpuLCA
way, an artist friend of mine who lived
in Surrey. to find me a genuine old
country house "a dreamy, rambling
place where 1 could spend the summer
months. 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 monthsl" he said, as we
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 n prosaic man,
and evidently thought we were q couple
of mild lunatics. so excited did we be-
come when. suddenly turning a corner
at the foot of n steep incline, we stood in
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 mellowed and
beautifed by time.
We walked UP the prim gravel path to
the wide doorway with its fantastic
carving. Here our agent produced q
huge rusty key and unlocked the door,
which swung back easily on it's large
hinges. We entered and went through
the rooms, which had low ceilings and
broad window seats. Most of them had
panelled walls, though some of these
had been covered with paper, which, OF
course, we said must come Off One of
the bedrooms-which 1 thought, from
the elaborate carving on the high man
telshelf and the beautiful oak paneling,
had originally been the state one-was
perfect.
1 felt strangely attracted to this room,
know not why, and as we turned to
leave fingered behind the others for a
parting glance. Then went slowly
down the winding stairway.
"Seen the ghostf" asked John, jest
ingly.
The agent looked uneasy. Ghosts are
tiresome things, apt to initiate very
much against the chances of securing
good tenant. He hastened to disclaim
theuncanny visitant, but reassured him
by remaring that rather liked ghosts,
and that, SO far as I 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 removing the staring plate
glass with which the late owner had
"" " modernized T" the windows of the
lower rooms. aas. = q ii q : 4
2 Six weeks later1 was installed Ia 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 a
woman from the village to come in
daily and attend to my simple wants.
On the third evening after my arrival
I was smoking my favorite pipe by a
wood fire in. the oak room, which had
made my bedroom. 1t was nearly 10
O'Clock, but, being accustomed to late
hours, I did not feel inclined for bed
far from it. decided to have one more
pipe, and, lazily taking up my pouch, 1
began to refill my pipe. Suddenly 1
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 I mistaken; for very
slowly the whole panel disappeared, and
in the opening stood the figure of a
woman.
The room was dark, for the wood fire
had begun to shoulder, SO could not
see what she was ike-young or old,
ugly or beautiful.
~ was not nervous-I had profound
disbelief in the supernatural-so sim
ply waited to see what the intruder
proposed toido. 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
steep, wooden staircase. 1t was pitch
dark, but / struck matches at intervals.
NV companion went on quickly, never
looking behind her, but smiled as she
Rxised her skirts gingerfy from the dusty
stairs, and once Isaw theSwoman shud-
der Is a rat scuttled by.S
Z" No ghost this" thought 1
On we went down tHe wooden stairs
t1l-at last we candesto some stone ones,
all green and humid, owing 70 neglect.
We Continued our scoprse, going down
flight after fight of damp slippery stairs.
al at length. to my relief. my; com
panion paused before heavy daken door,
then opened it and entered. Following
her I-found myself in allow, vanlt Ike
-, IN, :. IN ~, =,