Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1894-06-29
A FAIR RECLUSE.

| Ever yours, Jo9N RInowAv
| J.. S.-The house Is in Surrey, about fou,
miles from Winton station. You had bette
come down at once, as hear some one elss i,
after IL.
AT that time was fairly good look
ing. well to do bachelor of thirty-five
My ample leisure devoted to ANTIGUA.
ran 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 chap! he quite beamed with JOY at
the prospect of showing me his wonder
full house.
Charming old place! I've had nv
eye on it for months!" he 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 a 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
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 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.
l know not why, and as we turned to
leave fingered behind the others for a
parting glance. Then | slowly went
down the winding stairway.
seen the ghost?" asked John lest
ingly.
The agent looked uneasy. Ghosts are
tiresome things, apt to initiate very
much against the chances of securing a
good tenant, but treasured 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 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 nv
new residence. The alterations were
not nearly completed, but declining the
pressing invitation to take
up my quarters with them, | occupied
two rooms in the old house and engaged
q woman in the village to come daily
and attend to my simple wants.
On the third evening after my arrival
was smoking my fayorite pipe by a
wood fire in the darkroom, which had
made my bedroom. 1t was nearly 10
o'clock, but being accustomed to late
hours did not feel inclined for bed
far from it. decided to have one more
pipe. and hastily taking up my pouch |
began to refill my pipe. Suddenly |
stopped short. and with my little finger
still rammed into the bowl of the pipe
eft my chair and walked to the opposite
'ide 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
n the opening stood the figure of a wo-
nan.
The room was dark, for the wood fire |
had begun to smolder, so could not see
what she was like-young or old, ugly |
Or beautiful.
was not nervous-l had a profound
disbelief in the supernatural-so | sim |
ply waited to see what the intruder pro-
,osed to do. She advanced into the |
DOM and came close to my elbow, then |
'aised her hand and beckoned me to fol- |
ow her. OF course went, and she led |
ne through the aperture and down a
teep wooden staircase. 1t was pitch |
lark, but struck matches at intervals.
Ny companion went on quickly, never
ooking behind her, but smiled as she
aised her skirts gingerly from the dusty
tairs, and once saw the woman shud-
Ter as rat scuttled by.
mo ghost this" thought l.
On we went down the wooden stairs
i'll at last we came to some stone ones,
IL green and humid, owing to neglect.
We continued our course, going down
light after fight of darhp. slippery
tairs. till at length, to my relief, my
paused before heavy oaken
DOR, then opened IT and entered. Fog
wing her, found myself in a low,
aultlike chamber, more like cell than
nything else. The floor was stone, the
ralls were bare, but it was apparently
lhabited, for there were few articles
furniture-a rickety. spindle legged
lble, couple OF high backed. worm
atsn chairs and battered horsehair
3fa. In the CRATE. TO. burned : small Z