Connecticut western news., 1893-04-13
A FAIR RECLITSE.

for you Jacobean period and almost original. IL WAS trifle spoiled by some Philistine indi- vitiual about thirty years since, but with your taste and the aid Of the local architect every thing can he put right This pearl of houses goes by the name of Thorpe manor. and Is of course hasnted, 50 you may relieve the nonot- ony of country life by genuine ghost hunt. Ever yours, JOHN RIDGwAY.
 r. x. The house k in Surrey, about fonr miles from Winton station. You had better come down at once, hear some one else Is after It.
 At that time was fairly good look ing. we'll to do bachelor of thirty-tive. My ample leisure devoted to antigua rian researches. literary work and the collection of "curios." 1 had no rela- lives and few friends. and 1 lived an almost solitary and perfectly happy life m 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 Tn Surrey. to find me genuine old coun- try house-a dreamy, ram mbling 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 ful house.
 Charming old placei I've had my eye on it for monthsr be 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 a 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. It was quaint old house. standing back little from the road, and it's walls were as perfect as when first built. but rnellowed and beautified by time
 We walked up the prim gravel path to the wide doorway with its fantastic carving Here our agent produced 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 mad 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 parting glance. Then l 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 good tenant. but treasured him by re. marking that rather liked ghosts. and that so far as l could see, the house was exactly what l wanted. Of course there were many details to be settled about the lease, repairs and other matters, and 1 stipulated that 1 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 oakroom. which had made my bedroom. It was nearly l2 o'clock. but being accustomed to late hours did not feel inclined for bed | far from it. 1 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 ranlned 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 mad begun to smolder, so could not see what she was ike-young or old. ugly or beautiful.
 was not nervous-l had profound disbelief in the supernatural-so 1 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 n steep wooden staircase. 1t was pitch dark, but struck matches at intervals My companion went on quickly, never looking behind her. but l smiled as she raised her skirts gingerly from the dusty stairs, and once l saw the woman shud. der as rat scuttled by.
 No ghost this" thought 1.
 On we went down the wooden stairs till at last we came to some stone ones all green and humid. owing to neglect
 We continued our course, going down flight after flight of damp, slippery stairs. till at length, to my relief. my companion paused before heavy oakep door, then opened it and entered. Fol iOWiIS uOT, iOuu0 uiJ oCh III INV
 vaultlike chamber. more like Il cell thar anything else The floor was stone. tho walls were bare. but il was apparently inhabited for there were n few articles
 of furniture-a rickety. spindle legged
 table, couple of high backed. worn eaten chairs and Il battered horsehail
 sofa. In the grate. too, burned smal
 fire and couple of tall, white candles
 in tarnished sconces were on the marrow
 mantelnhelf
 In the din, light afforded " thss'