The suburban citizen., 1901-05-11

NA I capes and adventures
v " more or less thrilling, yet
perfectly authentic, but 1
think for sheer "blood odcurdleness'
there are few to beat a strange and
horrible experience OF a friend OF mine.
As think it may interest others I give
II here as nearly as 1 can remember in
her own words For obvious reasons
the names given to both people and
places are purely fictitious.
It was In the winter OF 1889 that
received an invitation from my old
friend Nrs. Chudleigh TO 90 and make
one OF their annual house-party at
"Rathlin,n their Suffolk home. l cheer
fully accepted, FOR digs" are a dull
place at any tme and if there is any
period when they are duller than an
other l think it is during the "meny
season" Therefore the 18Th OF the
month saw me stepping out Of the
train at tie familiac little station
of Elmers6eld. 1 found that Norah
had cent the carriage to meet me, and
had thoughtfully provisioned it with Il
foot-warm = and some ruSs, of which
was very glad, for the weather was
decidedly sharp" There had been
more than one fall of snow already,
and everybody prophesled white
season.
After n drive OF threc-quarters OF an
hour or so we drew up before the
house, and my friend came out on the
steps to welcome and carry me of to
comfortable cup OF tea in her bou-
dor. When we were snusly ensconced
before the fire. and had duly chatted
about various subjects Of home inter
est Norah Chudleigh said "Oh, Mary
dear l am so sorry, but will you mind
sleeping in the 'summerhouse" The
fact Of the matter IS that Henry has
invited friend Of his and his We to
stay here for ten days or Il fortnight,
and as It is their first visit l have been
obliged to give them your usual room,
NIL the others in the Aouse being al
ready occupied"
Before 1 go farther l MIST explain
that the "summer-house" Norah re-
ferred to was not what 10 usually un-
derstood by the term. 1t had been
built by the last owners OF "Rathlin'
(for what use l do not know at a dis
tance OF some $50 or 200 yards from
the house, and consisted OF two good
sized rooms. One OF these ad large
French windows round three sides OF
It, and the Chudleighs mad arranged
It as IN elaborate kind OF summer
house, with bookcases, easy chairs,
wrltingtable and everything that
could add to It's comfort. The other
they had fitted up as a bedroom for
use when the house was full.
/ was not at that tim n nervous
girl. and tine idea Of sleepir. quite
alone away from the house aroused
not the slightest uneasiness in my
mind, so / :eadily acqulesced in the
proposal.
We passed a very pleasant evening
Most Of the other guests were known
to me, and Norah and her husband
made an excellent host and hostess
When we were in the draWing-room
after dinner the conversation turned
upon euperstitions, and from those
very naturally, drifted TO ghosts, and
we amused ourselves by recalling al
the stories Of tine kind we could re-
member till the hour arrived for bed.
VERY silly subject for us TO have hi
on, Miss Bentley" said Colonel Chud
leigh, as he bade me goodnight, when
you are going TO sleep in such solitary
seclusion."
"Oh, Mary is not frightened; yor
don't believe in any Of those things
do your
mot I, Norah," I answered, laugh
ing; 1T would take a very special kinl
OF ghost to frighten me-"
early hours were the custom al
"Rathlin' and it was only little az
ter II O'Clock when ] lett the house
| preceded by maid carrying lantern
! My room looked very bright and cosy
! A good, big fire was burning brightly
and a shaded lamp stood on one Of th'
tables.
! The girl inquired whether there wa
! any way in which she could assist M
further, and receiving reply in tn
negative, was about to leave the room
when she suddenly turned back, say
ing, "There is something wrong Wit
this lock, miss, and the door won't fas
| ten on the inside. But II you like
will lock It on the outside and take tn
! key away with me, and when 1 com
| with your hot water in the morning
| can unfasten It."
| / did not much like the idea Of bein
| locked in, but as the girl said sh
/ r,,o,Id no s,trn To come enrly an