The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-12-19
A FAIR RECLUSE.

DEAR FRANK-I have found the very houee
for you-Jacobean period and almost original.
1t was trifie spoiled by some Philistine indi-
vidual about thirty years since, but with your
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. SO you may relieve the monot-
ony of country life by 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 at once, as hear some one else Is
after it.
At that time was fairly good look
ing. we'll to do bachelor of thirty-fve.
My ample leisure devoted to antigua
rian 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 a 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 my
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 al
the foot of a steep incline we stood il
front Of Thorpe manor. 1t was quaint
old house, standing back little from
the road, and its walls were as perfect
as when first built, but mellowed and
beautified 10y time.
We walked up the prim gravel path
to the wide doorway with its fantastic
carving. Here our agent produced q
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 haG
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-wa,
perfect.
felt strangely attracted to this room
| know not why, and as we turned tc
leave fingered behind the others for g
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 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 tc
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
a 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 darkroom, which had
made my bedroom. 1t was nearly IL
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
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 a wo-
| man.
The room was dark. for the wood fire
had begun to smolder, so could not see
what she was ike-young or old. ugly
or beautiful.
was not nervous-I had a profound
disbelief in the supernatural-so | 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 a
steep wooden staircase. It was pitch
dark, but struck matches at intervals.
My companion went on quickly. never
looking behind her, but smiled as she
raised her skirts gingerly from the dusty
stairs, and once saw the woman shud-
der as rat scuttled by.
"No ghost this" thought l.
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
fight after flight of damp. slippery
stairs. till at length, to my relief, my
companion paused before heavy oaken
door. then opened it and entered. Foi-
lowing her, found myself in a low,