The Ghost of Christmas Castle.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 217, 12 September 1936, Page 3 (Supplement)

The Ghost of Christmas Castle.

By AGNES WINSKELL.

V 3» — CAROL stepped quietly out of the big room into the hall as Beth buried her face in the blue silken cushion and began counting audibly. "One—two—three—four—" The words echoed strangely in the unusual quiet. The party guests moved silently about the room, seeking a desirable hiding place. Of the laughter and chatter of a moment before, not a sound was to be heard; even the paper chains and lanterns hung tensely, so it seemed, as if in keeping with this new mood. How they had joined with the children in tlieir former gaiety! They had shouted joyously the greeting that the card at the end of the room smiled more gently —"A Merry Christmas." Carol, as she paused a little undecidedly in the hall, looking about her hastily, could not stay the thought that had returned to her twenty times that day. What a wonderful Christmas this was to be! The 24th had dawned to reveal a countryside clothed in snow, gleaming where the early morning rays fell upon it. "A v real picture postcard Christmas" had been the delighted declaration, and the words were true. Every house was wliite-roofed, every street buried, and the old castle— the landmark of the village—snowclad, too, added considerably to the illusion. It was a beautiful castle. Sight of it stirred visions of romantic, adventurous days gone by, when fleeing soldiers had secreted themselves behind sturdy oak panels and slipped away unseen through the dim, narrow passages. And, too, stories of ghosts were recalled—fearful ghosts, complete with clanking chains and eerie callings, of whem awesome tales were ,told round the cheerful open hearth. Yes, indeed, old Christmas Castle was beloved of every villager. None there were who could tell, for certain, the origin of the unusual christening, but rumour had it that years back— years known only through history books —a powerful nobleman had ordered it built for his Christmas bride-. But no one's love was greater than Carol's, she, the youngest occupant of the castle. And to-night—on the eve of Christmas—her affection grew deeper still, and her heart glowed with a happiness that knew no bounds. Beth's slow counting suddenly awoke in her the urgency of the occasion. The hall was brightly lighted, but further down, beneath the stairs, was a dim alcove. Carol ran towards it quickly and pressed herself against the panelled wall, squeezing into the corner until she was almost unnoticeable in the shadow. There was an unexpected click, and only presence of mind saved Carol a nasty fall backwards into, the black void that had opened behind her. She took her weight from the panel just in time, turning in sudden fright. The panel had slipped back to reveal an opening! Carold stood still, her heart beating madly, and let a second pass before thrusting her head, with nervous curiosity, into the cavity. The

light from the hall but dimly lit up the passage, for such it was, and she could' not see whence it led. A thrilling idea came to her. A real hiding place! None would think to find her in a secret passage, and in the darkness the opening in the wall would not be noticed. She stepped through, and as a cold draught blew by her, shivered. It was cold! But afterwards —and the mere thought was Consolation enough —she would tell them all about it! How excited everyone would be! But the pleasing thoughts were interrupted by a strange sound that struck fear into Carol's heart. What was that? Her ears were strained to listen, and she felt herself grow colder still, as she tried to pierce the darkness. There it was again! A sound like the clanking of a chain against stone! "Ghosts!" Carol's terrified conclusion caused her to move towards the opening hurriedly. Her panic took its part in delaying her. She tripped, reached out a hand to save herself a fall—the wall moved—and she was shut in! A prisoner! Carol's stunned brain could not take in the meaning for a long moment. She stared at the place

where the opening had been before the truth shrieked out with startling bluntness. She ran her fingers frantically over the woodwork. The spring—the secret spring—she must find it! Oh, she must —she must! Her hands were shaking as they feverishlj* obeyed the instructions of an almo't stricken mind. But her efforts were in vain. The welcome click that would announce- her free again did not come. Carol felt herself going hot and cold in turn. . Clink!. Clank! The echo was nearer now, and a little louder than before. Carol looked up, startled —and drew back against the wall at what she saw. The darkness clouded the new pallor that had come into her cheeks; hid the gleam of fear that lurked in her eyes. If only she could say something—cry out!' She wanted to, madly, but something stayed the sound from passing her lips. Then the spell was broken. The green eyes that gleamed so mockingly from the darkness moved —came nearer—grew larger still! As Carol watched, her fear broke its bonds —and she screamed. The sound, too, broke the spell that had let her stand, numbly, unmoving, and her feet stumbled clumsily along the passageway, taking her—"anywhere!" Carol cried to herself—"so long as away from those gleaming, torturing eyes that followed her!" Back in the big room Beth was slowly nearing the hundred that was the goal. "Ninety-one, ninety-two, ninetythr—"

