The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-03-21
SELECTED STORY.
Laying a Ghost.

pOuuS people anu were spending Our
summer vacation in the Isle of Man.
Dur requirements for a holiday resi-
Hence were that it should be a pretty
place, a seaside place, and a cheap
place. In the days of which 1 speak,
Ramsay combined all those advantages.
Dur little party consisted of my sister
(nd myself, three young girls who were
IN our charge and two South American
boys, whose parents had placed them
With my mother, in Birkhead, on leav-
|hg Europe to return home. My mother
Fas unable to leave home that summer,
20 / was the eldest of the little holiday
PARTY, and l was not yet twenty years
age. Yet was the keeper of the
urse, the matron, the representative
I authority, order, discipline, in our
tile community. We had very nice
Pdgings in beautiful position, facing
pc SEA. They were more expensive
nan we wished, but the fact that the
ply other ledger was quiet old lady,
no lived there winter and summer,
nd made it, in fact, her home, decided
to take the rooms. We were all so
bung that felt it would not do to be
here noisy excursionists or objection
pie young people might share the
buse. All went pleasantly for the
st few days. The boys spent their
ornings in bathing and their after
bons in boating-they were dear boys
and in the evenings, which insisted
should all spend together, they were
e life of our little party. Our land
hy declared openly that we were the
cest dodgers she had ever had, and
r fellow lnmate-the old lady-visited
in our little parlor. She was tall,
ndsome old lady, very thin, with
arp, aquiline features and large, gilt
ling black eyes.
My dears," she said, 81 came to
you; it is my duty, as I know the
|ys of the place. You, of course,
hnot know them, but hope you all
k your doors at night?"
Here she looked around our circle
d finally fixed her eye on Edward,
o answered with little nervous
gh, Indeed, no, ma'am, l never
my door,"
Very wrong, boy-very wrong in
ID. 1t is the only possible way to
Pp out"
What, ma'am?" asked Edward,
pr waiting for a reasonable time for
old lady to finish her sentence.
The draught, boy, the draught."
EDWARD was now giggling openly, so
bid gently that "a little extra air
rather pleasant these hot nights"
l was relieved to find that the old la
attention had wandered to my sister
ry.
My DEAR" she said abruptly, "you
e beautiful hair"
Do you think so, ma'amp" said
ry modestly.
Think SO; of course l think So"
the old lady, in an angry tone.
ny one might covet such hair"
Her wicked sister has often coveted
said l, laughing.
ur visitor looked at me sharply then
pg abruptly said to Garry: "Be adj
d, my dear, lock your door at
IT," and left the room.
be boys at once exploded in up
ious laughter, while the puzzled
y turned to me.
What can she mean, and why should
ock our doors when she herself is
only stranger in the house? She
ly does not mean that we should
our doors against each other?"
For fear that your wicked sister
Id cut off your hair, eh, Cariy?"
this moment telegram was
ght in which made US forget all
t the old lady. 1t told us to be
y early next morning for drive to
as cousin of mothers, an old |
lyman, of whom we were very
would bring carriage for us i'm
y ately after breakfast. All was
hustle and preparation, the land
taking orders and giving advice as
Q substantial cold lunch which l !
ed nicely packed and ready to 60
US; and very cleverly the landlady
ed for us, and very content
our hungry party the next
when, after the long drive and the
beeing, and thrilling tales of the
con at Peel Castle, and of the
raj dog which haunts the ruins
content were all to sit round my
cloth on the green and partake
good things spread thereon.
ball you dream of the spectral
asked Canon Goodman, laugh
8 we drove home at last through
Wight.
ont talk of it," said Albert, the
Ter of the boys. at is all very
Fhile we are here together in the
hit, but by and by, when Edward
are alone in that horrid little
DOM of ours -
pick your door," said Edward in a
hral voice.
b, / dare say" said Carry, with a
as shiver; but you can't lock
ghost"
got home late and very tired, and
pit once to our rooms. Half an
afterwards, just as I was putting
candle, Garry came in in her
pig gown, with her beautiful hair
per back. Carry really is a pretty
I'D her hair is wonderful. 1t fell
ght soft ripples nearly to her
me-" she said, coaxingly, " do
sleep with you tonight"
is hot night" l exclaimed;
be-"
let me janet Somehow l can
OF nothing but that horrid dog.
not close an eye if l am alone"
burse / LET her staV with me- and