The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1900-11-22

IL the Story is true, more tndn 10 Splr-
itual, and accepted Henry's Six Articles
as readily as his sons Thirty-nine. But
Lady Anna was different. Her hus-
band, Piers Durant, was one of Eliza
beth's courtiers, but this fact did not
save his wife from being denounced as
q Catholic, nor did his entreaties save
her life when she was convicted of as
sisting a priest to escape. She was ex-
ecuted in the courtyard of the hall, and
died as bravely as her coreligionists
usually did"
"Is that all?" Ellis asked. The story
had little interest for him.
"All, except the legend. It il said
that her spirit is often seen."
'Oh!" Ellis laughed, mockingly.
"You don't believe that?'
II really don't know. I have never
seen her ladyship myself, but it is an
article of Durant faith that she often
comes to warn her descendants against
some danger or folly"
"Nonsense!"
Every probably"
At length dinner was finished and
the old servitor of the family who had
been waiting on them withdrew.
"Well, Durant, renew my Offer"
Ellis said, and he lifted his wine glass
and held it between him and the light,
as if he had quite as much interest in
its contents as in the reply. There was
q brief pause, which was broken by a
startled exclamation from Durant, and
Ellis turned slightly in his chair. From
one corner of the library woman had
advanced and stood stock still, survey
ing them with a strange air. The ex-
preston of her face, the upturned hair,
the wide, outstanding ruff1e and stiff
brocaded bodice were those that the
pictured Lady Anna wore; and one
white hand was raised as if in aston
ishment or warning.
While one might have counted hun
dred the two men stared at the ap-
partition, and then with a common i'm
pulse they turned their gaze to the pic
ture on the opposite wall. When their
eyes were again directed to the spot
| where the woman had stood she had
gone.
Ellis questioned by and by.
II know no more than you," Durant
| replied, solemnly. and there was indeed
no doubling his words.
"It must have been some one belong
ing to the house." Ellis reasoned.
| Durant shook his head.
''There is no one in the house, so far
es I know, but old johnson and his
wife, and besides she-it disappeared y
''It is very strange"
$50 strange that our bargain is off.
will not sell the hail." Durant said,
and Ellis looked his amazement.
"Not sell the hall!" he echoed, an
grily.
| "No."
"But you cannot believe that"
/ "No matter, I will not SELL" Durant
Interrupted.
"Don't be superstitious, Durant. You
cannot be in earnest. I have taken a
fancy to the place"
81 am sorry, but will not sell"
"Look here, man. Will another five
thousand not tempt you?"
mo, Ellis, am not to be tempted
Please say no more"
But you cannot attach any impor
tance to the-the'-Ellis hesitated-
"to what we fancied we saw?"
81 don't know" Durant answered
truthfully enough. Perhaps we saw
nothing. It may have been fancy il
my case"
| There was an uncomfortable pause
"Will you take hand at cards, Ellis
or go to bed ?" the host asked at length
Ellis yawned ostensibiy.
ITO bed, If you don't mind; and
trust none of your ancestors or ances
tresses will pay me visit"
"There is little danger of that" Du
rant laughed, "but you will find few
modern comforts in your bedroom.
hope, however, Mrs. johnson has seel
to the airing of the sheets. Shall
show you the way?"
Durant led his guest to the room as
signed to him, and early next morn
ing both returned to London.
On the day following Guy Durant re
ceived two letters. One bore the post
mark of the post town nearest Duran
Hall, and the address was in his daugh
ter's handwriting.
'Dear father" it ran, Il hope I di
not startle you very much last might
. One of Aunt Aice's servants has scarle
, fever in rather bad form, and sh
) took advantage of long-standing II
, vitation of Mrs. Kingsley's-I was a
school with Pauline Kingsley, 20
know-to send me to Kingsley Cour
There is a short cuc from it, as pei
haps you know, to the hall. Paulin
5 Kingsley is getting up some privat
theatricals, and she and ! ran over