Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-05-03

uShj was, do SOAu0 dutlQudrldnS sup
pose, used for the keeping of fish
caught in the river for his reverence's
use?"
lapsed into silence for several min
utes; before spoke again one of the
maids came to say that tea was wait
ing for us in the drawing room.
After some preliminary conversa-
ton, I expressed to Mrs. Lancaster
my admiration for her house.
Eyes, an interesting old place, isn't
it?" she said. "Still-"
mot quite perfection" fastened
to remark. We'll. suppose it may
be a trifie lonely toward evening and
in the dead of the night, for instance?'
1T is worse than that" The lady
glanced at her husband, who had just
strolled across to the inner drawing
room, and was ferreting among a col
lection of valuable old china for some
specimen he would expect me to ad-
mlre. "Geoffrey does not like me to
say so, Mr.. Marshall, but my firm con-
viction is that and here she slight
ly paused, then in lower tone added
Fit is haunted"
1 raised my eyebrows and shook my
head.
Il think you are mistaken" | an
swered in an undertone which matched
her own. Il may as we'll confess that,
up to this period of my existence. I
have never seen a ghost. much as
should enjoy doing so. Therefore, as
seeing is believing l need scarcely
add that don't believe in them. What
people usually attribute to those rest
less spirits may generally be set down
to rats, old boards that crack and
creak, and so forth"
Mrs. Lancaster did not look con-
WINGED, but as her husband came to-
ward us at that mOmen1, holding out a
plate which he considered as the
choicest among his treasures. / turn
ed to him with the assurance that
it was evidently a most valuable ar
ticle, but, frankly speaking, old china
was a matter concerning which l was
hopelessly ignorant.
1t was growing late, and my host
and | were tete-a-tete in the smoke
room, when the ghost was again re-
mentioned.
81 particularly want the opinion of
a practical, common sense man like
you, Marshall" he said, "as to wheth-
er there is any sound in the passages
or upon the staircases of this house,
which cannot be accounted for. If
so, well. what it can be-"
Il said a few words about the
charm of the house to Mrs. Lancas-
ter" | admitted, "and she asserted her
| belief that it is haunted. But our
| conversation was interrupted just
then, so she gave me no details"
"a very good thing, too" said Geof-
| frey impatiently. when once a WON
an gets an idea into her head, it is
| hopeless. Every discussion only roots
it more firmly. The best plan is to ig.
more the subject, and trust to her for
| getting it in the discovery of some
thing newer"
rose and began to walk up and
down the room.
THE only thing for me to do"
exclaimed at last, sis to listen. AS
| far as | know myself, mere fancy will
not run away with me. I will not avail
myself of that comfortable bedroom
till day is dawning. Ghosts never
walk about in the morning, do they?"
My tone might have been flippant
Any way, my friend ignored that ques
ton, and merely proposed to share my
vigil. But this l would not hear of
protesting that no ghost who had a
partical of self-respect left within his
shadowy form would stand espionage
Nov, would you, if you were ghost
lancaster" I said. II am sure not
The only hope is that he or she-may
| deign to walk about a little when al
is still and silent. Two of us would
be passing the time in conversation
or playing chess. It's not to be
| thought OF"
| had my way, and was fortified by
a strong cup of coffee to help me keep
awake by Mr. Lancaster's private or
| der to the housekeeper. / believe he
said that I was going to pass some
| hours in important study, nor could
this-from his point of view-be
| deemed untrue.
Well, heard nothing, saw nothing
and having kept my solitary watch
until the clock struck four, went up
stairs feeling chilly, sleepy, disguised
with things in general, and confirmed
in my unbelief
After some hours repose and cap,
| ital breakfast at ha1f-past nine, how.
ever felt better-even somewhat
eager to solve the question of the step
on the stairs.
With my friends permission I made
another survey of the commodious
old house, examining in particular a
secret chamber which could only be
approached by means of a sliding
panel in the wall and a concealed
| spring.
Any author at work upon sensa-
| c4or.u IF and vii