The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-06
Copyright 1908,
The Bobbs- Merrill Co.


and read again it's totally uninteresting
and unsuggestive title, and by another
reference to its dim and faded leaves.
found that my memory had not played
me false and that it contained nothing
but stupid and wholly irrelevant Stats
tics, my confidence in it as a possible
aid in the work I had in hand departed
just as 1t had on the previous occasion. |
I was about to put it back on the shelf,
when bethought me of running my hand
in behind the two books between which it
had stood All! that was it! Another
book lay fiat against the wall at the back
Of the shelf; and. when, by the removal
of those in front I was enabled to draw
this book out, I soon saw why it had
been relegated to such remote place of
concealment on the shelves of the Moore
library.
1t was collection of obscure memoirs
written by an English woman, but an
English woman who had been in America
during the early part Of the century, and
who had been brought more or less into
contact with the mysteries connected
with the Moore house in Washington.
Several passages were marked, one par
ttcularly, by a heavy pencil-line running
the length of the margin. AS the name
of Moore was freely scattered thru these
passages as well as thru two or three
faded newspaper clippings which I dis
covered pasted on the inside cover, I lost
no time in setting about their perusal.
The following extracts are from the
book itself, taken in the order in which
found them marked:
1T was about this time that spent
week in the Moore house; that grand and
historic structure concerning which and
its occupants so many curious ru-
mors are afoat. knew nothing
then Of it's discreditable fame;
but from the first moment of
my entrance into it's ample and we'll light
ed halls I experienced sensation which
I will not call dread, but which certainly
was far from being the impulse of pure
delight which the graciousness of my
hostess and the imposing character of the
place itself We're calculated to produce.
This emotion was but transitory vanish
Ing, as was natural, in the excitement Of
my welcome and the extraordinary inter-
est took in Callista Moore who in those
days was most fascinating little body
Small to the point Of appearing diminu-
tive, and lacking all assertion in manner
and bearing, she was nevertheless such
lady that she easily dominated all who ap-
preached her. and produced, quite against
her will am sure. an impression of aloof-
ness seasoned with kindness, which made
her a most surprising and entertaining
study to the analytic observer Her posi-
| t1on os nominal mistress of an establish
| ment already accounted one. of the finest
In Washington,-the real owner, Reuben
| Moore. preferring to live abroad with his
| French wife,-gave to her least action an
importance which her shy, If not appealing
looks, and a certain strained expression
most difficult to characterize, vainly at
tempted to contradict. I could not under
stand her, and soon gave up the attempt;
but my admiration held firm and by the
time the evening was half over was her
obedient slave. think from what know
hou
to be mine. .as=s- =. - =
| Il was put to sleep in a great chamber
which afterward heard called The Col
oneIs Own it was very grand and had a
great bed in 1t almost royal in size and
splendor. I believe that I shrank quite
unaccountably from this imposing piece
of furniture when I first looked at it; II
seemed so big and so out of proportion tc
my slim little body. But admonished. b,
the look which I surprised on Mistress
Callista's high-bred face, I quickly re.
called an expression so unsuited to m,
position as guest and, with a gush o.
we'll simulated rapture, began to expatiate
upon the interesting characteristics of the
room, and express myself as delighted a,
the prospect of sleeping there.
instantly the nervous look left her, and
with the quiet remark, 1T was my faith
err room,; She set down the candles will
which both her hands were burdened, ant
gave me kiss so warm and surcharget
with feeling that it sufficed to keep m,
! happy and comfortable for a half-hour o
:, more after she passed out
Il had thought myself a very sleepy girl
put When' after somewhat lengthene,
brood1ng over the dying enbers in tn
+ open fireplace. I lay down benin,
the curtains of the huge bed, found my
, self as far from sleep as had ever bee
: In my whole life.
And / did not recover from this con
+ dltion for the entire night. For hours
. tossed from one side Of the bed to tn
, other In my efforts to avoid the ,persisten
. eyes OF scarcely to-be- perceived draw
. ing racing me on the opposite wall It ha
y no merit as a picture, this drawing. bu
: seen as it was under the rays of gibbou
: moon looking in thru the half-open shut
: ter. 1t exercised upon me spell such a
>, can not describe and hope never again t
experience. Finally rose and pulled tn
, curtains violently together across the foo
:, of the bed. This shut out the picture
= put found 1T worse to imagine it Their
with its haunting eyes peering at me thr
the intervening folds of heavy damas
r than to confront it openly; so pushed tn
= curtains back again, only to rise a half
- hour later and twitch them desperately to
. gether once more.
Il fidgeted and worried 50 that nigh
That must have looked quite pale wle
= my attentive hostess met me at the hea
~ VIC SIoA Tie next, morning. For he
- hand shook quite perceptibly as sh
> grasped mine, and her voice was pitche
. IN no natural key as she inquired how
y had slept. replied, as truth, if not cour
= tesy, demanded Not as well as usual
. Whereupon her eyes fell and she ren1arke
quite hurriedly, I am so sorry; you sha
have another room tonight adding. /
= what appeared to be an unconscious whis
y per: There Is no use all feel it; even til
young and the gay then aloud and wit
irrepressble anxiety: You didn't Sc
: anything, dear?'
: No. protested in suddenly awakene
:, dismay; only the strange eyes OF ths
. queer drawing peering at me thru the cu1
ta1ns OF my bed. Is it's it a haunte
: room?' :
, Her look was a shocked one, her prc
= test quite vehement oh, no. No or
= has ever witnessed anything like a gho.
- there, but every one finds it impossib
y to sleep in that bed or even in the room
~ do not know why unless 1t is that m
= 1atner spent SO many weary years of ince:
u SAINT wakefulness inside its wallis
n And did he die in that bed?' asJxe
l. She gave startled SILVER, and DIRE
N me hurriedly downstairs. AS we pause
e at the foot. she pressed my hand and viii,
n pered: !" - -
If Yes; at night; with the full of IL
a moon upon him.
Is answered her look with one she prol
y. ably understood as little as did hers
n had heard Of this father of hers. He ha
= been terrible old man. and had left
terrible memory behind him.
The next day my room was changed a,
cording to her promise, but in the ligl
or the charges have since heard uttore