The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-06-28


i have read up all the books and
records l could obtain, and can dis
cover no mention of crime in connec-
ton with this property. In early
times-though Of course the town was
Catholic-there seem to have been no
monasteries or converts here. But
this was the Chantry priests house.
and that old tank which I showed you
(by one of the doors leading to the gar
DEM was, as some antiquarians 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 I spoke again one Of the
maids came to say that tea was wait
ing for us in the drawing room.
After some preliminary conversa-
tion, | expressed to Mrs. Lancaster
my admiration for her house
Yes. an interesting old place, isn't
it?" she said. "Still-"
mot quite perfection" I fastened
to remark. well. suppose it may
be trifle lonely toward evening and
in the dead of the night. for instance?"
vt 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
mire. "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 a lower tone added
1T is haunted"
raised my eyebrows and shook my
head.
81 think you are mistaken" I an
swered in an undertone which matched
her own. Il may as well confess that,
up to this period Of my existence. l
have never seen ghost. much as I
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.
vinced, but as her husband came to-
ward us at that momen-. holding out
plate which he considered as the
choicest among his treasures. l turn
ed to him with the assurance that
it was evidently most valuable ar
ticle, but, frankly speaking, old china
was matter concerning which I was
ignorant.
It was growing late, and my host
and | were tete-A-tete in the smoke
room, when the ghost was again re-
II particularly want the opinion Of
q 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. II
so. we'll. what It can be-"
II said few words about the
charm Of the house to Mrs. Lancas-
ter" admitted, "and she asserted her
belief that it is haunted. But our
was interrupted just
then, so she gave me no details"
"A very good thing. too" said Geof-
'rey impatiently. when once wom-
an gets an idea into her head, it is
hopeless. Every discussion only roots
t more firmly. The best plan is to ig-
nore the subject, and trust to her for
getting it in the discovery of some
hing newer"
I rose and began to walk ur and
lown the room.
"The only thing for me to do"
exclaimed at last, "is to listen. As
'ar as l know myself, mere fancy will
lot run away with me. will not avail
myself OF that comfortable bedroom
Ill day is dawning. Ghosts never
walk about in the morning, do they?"
My tone might have been fippant.
Any way. my friend ignored that ques-
ion. and merely proposed to share my
,igil. But this I would not hear OF.
protesting that no ghost who had a
,artical of self.respect left within his
'hadowy form veuld stand espionage.
Nov. would you. II you were ghost |
said. II am sure not.
rhe only hope is that he or she-may |
leigh to walk about little when all |
8 still and silent. Two Of us would |
,e passing the time in conversation
n playing chess. It's not to be
hought Of"
I had my way, and was fortified by |
! strong cup Of coffee to help me keep |
wake by Mr. Lancaster's private or
Ter to the housekeeper. believe he |
aid that I was going to pass some
lours in important study, nor could |
his-from his point Of view-be |
leemed untrue.
Well, l heard nothing. saw nothing; |
md having kept my solitary watch
Until the clock struck four. went up
tairs feeling chilly. sleepy, disgusted
With things in general, and confirmed
n my unbelief.
After some hours repose and a cap
tai breakfast at half-past nine. how
,ver, felt better-even somewhat
,ager to solve the question Of the step
N the stairs.
With my friends permission I made