The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-18

room and down the long corridor. The
great house was very STILL with kind
of echoing stiffness, and It struck the
girl that II any one should see her now,
she might easily be taken for the White
Lady OF Burlcigh Park. who was sup
posed to wander after midnight from
Ecorr1dor to corridor. looking for a. lover
who had mysteriously disappeared They
4 had been talking about the White Lady
at dinner. Helen varney knew all about
her. for she has visited her in old
days. before the place had been sold
to their present hosts. the Collingwoods.
a rich American family, who had made
themselves popular in English society;
and 1t was rather odd that the new
owners should have heard the story for
the first time from Helens lips.
1t was a grim tale. Two hundred
years ago certain Lady Burleigh had
loved her husbands friend. The hus-
band had learned the truth by acct
dent, while the other man was staying
In the house. That night the false friend
had disappeared. and had never been
seen or heard OF again. The woman
had accused her husband OF murder:
and going mad in her despair. wander
ed about the house, searching, searching
always, until her death not long after.
Then. according to the legend, her wan.
behring's were continued, and any night
after twelve She might be met on her
dreary quest, her long yellow hair bill
lowing over her shoulders her white
gown trailing, n candle in her hand
Mrs Coliingwood had pretended alarm
at the alleged existence OF her unlimited
guest, whereupon Helen had defended the
White Lady by saying that. with all
her faults. she did some good in the
world. The legend had It that. II a
lover in difficulties could but meet the
wandering guest and keep her Ions
enough to hear the story Of her troubles.
she would give help which would sooner
or later lead him to happiness.
81 say him. Helen had added laugh
ing. .'because no She would be brave
enough to speak TO the poor lady, much
less to stop and wait for her answer
Beatrix thought OF this remark now.
She needed advice u ever any girl did.
but Helen was right; she would certainly
not dare to ask 1t of the White Lady.
Helen was usually right, while as for adj
vice, hers was wise enough-Wlser than
the wisest guest could give.
The smoking room was in the bachelors
wing where. according to Helen. the
ghost was particularly addicted to APP
Fearing, but Beatrix was not afraid
i She and her cousin had arrived only that
afternoon, in time for tea, but already
she had been taken over the beautiful.
rambling old house by her hostess, and
she had not forgotten which way to go.
She found the right door. and opened
1t timidly, lest after all some one SHOULD
be sitting up-at this unearthly hour: but
the room was dark save for the pale IL
Illumination Of the moonlight that poured
In through two large windows. of which
the curtains had not been cfaSHn. a
pleasant fragrance Of good tobacco still
hung in the air, Beatrix could see a
table on which stood several decanters.
syphons and tumblers. 1t would not be
necessary to switch on the electric light.
A small silver label was suspended BY
a chain round the neck Of each decanter,
and she could examine these by the light
Of her CANDLE Suddenly. however, as she
moved towards this table. tho candle held