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Lady In White - Part II
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Lady In White - Part II |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada 
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 Lady In White 1,169 words - © Mysteria 05/2002 Part II The pleasant evening came to an end all too soon. Marge took me up to my room which was even better than I had thought at first glance a few hours earlier on my arrival. It had a beamed ceiling and a low window that overlooked the terrace leading to the beautiful garden below. I was so very tired after the long drive and what with the warm food, the wonderful wine and the bright cozy fire, I was soon fast asleep. The following morning broke bright and clear. After a wonderfully delicious breakfast Derek took me around the estate, which was still about five acres in size and seemed somehow so huge to me. At the rear of the house the paved stone terrace terminated abruptly in an ornamental balustrade with a stone stairway that led down from it and opened onto a wide meadow-like lawn on which stood two magnificent cedars, one set at either end, dropping their wonderful black-green boughs over the grass. Derek had placed archery targets at both ends of the lawn, as well as leaving out a crocket set in case anyone wanted to play. So when the afternoon came, he and Marge inveigled me into trying to beat them in their own familiar game. “Hey! no fair,” I said. “You’ve both had far too much practice.” They still insisted on playing and I was surprised that I did quite well actually. “You’re not too bad at this at all, Anne,” both of them finally admitted and I felt quite pleased with myself actually, though I knew better of course, and I really thought they had let me win here and there. As the wind appeared to be blowing up from a storm, we returned to the house earlier than we had originally planned to do. All the daffodils, tulips and violets were out in profusion, but this cold breeze prevented us from enjoying them to the fullest, but tomorrow might be nicer, I thought. Back indoors, Marge roamed with me over the whole house showing me her treasures that they had bought in Europe, and were so proud of, and I must say I was impressed. I greatly admired the period pieces they had gathered together to furnish Martin’s Folly. They matched their settings perfectly in spite of all the modern renovations that they had done to the estate. I marveled at how the contractor had tried to maintain the period of the house with the new renovations. Dinner this evening was to be informal and cozy, so we relaxed afterwards by the fire almost wishing that dear old Archie had been in the circle, at least I did anyway, but I remembered him saying that this would be his busy night with a confirmation class he was attending to in the parish hall. Derek remarked that it looked as if a gale would be blowing up as some soot fell down the chimney. We all decided to retire early; I really think we had tired ourselves out just with reminiscing. After I was ready for bed and had turned my bed light on, I walked over to the window and parted the drapes. The moon was absolutely spectacular and almost full. Wispy clouds scudded overhead, intermittently dimming the light. The trees were swaying back and forth with the wind that was howling through the cracks in the window frames and was a full gale now. Glancing down at the terrace I remembered Archie’s story about the ghost and Marge’s assertion of its veracity. I thought I had really dismissed it from my conscious mind, but this setting of the full moon, the howling wind and the terrace recalled it all to my mind again. While I continued looking out to the lawn, a woman actually appeared on the terrace. I didn’t see where she had come from but there was no doubt at all, she was definitely standing there. She was dressed completely in white, in a sheer gown that trailed on the ground. Surely there must be an explanation other than Archie’s weird story. It could perhaps be Mrs. Richardson, the housekeeper, just out for some fresh air before retiring, or perhaps Marge herself, who was a light sleeper as I well knew. Then I noticed a light, a bright light in the darkness that illuminated her profile to disclose it was neither Mrs. Richardson nor Marge. This was a beautiful young woman, with flowing blonde hair, and an almost angelic face. From her hand rose a light that in the darkness appeared to be coming from her palm but that was impossible, wasn’t it? I watched in sheer fascination every step she took. Then she passed out of sight right into the large cedar tree on the lawn. How very strange, it was as if she vanished into the tree, or at least I could no longer see her. Well, I am not too excitable in nature, and I didn’t want to wake up the entire household, so I turned on the light in my room again, found my “Voices On The Web”, and began reading some poetry to calm myself down. I guess I must have fallen asleep for I awoke in the morning to what appeared to be a bright, sunny and beautiful day. I was going to tell everyone at breakfast about my experience the night before, but before we even sat down Derek was so excited to tell us about one of the huge cedars that had blown down in the night. So we postponed breakfast to view the damage done. As we walked across the terrace Derek was already over the lawn and called back to all of us. “Good Lord, will you look at this!” Derek was pointing to the huge hole that was made by the tree’s roots as they were ripped completely from the earth, and there in the mass of clotted clay, was a complete human skeleton. “This is a job for our friend Archie”, said Marge. “Maybe a Christian burial for the poor Mistress Faith, if it is her, after all this time has passed. Then suddenly Marge said in an almost frightened voice, “What on earth is that light coming from her, do any of you see that?” No one said a word, and then Derek said, “I think it is still a spark from last night dear. I think you’re right darling we will get Archie immediately and have a proper Christian burial for the poor girl; don’t you think so Anne?” Just then I noticed the light that had been dimming, went out completely and I smiled. In almost emotional tones, I related my experience of the preceding night. And that then settled the affair. We knew and sensed that Archie would know too, that the lady in white would never walk again the terrace and grounds of Martin’s Folly. The horrific storm had brought her eternal rest at last, and the light had been extinguished. [center]~* The End *~  ~* Carpe' Diem *~ [This message has been edited by Mysteria (05-19-2002 11:05 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2002 Mysteria 1997 - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I would have expected another couple of chapters, I do enjoy pieces like this, and I sincerely hope we will be seeing more prose from you soon! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
With her spirit set free, she'll likely shine that light far and wide... Very kewl write, Mysterias One...  |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Satisfying write. Kethry Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind. Unknown |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Sunshine - This was something to do in the middle of the night (note the time *winking*), as I had my granddaughter who pushed me out of MY bed! I shall try to do more of these more often and longer ones as I like doing them as well. Thank you. Nan, this stems from all these graveyards you "dragged" me through  Kethry ~ Well we aim to please ~* Carpe' Diem *~ [This message has been edited by Mysteria (05-19-2002 11:06 AM).] |
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