Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-11-03
A FAIR RECLUSE.

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. 80 you may relieve the monot-
ony Of country life by a genuine ghost hunt.
Ever yours, john RIDGwAY.
p. s.-The house is In Surrey. about four
miles from Winton station. You had better
come down Wonoe, as hear some one else is
after Il. -
At that time ! was fairly good look
ing, well to do bachelor of thirty-five.
Ny ample leisure devoted to antigua
rfan 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 place! I've had my
eye on it for months!" he said as he
walked oyer the common. -"~e
Then be 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 couple
Of mild lunatics. SO excited did we be-
come when suddenly turning corner at
the foot of steep incline we stood in
front of Thorpe manor. ltwas quaint
old house, standing back little from
the road, and its walls were as perfect
as when first built, but mellowed and
beautitied 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 q
parting glance. Then slowly went
down the winding stairway.
"Seen the ghostg' asked John Jest
ingIy.
4 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 tc
make some alterations. such as remov
ing the staring plate glass with which
the late owner had ''modernized" thu
windows of the lower rooms.
Six weeks later was installed in my
new residence. The alterations were
not nearly completed, but declining tn,
Ridsways' pressing invitation to tax,
up my quarters with them. l occupied
two rooms in the old house and engaged
a 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 | hat
made my bedroom. 1t was nearly l:
o'clock, but being accustomed to Lat
hours | did not feel inclined, for bed
far from it. decided to have one NOR,
pipe. and hastily taking up my pouch
began to refill my pipe. Suddenly
! stopped short. and with my little fnge
still rammed into the bowl of the pip
left my chair and walked to the opposit
side of the room. for could have sworl
saw the paneling move ever SO slight,
upward. Nor was | mistaken; for yer,
slowly the whole panel disappeared, AM
in the opening stood the figure of VIC
/ man.
The room was dark, for the wood fir
had begun to smolder, SO could not SO
what she was hke-young or old, ugl
or beautiful.
Iwas not ncrvous-1 had profoun,
disbelief in tho supernatural-so sim
ply waited to see what the intruder pre-
posed to do. She advanced into th
room and came close to my elbow, the
, raised her hand and beckoned me to fol
low her. OF course went. and she le
me through the aperture and down
: steep wooden staircase. 1t was pitc
n dark, but struck matches at intervals
= My companion went on quickly, neve
0 looking behind her. but smiled as sh
y raised. her skirts gingerly from the dust
. stairs, and once saw the woman shud
I der as rat scuttled by.
{ ..No ghost this thought L.
!. On we went down the wooden stair
= till at last we came to some stone ones
q all green and humid, owing to neglect
We continued our course. going dow
n flight after fight Of damp, slipper
a stairs. till at length, to my relief, m
g companion paused before heavy oake
door. then opened it and entered. Fo
lowing her, found myself in loy
q vaultlike chamber, more like cell tina
+ anything else. The floor was stone, tt
d walls were bare. but it was apparentl
I inhabited. for there were a few articl,
\ of furniture--a rickety. spindle legge
ii table,, d couple Of high backed, wori
i aaAan chaira and a hattared horseha