Literature.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 69, 25 March 1904, Page 4

Literature.

AN OLJVFASIHOXKD CHRIST- j MAS. (Continued.) '• Mid anyone hear anything of the ghosts last night ?" aaked TafTie, as she dealt out the cards, which no one seemed particularly eaevr to tuke up. j " Ka—Lher," replied Bertie. "There was a deuce of a row down below somewhere about one o'clock." " [ thought J hoard something,' said lb-inn, 'Hut 1 was too sleepy tc bother." " Well, 1 ! kul some i'doa of coming down to investigate," added Alan ; " only J thought that perhaps it might be burglars." The girls hazarded mo remarks. 'Perhaps they prof-erred to ignore the dread subject. Perhaps, wrapped in the innocent slumbers of the newlyconvened, nothing had disturbed their perfect peace. " Well, I hoard it all, just as I described," Raid Mrs Tailie. "1 have no doubt that the carriage wheels woke me, for I distinctly heard the doors opening and shutting, the soft music, the popping of champagne corks, and the demoniac laughter;, You may grin, Bertie, but it was positively gruesome." Sorry," said Bertio. " I didn't mean to grin, really, Mrs Talhe. Look here, I'll be on the qui vjve to-night. Don't you be frightened. If anything happens again, I promise you Pll be on the spot a'nd know all about it."

Then candles were lighted, und guests passed in solemn process-ion to their respective apartments. Mrs Tailie had ln«pn asleep about an hour when the .same mysterious noises caused her to wake with a start. She raised -herself on her elbow and listened intently. Yes, there aga'ifi were the doors opening and shutting by some supenraituraj ajgency. yAgovin there stole through the stilly watches of the nigut those dulcet strains of mysterious music, an angel's voic<?. of surpassing beauty accompanied by a cracked old harpsichord. Again, that rustle of the silken skirts, the popping of corks and the mocking, devilish laughter. Mrs 'Puttie's firs-t impulse was to hide her head under the counterpane, but 'beiitug by nature a courageous woman, she shook oil her trembling fears," and determined to descend, ami, if possible, fiiml out the cause of these mysterious sounds. Throwing on a fur-lined wrapper, candle in hand, and with a firm step, . she made her way down the stairs. As her lingers clutched the handle of the dining-room door, her courage, fort an instant -failed her, for a deathly silence had fallen over all, a silence that was, if possible, even more soul-shaking than the former unearthly sounds. With a superhuman effort, she thing wide the door, and the sight that met her astonish-od gaze rooted her to the threshold upon which she stood. The table was strewn with the di*bris of an elaborate and delicatelyappointed feast. Empty wine hotties of every shape gave evidence that the cellar h'aid been rifled of its choicest wines. .Foils and masks were thrown in ono corner, Lydia.'s harp had been dragged out of its shroud, and stood revealed the harsh -discordant note amid the music of the spheres. Four of her shame-f'ncod guests sat at a cardtable from which the cards, the counters, and the coins had Ijeen hastily swept. Brian ami ltortic sat with an inane smile upon their faces, their hands (lyehind their backs endeavouring to conceal the dice boxes which they still grasped. But alas, the dice had escaped from their guilty fmgers ami lay with dumitmg evidence on the carpet at their feet. There was a long, painful silence, and then Mrs Totfie's voice |cut throqglh. the stillness Hke a keenedged knife. " I will not dvwll upon the'deceit practised towards myself," she said, "nor on -the bribery and cosruption of my servants. Let that pass. J tried to entertain you in my way, and I have failed- signally. As a hostess, lean only feel gratified that, having takvn the burden of entertainment upon your own shoulders, your -efforts should have been crowned with such perfect success. Unfortunately, my small share in the scheme of hospitality cannot be extended any further, as I am leaving Wales by the first train to-morrow morning, and 1 must request that these three young ladies be ready to accompany me, in order that i may restore them to their parents. 1 lind the responsibility of their charge too heavy for me. The gentlemen can depart by what means and at whatever hour they find most convenient. and they can continue to issue orders to my servants until the moment of their departure. CJertrude, Lydia aawl Mary, you are, for the time being, under my care. 3 shall feel obliged if you will accompany me at -once to your rooms."

'lie three men» looked djown at their boots, thou Brian, gathering courage, stepped forward. " Stay a moment, Mrs TaiTic," he said, " we -can't let you. go believing; us to Ijo out and out cads and beastly sneaks. It is true that wo havcj eaten your meat and d'runk your wine at unholy hours, but w« must plead 'not guilty' to the charge of bribery and corruption. The prime mover of this midnight orgie, tlie arch-fiend who tempted us to laugh, at your good counsels, who persuaded us that it was tommy-rot to go to l>ed at ten o'clock, is here ! Come forth, thou child of Satan ! Come forth, thou spotted serpent on tho stainless hearth, and stand confessed it ringleader -of secret wine-' a niidni-gjlit roy.sterer of Die deepest dye, ami the master of this lnysttTioi'sly-ihaimWl house !" As finished speaking, Urum pulled nsido the heavy curtain that, shrouded the bay window, ami discovered -Mr David (Ilendower, cigar in hand, and an airy smile upon his Satanic face. "Taflie!" shrieked Mrs Glondower. " Myself, 2 ' returned her lord and master. " I came by motor. ] arrived a little -bit late on account of an accident to one of the tyres ; but J made sure J would lind you all keeping Christmas in regular, good, old-fashioned style. You may imagine my amazement when I discovered the servants shutting up for the night. 1 told them to me a feed, and 1 routed out these hoys and girls here. I hadn't the heart to disturb your sweet and, peaceful slumbers, my dear. Now, tho best thimg you con do is to bog tlie pardon of these ladies and gentleman ; and if they will generously eonscnt to-overlook your peremptory notice to qjuit, 1 will guarantee them a real good time as long as they will honour us with their company." Mrs Tafiie coloured hotly and stammered painfully over her distasteful task. Jn the middle of her apology an idea struck her. " Jhit how about tlie mysterious sounds last night ?" she asked. " Oh, the noises last night," said Bertie, with a warning wink at the others, " were made by real, genuine, unmistakable ghosts." " And now," said Tafiie, cutting the wire o'i a bottle of champagne. " let us drink to nil our good healths, at the same time westering a solemn vow that when any of us feel anxious to begin reforming society we will, one and Ml, start severely and conscientiously with ourselves." " Hear, hear !" said all the guests, ajid that toast was drunk with seasonable honours. (Tiie End.)