Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-07-13
THE HAUNTED
CHAMBER.
By Emma Carbon Jones.

there" -
We all leaned forward, and followed
with eager eyes Miss Tresham's
pointing finger.
There it was, dimiy defined beyond
the black frs, in the weird old county
Of Cornwall.
Miss freshman shook her pretty
head. with its abundant bronze, tresses
In melancholy way.
1.-THE most uncanny old place,
girls" she said. "a second 'Meated
Grange, for all the world. l always
dread our annual visit. though GER
tainly love godpapa very dearly; but
1t is such weird old place. And.
girls, there is haunted chamber,
tool" ,, NJ.
"a haunted chamber, Beatrix?" we
all cried, in a breath.
IA veritable haunted chamber-the
crimson chamber they call it. and 1t
Is the grandest room in the house;
yet I've never seen it but once in
my whole life. can't bear to go near
1t. Il remember 1fmly how vast, and
grand, and dark 1t looked, all aglow
with crimson and gold. And oh! girls,
such an awful legend connected with
1t. Mrs. Sinnot, the housekeeper, told
1t to me herself"
"Trixis, dear tell us!"
Il can't tell 1t, as Mrs. Sinnott did,
but I'll do my best: Centuries ago, in
the time OF the very first Chesholms
and they came down from the Nor
man chiefs, you know, ever so long
ago-these was brave knight, Sir
Godfrey Chesholm, think they called
him. He was great soldier, and
the bravest, handsomest man in all
England. He woed and won, SO the
story runs, a lovely Scandinavian girl,
with eyes like stars and tresses Of
golden hair that reached to her knees.
He married her, and brought her home
o Chesholm Manor, and the crimson
room was their bridal chamber.
well, week after they came
lone to the manor Sir Godfrey was
called away. He parted from his
lovely bride with great reluctance,
and many tender caresses. for he was
excessively fond Of her.
Owing to some circumstances,
III do not remember, he returned
opanst2ss1ai.~-had anticinared,
I'D reaching the manor one stormy
Midnight he let himself in with his
light key, and hurried to the cham
Ter Of his bride, thinking to find her
n bed and asleep.
But 10! when he reached the Grim
On room he found it in glitter of
ak lights, and on opening the door
Q saw his young wife all arrayed in
er best robes, with diamonds In her
Golden hair and on her white iuroat;
and feast was spread out, wines and
fruits and other dainties. And who
do you suppose this fair, false crea.
ture had to keep her company? An
old lover, who had been Sir Godfrey S
rival.
well, he killed her then and there,
and his rival, too. and concealed their
bodies in the secret passage, into
which they say the crimson chamber
leads. That was centuries ago. but
to this day they come back at mid.
night and tap against the oaken pan.
els, hoping that some one will come
and Hberate them. Mrs. Sinnott AYERS
that she has heard this ghostly tap
ping again and again. She would not
sleep night in this haunted room
for worlds. No one ever does except
Sir John, and he scouts the whole
story"
"Oh, how awful" we all cried, "and
how delightful"
We drove up the fir-shadowed drive
and reached the grim, gray front OF
the old manor just as the darkness
fell. Sir John was on the great stone
terrace to welcome us.
1--WE brought lot of young school
friends to share my visit, this time
godpapa," said Beatrix, when the
greetings we've well over.
That's right, Trixie; the more the
merrier.. You didn't know we had a
ball on the tapis, did you? Nor that
young Major Farleigh was at home
on furlough either-hey, Trix?"
Beatrix blushed divinely. Major
Farleigh was her betrothed lover. The
old baronet pinched her glowing
cheek.
Il planned it all to surprise you,'
he said. But come in, young ladies'
we've no time to lose. You must cal
your dinner in hurry, and then dress
for the ball"
Dinner over, we lit our candles and
hurried up to dress. axl1l
This way, please, mademoiselles,'
called Sir John, and we followed him
into his quaint old sitting room.
See there, Trixie," he said, point
ing toward the sofa; there's ball
dress fresh from Paris. Would yor
like to have them-I mean dress, dia
monds and all?"
Oh, godpapa-" cried Beatrix, with
clasped hands.
The dress was of silken tissue oil
the loveliest pink, trimmed with price
less lace, and adorned with tufts Of
moss rosebuds, and the diamonds were
such blinking, cleaning stars-tiara
necklace, armlets and girdle, like a
belt of living light.
They're yours, Trixie," continued
Sir John. Major Farlcigh is likely
to admire you in that rig-hey, TrIx:
Well, they're yours, and, moreover
when you marry the major, l mean
that you shall come and live with me
I'm an old man now, and bit lonely
and l think l shall make the major
my heir"
ooh, Sir John, dear godpapal" cried
Beatrix, with swimming eyes.
Stop, Trixie," he interrupted.
wait till you hear my conditions
don't thank me yet-I've made up my
mind to do all this, and to give you
this trumpery here, provided you are
willing to do one thing"
I'LL do anything you wish, you
good, dear godpapa." answered Trixie