Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-05-14
THE BROWN WOMAN.

THE BROWN WOMAN.
At distance of about 80 miles from
Harper's Ferry is situated one of the oldest
and quaintest towns in Virginia Not
only do its historic associations attract the
traveller, but the picturesque charm Of it's
old time homes induces him to linger there,
hunting curios or plucking thyme and
myrtle from the garden Of some ancient
dame. OF all these homes, none so invites
the curious passerby as that Of Miss Polly
Waller. A stone WALL ivy grown and dis
colored, incloses the spacious garden in the
center Of which stands this ladys house.
What delights are revealed to those who
can roam at will in this garden on sunny
day! The inner side Of the stone wall is a
background against which one sees row
of twisted white lilac bushes, the blossoms
Of which in spring fill the whole neighbor-
hood with their delicious sweetness. A
carefully trimmed and regularly grown
border of box incloses the flower beds and
outlines the well trodden gravel walks,
along the sides Of which grow rosemary
and calacanthus, yellow jasmine and syrin-
go, citron aloes and damask roses.
One evening in the month of September
several ladies were gathered about card
table in Miss Polly's front parlor. The
evening being cool and windy, the huge
fireplace was piled high with blazing logs.
So enticing did the fire prove that very
soon all the ladies threw down their cards
and grouped themselves close to the hearth.
The high wind outside caused an over
hanging maple Dough to lash itself against
the window pane. This excited the nerves
of some of the ladies, and this with the
social and expansive element which a fire
has always the power to awaken, turned
the conversation upon the weird and fan
tastic.
II can tell you genuine ghost story,
and, what's more, every word Of it Is true, !"
said Miss Blunt, lady who, though still
unwedded, could own to years and expert
ence sufficient to expect that her word be
accepted.
"Tell us! Tell us!'' clamored half a
dozen female voices
''Well," began Miss Blunt, who was q
frail, nervous little woman, with wide
open, startled eyes, which one could easily
believe had acquired their present express
sion from frequent observations Of ghosts.
Before continuing she drew nearer to the
fire. clasped one knee about with both
hands and continues: "Some years ago I
went to New York on visit to a relative.
This cousin was descended ON the paternal
side from an old Dutch family which in
days long gone by had built great house
In Bleecker street and there for three gen.
erations had lived in the enjoyment Of
wealth and high social position. At last,
however, evil days came the house in
Blocker street passed into strange hands,
and the old family became scattered.
This cousin had somewhat regained
the wealth and position which his family
had lost. BY strange freak he rebought
the old house in Bleeoker street, preferring
1t to an up town residence. After he had
refltted 1t, 1t made charming home 1t
was after he and his family had been liv-
ing there for some months that I went to
visit them. When looking out of the win
dows, it seemed queer to be in this part Of
New York, but when gave myself up to
the comfort and beauty of the rooms 1t
was as delightful as any house ever saw
at least thought So though tho family
itself did not seem quite certain concern
ing 1t.
''My cousin, could see, was charmed
with the success Of his scheme and had the
satisfied air Of man who has played
bold game and won. The wife and daugh-
tiers did not appear to partake Of his con-
tent. They were restless at times, and
was inclined to think them wanting in
gratitude.
Zone day Twas sitting in my room, un-
tying some embroidery silks, when upon
looking up saw standing before me lit
tie old woman, all dressed in brown, with
q white handkerchief crossed upon her
breast Her face was that of foreigner,
and her eyes had that pathetic, appealing
look In them which goes straight to the
heart. Finding this strange woman in my
room unannounced, I felt some surprise
and questioned her sharply. She gave me
no reply, but stood there, looking me
through, as 1t were, with those pathetic
eyes. Thinking her some foreign sewing
woman who was possibly embarrassed at
her inability to use the English language
told her to accompany me down stairs,
where some one no doubt could be found
who would understand what she wished.
1--WE started together out of the room. I
preceded, but kept her in sight Upon the
stairs she seemed to disappear suddenly. I
called to her. ran back to see If had
been mistaken and II she fingered still in
my room. did not see her anywhere.
Then concluded that she had disappeared
into one of the other rooms, and that had
better descend and send some one to seek
her. ! went down into the library, where
my cousins wife and daughters were o.
cupicd with their embroideries. told
them about the little woman up stairs and
requested that they look after her. When
had finished my story, my cousins wife
shivered a little and remarked In a strained
voice, That is strange. She rose from her
chair. You said she had very pathetic
eyesi' she asked Yes, the most pathetic
ever saw replied. The girls looked
down at their work, but said nothing.
Their mother left the room, but soap re-
turned, saying, u was nothing After
this we settled down to cur work, and the
morning, though perceptibly chilled by my
little episode, passed quickly by"
At this point In the narration all the la
dies drew closer together, and forming
circle about the narrator urged her to pro,
coed.
Some nights after this" continued
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