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S82 THE DAILY TIMES GAZETTE, Fridey, December 84, 1054 And On The Earth Peace, Goodwill Toward All Men Christmas Ghost Story Has Strange Background The story which I am about to relate happened to myself some years ago, and may, therefore, be classed among what are commonly called 'Authentic Ghost Stories." Tho a believer in the unseen, I am at the same time broad-mind- the house, which she said was in- fested by mice. 1 replied that I a 8 Bike 450 a housts always ased me, so divesting porter of my impediment as he led me up a narrow stair and along a dark passage till we came to a r, ed enough to admit that, given the | doo: desired opportunities, combined with certain pecular mental and optical conditions, what appear to be convincing facts may be proved by saner, more scentific minds to be mere deluspry visions, easily accounted for, and satisfactorily diposed of, However, 1 must not begin by throwing cold water upon what was to me at least, one of the most in- teresting and exciting experiences of my life. I bad been spending Christmas and the New Year with cousins in Lanarkshire, and was on my re. turn journey to Edinburgh, where I was due at 4 o'clock that after- noon, They saw me off at the station and bade me a cheery good-bye, There was no other occupant of my compartment, and 1 settled myself comfortably in the corner and gazed out at the darkening sky. It was a stormy afternoon of wind and rain, Heavy clouds were blown hither and thithef by Je gale, for the frost had gone and a thaw had set in, We had been keeping late hours, dancing and making merry, and 1 was very tired, It was scarcely to be wondered at that with the noise of the train and the warmth of the carriage, a feeling of drowsiness stole over me, I fell into a sound sleep. I must have remained thus for some time, for on waking I found myself being whirled along in dark- ness. Hastily looking at my watch, I discovered it was long after 4 o'clock, the hour at which I was due in Edinburgh, Instead of changing at Carstairs I had peace- fully slept on and was now being swiftly carried southwards, in the London express, There was noth- ing for it but to resign myself to fate and spend the night at the first most suitable-looking stopping place. THE LOCKERBIE INN Beattock, the next station, pre. sented a dreary, inhospitable ap- pearance, but at Lockerbie I de- termined to alight, and calling a porter, asked him to direct me to the nearest inn where I could get a bed for the night. He told me there was one quite close to the station, and taking my dressing bag and wraps, preceded me with a lantern, along the cobble stones of the village street, The landlady, a fine buxom body with the good-natured countenance belonging to an ample physique, gave me a hearty welcome, but on my demanding lodgings for the night she said the inn was full -- not a bed to be had. This was an unexpected blow, but remained firm in I y and finally after much eraiasion; she promised to put me up if had no objection to the old part of "Be careful, miss there are three steps down into this room; if we can help ourselves." So say- ing she pushed open the door. magine my surprise and delight on finding a large well-proportion- ed room entirely panelled with oak, and containing one or two valuable pleces of antique furniture. In the centre stood an old four-post bed. stead most beautifully carved, look- ing as if it had once been an heir- loom in some family long since laid to rest, STRANGER IN THE PARLOUR My wandering thoughts were re- called by the landlady, who bustled about, rang for hot water, had the fire lit, and saying tea would be ready in the parlour -- the first door to the right -- he left me to wash my hands and generally tidy up. This done I took up the candle and went out to find the parlour, It was easily found, as there seem- ed to be no other rooms near, so I opened the door on my right and walked In. As I entered a man sit- ting by the fire rose, bowed low, and offered me his chair, He was dressed in the riding dress of the early seventeenth century, and wore the long curled hair of that period; but his dark handsome face which was clean shaven, had so evil an expression, that it was with feelings of Intense relief that on turning to thank him for his court- esy, I found that he had gone, It never occurred to me till long after that it was curious to say the least, to find a stranger in this quiet country inn, dressing in clothes belonging to the times of Charles 1. Tea was brought in and the rwarmth of the room made me so sleepy, I decided to go to bed. Retracing my steps to the quaint old bedroom, I found the landlady poking up a bright fire and seeing n every way to my comfort. She showed me a bell beside the bed, begging me to ring if I felt in the least nervous, and assuring me she would come at once. I sald I did not think I should be likely to disturb her and bade her good-night. What strange piece of good for- tune had brought me here I won- dered, as I gazed contentedly round this fascinating room, with the warm firelight playing on the old oak panels and touching with rosy fingers the faded hangings of wind. ow and bed. THE PANELLED ROOM Taking up my candle I walked round the room to inspect it more closely. Perhapes the dim old mir. ror had once reflected some fair face with its crown of powdered hair, the now [ t had felt the impres of Tittle highheels. and 1| known the rustle of dainty silken skirts, it's very old, and we never use it|eq py Possibly those oak panels