FOLLOWED IN THE DARK.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 250, 28 March 1888, Page 5

FOLLOWED IN THE DARK.

A True Ghost Story. The country in summer and autumn is especially enchanting. 1 don't think, however, that in our praise of ib we should forget spring in all its budding beauty, nor yet be unmindful of winter with its icychains. To a mind truly alive to the beauties of nature, each season possesses a charm better felt than expressed. What I am about to relate happened one lovely autumn evening, when the clouds wer» chasing each other in all grotesque shapes imaginable over a moon full ot lighfc and splendour. Tempted and charmed, a friend and I sallied forth for a stroll. The path chosen was one frequently trodden by us — a short lane with a high hedge on each side. connecting two villages. Roaming on, we reached the village of H . Our old friend, Mr B , always welcomed us with a hearty shake of the hand and a genial smile. " How dan you," he cried, " venture so> far from home without a beau ? Wero ycai not afraid of the ghosts and hobgoblins that once haunted H Lane?" "No, no,"\velaughedinanswer; "but had you not better tell us one of your quaint old stories ?" "I would," he said, "if you had not to go back." " How can anything you might tell us strike terror to our soul ? You know," we replied, "we are always most attentive listeners, and we recall with heartfelt pleasure your many amusing stories." "Oh! but the stories "of ghosts are terrible things to relate," he said jokingly, and added, " Were I to tell you all I know your hair, verily, would stand so erect that no bonnet would fit. :> We laughed heartily at his serious, im-pressive-looking face, liclle dreaming what vre should experience before our return hamc. After our amusing tete-a-tete, we rose to depart. Exchanging a kindly "' good night," and giving u promise to hear more of our friend's stories another time, we started off on our way back to R . The moon was now a little overcast, and her brilliancy not so charming as when we started. Walking quickly along, we suddenly thought we heard footsteps afc our heels. We walked more quickly, but the more wo seemed to bo pursued. We believed that one of the ghosts of whom gossips, often told had been aroused from his slumber, and was bent upon patrolling his favourite haunts again. Terror lent us speed, and we fled down the lane, never once stopping to look tc* the right or to the left until we reached the first cottage. All this time we were swiftly pursued. When at the bottom of the lane, we wheeled round, expecting to meet some appalling spectre. All was silent. Not a sound broke the stillness ot night. Starting off again more slowly, our footsteps seemed to be accurately imitated. " What can it be V" I cried, looking 1 around on every side in utter dismay, "what can it be ?" and a strange indescribable feeling crept over us. Breathlessly we gazed into each other's face, and, rivetted as it were to the spot, stood motionless. But now the mystery was abou*> to be solved. Turning round, my foot became entangled in a bunch of withered leaves twisted tightly round a thorn that had become entangled in the lining of my dress. Long dresses, as most ladies Avill remember, were worn in 186—, sweeping to the ground with their train, unless carried. And it was my long dress that had raised the ghost. Many a time the joke went round that we had seen the ghost of H Lane. Bub never again could wo conjure up that dreadful feeling of being followed in the dark.