Year: 1868

NJ 0HOoT. Oh WHAT 1APPDuED TO


/" JUST FlFTEEN TEABs AGO.


During the summer of 1856 circumstances made
1t desirable for me to change my residence, and
after looking for some days at different houses
and comparing the evils with the sgreeables about
them until was dazed to tell 'tother from which.
decided upon . handsome two-story and attic
honse that stood little to itself, with quite Q
large and pretty yard and garden attached to il.
1t had been built with eye to the comfort Of ts
inhabitants very rarely found in this tenantabused
city OF ours, which plainly evnced that the plan
ner OF 1t intended to occupy ss well as build.
have never seen more desirable house In any
city, and wondering at my good luck in obtaining
such q gem, took it on a lease renewable at
pleasure, for as long time as might desire.


The agent was uncommonly accommodating
and put the whole place, house and garden, in
perfect order, and as went over its spacious
halls and rooms, and wandered through the gar
den fragrant with thousand blended odors Of
heliotrope, violet, rose and jasmine, and saw
where the tube-rose and mignopette, hyacinthe
and jonquil would in their time perfume the air,
the alleys shaded with pecan. and orange. was
delighted with my bargain and deeply regretted
that i could not purchase such paradise asn
seemed TO be.


was quite busy for several days getting the
house settled to the routine of daily household
duties, and kept every one as busy as bees put
ting down carpets, putting up curtains and ar
ranging the furniture in the rooms; being some
what prims and precise in my notions, at last.
had everything completed to my satisfaction and
the mendge worked smoothly once more.


There was beautiful south room that opened
upon the prettest parterre of the garden. This
selected for my library and snuggery. 1t had been
fitted up originally as q library, and the book
cases were as much part Of the room as the IRE
mantles were, while at intervals there were inches
and brackets for the s'atuettes, busts and vases.
These were all still there, and were beautiful
collection of copies from world renowned
ststuary.


determinedEthis should be my own sanctum
and that here ] would reign supreme and undis-
puted sovereign in my realm. fitted It up
in oak with cushions, curtains and carpets, rich
dark green and only golden hued or red cush-
ion here and there to brighten little the some
what somber tint. In 1t l put the softest, lowest
and most comfortable chairs, divans and lounges
| could procure, and made my den nest of COM
fort the hours in Paradise might envy.


1t has long been the custom In our family to Sc
lect one of the best bedrooms in the house aud fur
DishiDg 1t handsomely. give it the name of Guest
Chamber" and reserve 1t exclusively for the use
of those friends who favored Us with remaining
as guests for the night and selected the room
above my library as the guest chamber Of our
new house, and furnished it to match In green and
oak. Although it opened on the grand corridor
of the building up stairs, there was circular
flight of steps that led from the balcony attached
to it down into the garden, SO that If the guests
chose they could come and go without entering
the main corridor of the house at all. When there
was no one there the room was locked mp and the
key kept in q cabinet in my library.


November had nearly glided by; the weather
Sumner we often have here. cool and bracng,
and yet not cold. / had been out all day shopping
and making calls, and returned home somewhat
fatigued, and after the family circle had broken
h
tum, and prepared to rest and enjoy few hours
mental recreation. But tempted by the broad,
soft lounge drawn up before the glowing fire that
had burned down into that state when there are
little hickers of fame illuminating the bright
glowing Goals that peep through the white ashes
in thousand fantastic forms, enabling you to
trace all sorts Of scenes and pictures In them, L
sank upon ii and began making castles in the fire.
pastime often indulge in-and books, pen and
paper wooed in vain.


II must have been near one o'clock when was
reused by plainly hearing steps overhead in the
guest chamber, ss though some one was slowly
pacing over the floor. Startled at the sound,
up and listened. wondering II IL were possible
that some friend had come through the day and
had retired before my return home. could not
think it probable. Yeti plainly heard the regular
step of some one slowly walking to and fro over
head in that room. Getting up and going over to
the cabinet, opened it and found the key of the
chamber quietly resting there, and as had locked
it myself felt confident that it had not been left
open through mistake. Throwing open the door,
took lamp from table near by, and passing
through the hall and up the stairs Into the grand
corridor and on to the door Of the guest chamber,
stopped a moment TO listen. Not a sound; the
whole house seemed buried in sleep, or as though
Death held his court there, all was go still. /
unlocked the door, and opening it, entered.
Neither fire nor light betokened the presence OF =
guest. On closely scanning the room, found the
windows closed. Those on the balcony were well
fastened, and the curtains drawn. Locking the
door again, returned to my room beneath and
listened. Again heard the regular step In the
room above. Looking towards the garden at
that moment was astonlshed TO see, ascending
the circular stairs, q female VINO was unknown 70
me-. The moon shone as clear as day, flooding the
garden and her features were plainly visible. L
walked to the WINDOW aud spoke to her, asking
her who she was and what was her errand there
at That hour, but as spoke she seemed TO fade
from view. and the step on which she mad stood
was plainly Visible. -. ..,,


Funny, take IL all togetner, amt N!" said Il
to myself. "At any rate / shall return to the
quiet chamber and paes the night with whoever
1t is now walking there" Going to my bed room L
gathered my toilette articles, and taking some
wine and a book made nv wav there at once