could tell many a tale of and mirth, of tragedy and tress; who knows? ~-- but I was tired, waking dreams must come ta an end like all else, Locking the door I got into bed and was soon lost to the world in that dreamless sleep of healthy fatigue, I must have slept many hours when I was suddenly awaken- the noise of a being softly turned in the lock and open- ing my eyes saw the slender figure of a girl in an old-fashioned bro- cade dress, Her soft brown hair was piled high upon her little head, but not powdered; she had large blue eyes and a pale sweet face, of my presence, and walked with the quiet air of proprietorship, such as one would in one's own private apartment, Sitting down by the fire she waited a long time listening in- tently, then, rising, unlocked a ca- binet, and, taking out bread, meat, and a flask of wine, set them down upon a table. This done she walked across the room, softly humming an old English love song, such as the cavaliers used to sing. Before she had finished the first verse, a panel in the wall slid silently back, disclosing the face of a young man and | with a heavy heart that he saw hi: | She was evidently quite unaware | jg this daughter and an only son Gil- bert, some years younger, in whom to the matter - of - fact thelr being_amiong the thoughts still lived and 'moved and' ows of those ys long since past' mains with us. shad- | away, whose memory alone re- train, my | had all his hopes were centred. He was the apple of his father's eye, the last of the Face, the good old fa- could do but stand by him as | all the Royalists did, though it was | only son depart to join the army | he himself was too old to follow. Then came misfortune thick anc fast, and finally after Marston Moor, Gilbert Carmichael returned to his home, a hunted fugitive, For weeks and months Cecilia | contrived to feed him and keep | him alive by means of the subter- | ranean passage communicating by the sliding panel with her own | room, | Here he lay hidden and was at last tracked and betrayed through the treachery of Colonel Ingleby, | one of Cromwell's army who, feign- | loyalty to the Royalist cause, | gained the friendship of Sir John Carmichael, His admittance to the | house only fostered his dastardly schemes, and sealed the doom of | its inmates, Young Gilbert Carmi- | chael shot himself rather than fall | into such hands, and his old father did not long survive him, but died | of a broken heart soon after, Cecilia went to live with distant relations in the South of England, | and the house and property were disposed of, In time the house became an inn, and only the landlady and a few $0 closely resembling her own that one instinctively felt them to be brother and sister. of the oldest inhabitants knew its | melancholy history, | As 1 walked down after break: | fast, with the matter-of-fact porter' May all the pleasures of CHRISTMAS last you through the entire year! AdS6lerm 3 ROBINSON MOTORS 574 RITSON S. OSHAWA SAND GRAVEL SUPPLY 877 KING E. i yo HN inchad His face, however, was and haggard, and his eyes had the hunted expression of a wild animal that is being pursued, There was a depth of joy in their quiet greeting, and holding his hand, she led him to the fire and set food before him, PISTOL SHOT Scarcely had he touched it when, in the parlour, but his Cromwell's army, I remembered no more. during the night, divided against itself, when King John Carmichael, dead, his daugt house for him, He had two children, - EE or To our many friends and loyal customers . . . it is indeed a Sleasure to thank each and every one of you for your patronage. It has been our privilege to serve you . . . it is our pleasure now to extend to you . . . our warmest wishes for all that's bright ard gay IN THIS WONDER- FUL CHRISTMAS SEASON, .. MILL andl YARD at COURTICE Riel 3-BBBV + Uptown, Bifice "JOWMANVILLE : MARKET 3-2130 = » v AJAX: ZENITH 2-9600 with a loud crash, the door burst open and a man, followed by two soldiers, entered. In an instant I recognised the dark evil face of him who had offered me his chair flowing locks were gone; instead, he pre- sented the cropped ears of the Roundheads, and the uniform of I saw him point to the lad, I heard the report of a pistol ring sharp and clear, followed by the low agonised cry of a girl -- then When consciousness returned, daylight was streaming in at the window, and the landlady, with a white, anxious face, was bending over me a cup of tea in her hand. Revived by the tea I assured her I was quite well, but ventured to ask if anyone had been murdered After much difficulty I succeeded in extracting from her the follow- ing story. In the days of Charles 1., when England was as a house and Parliament were bitter foes, and brother fought against brother, the inn had belonged go] ne Sir v J KING ST. W. | RY TIN ee NLT ST me Ny An Old Fashioned Christmas Greeting! May your Yuletide be enriched with all the blessings of a traditional Christmas - Peace, as quiet as mew-fallen snow .'. , the heartwarming Joy of a family together « + « Good Will for all! This is our old-fashioned wish for our friends and customers ---- MERRY CHRISTMAS! The Management and Staff of 92 SIMCOE ST. N. 450 Simeoe §. TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS AND MANY FRIENDS We hope fo continve fo serve pou with trieadiinens ond . courtory '1 Chrivimat rolls round once mere, Beaton's Dairy Products Lid. Phone 5-3511 To Good Neighbors Season's Greetings To amiable citizens who support me at Civic Elec- tions please accept thanks and Best Regards "JOHNNY" BLACK