New Britain herald., 1924-05-01

ghost, aren't we, Aunt Florence: haven't seen it myself, but good many of our ancestors have, and each visitation is chronicled mosi carefully in an old book. will show it to you tomorrow. You are not afraid of ghosts?" Mary laughed.
 'I don't believe in them, Of course. Do you?"
 He hesitated.
 I'm not sure--but I rather be- lieve I do."
 "David." said Miss Narney repror- ingly.
 1 He looked across at her.
 Well, believe I do; in our par tieular ghost, at any rate. They sa, she is a very charming person."
 "A woman, then?" said Mary.
 "Yes, a lady in gray. AS l say I've never seen her, but she is sup. posed to appear at stated times, and walk the corridors upstairs. dare- say you've noticed that most of them are oak-paneled:
 Yes"
 Well, there is supposed to be a secret door in one panel leading to an old undiscovered passage-that's the story, anyway. Most old houses have some such story; I wonder Nige, didn't tell you. He and I used to spend days when we were youngsters, trying 10 find out where it was. should think there's hardly an inch of paneling we haven't tapped and tried to coax into opening. but we never found anything, and I daresay it's only a story"
 Mary will be dreaming if you tell her any more," Miss Narney ob- jected.
 David looked at the girl.
 Twill you? I'm sorry: didn't think you'd be so impressionable."
 I'm not. think it's awfully in- teresting. When did she last appear this gray lady?"
 David hesitated. He knit his brows. ..s
 "I can't quite remember, hut its some years ago-long before my time. The story runs that she is only seen when some disaster or dis grace is threatening the family. She's quite kindly soul. evidently" he added, laughing. And means quite we'll"
 They all laughed and the converse ton was changed.
 CHAPTER xNIII.
 The Family skeleton
 David went 10 his room 10 write letters after dinner, and Mary and Miss Farney sat together in the drawing room.
 Doesn't Mir. Bretherton ever sit with us--with you, 1 mean?" Mary asked involuntarily.
 Miss varney looked up from her crocheet.
 "oh, yes; sometimes, my dear! But he's not at all strong, you know; in fact, at one time we never thought he would live 10 grow up. He's much better now, but he has 10 be careful. like him to rest as much as possible. But we shall see quite q. lot Of him, and you'll like him very much when you know him better"
 T like him now" said Mary im- pulsively.
 Miss Farney looked pleased; she was never tired of listening to praise of her idol.
 Hes wonderful man-wonder- full" she said, with quiet enthusiasm. He doesn't make many friends, and he doesn't make them easily; but once he likes person, he'd do anything for him."
 T am sure he would"
 Hes just like his grandfather in some respects" Miss Narney went on, with evident enjoyment. Hes the straishtest man know, but once you make an enemy Of him" She looked up at Mary with a sort of pride. The Brethertons never for give!" she said severely.
 T don't think that's very nice of them," said Mary, with a nervous little smile. They might need for giveness for something themselves one day"
 Miss Narney unwound some more cotton from the ball on her lap.
 'It's family trait, my dear; l cant explain it in any other way. of course. know we are all taught to forgive our enemies. but not many of us do so. ] am afraid. Just now David was speaking of the family ghost, as he calls 1t. but he didn't tell you about the last time it ap- peared, and why it is supposed to have appeared, did he?"
 No"
 Tt was in his grandfather's time Dayid's father was a young man then, and his brother Ha1ph-you've heard Nigel speak Of his CHclg Ralph. of coHrse7"
 No"
 Miss Varney looked surprised.
 Haven't you? I wonder he didn't tell you about him. He was the black sheep Of the family. He was older than Davi1's father. and he got into trouble here at home and went of abroad. Nothing was heard of him for years until one day news of his death was sent 10 his father He'd died somewhere in America, and that apparently vas the end Of him and everyone naturally looked upon David snI Nieel's father ss heir.
 T suppose it must have been about zix months later" she went on. that woman arrived st the Ted Grange