And then came —the scream. Beth broke off and raised her head quickly, blinking her eyes in the unaccustomed light. Those children w.lio had found places of hiding in the room itself showed themselves hurriedly, and in all their evee was the same query. They stood in frozen attitudes of apprehension, exchanging nervous, questioning glances. One or two of the younger ones crept slowly closer to their bigger companions for protection. Betlrs eyes were still red and swollen from the tears of earlier in the day. "Why, Beth," Carol had exclaimed in concern when her friend had first arrived. "You've been crying. What's the matter?" "It's Brieky," Beth had faltered, whilst her eyes were filling again with ready tears. "My lovely pussy. She's missing. She's been gone two days now, and I'm sure —oh! I'm sure something's happened to her!" "Why, Bfith, don't be silly!" Carol's chiding voice had made an effort to comfort. "She'll come back. Of course she will. Why, she might even be waiting for you to-night when you go home."

"Oh, if only she was!" Beth had begun fervently, only to be interrupted by Carol's gay, "But come on, Beth. I can hear the others. You must come and meet them all." So the miserable subject had been changed, and Bricky forgotten during the excitement and gaiety of the evening. Only Betli's red eyes were a reminder now as they met .those of the other children in the room. Carol's father burst into the room, unceremoniously breaking the silence. "What was that? What has happened?" His startled eyes swept the room in search of an answer. "Someone screamed." Beth answered him nervously. "We—we don't know. We were playing hide-and-seek." Most of the visitors had" congregated in the room again, and the man's eyes, roving over them hastily, missed the one he knew best. "Where is Carol ?" he interrupted. ' There was a shaking of heads and a low murmur of voices that professed their ignorance. "You don't know ? When did you last see her? Quickly, now! We must find her." "We were playing hide and seek," Beth repeated. "She was here before—" "I saw her run out into the hall," chimed in another excitedly, and, "Yes, so did I," came the confirmation from at least six others of the guests. Carol's father stood thoughtfully for a moment, then he turned abruptly and left the room. The

children flocked after him breathlessly, their fear gone with the presence of an adult protector. "We must have a search round for her. Come on. , Everyone can help." The man joined his wife, who was hurrying up, white-faced and worried. "Anthony—" "Don't worry, my dear," he said gently, as he paused to speak to her. "Carol is lost. But she can't be far. In one of the passages, most probably." There was a buzz of excited conversation among the children as they followed on the unexpected, unplanned tour. There were many whose knowledge of castles had previously been limited, extending only as far as their reading had led tliem, ; and great was the excitement as they pressed hopeful fingers over the many panels in search of the hidden springs of their story book tales. Like Pied Piper of Hamelin, Carol's father led the search party after him, until almost the whole castle had been explored. But no Carol was found. They returned to the big room disconsolate and worried, the anxious parents to prepare the next plan of action, the children to discuss curiously the unusual situation. Ghosts held a high place in the impromptu solutions, for, asked the guests, who had ever heard of a castle without its own family ghosts? No one, of course. * Beth, after a time, tiring of the other's chatter, strolled to the window. It was a clear night now that the snow had ceased to fall, and the moon was high and full. The trees threw their shadows eerily; their branches weighed down heavily. Beth's cry was unexpected, and everyone in the room turned, startled, to face her. Betlr'9 eyes were gleaming as she turned to beckon them, indicating a certain place in the gardens with a pointing hand. "Look! Over by the little summer house! There's something moving— someone there!" The crowd about the window strove to peer above each other's shoulders. The figure in the grounds vanished into the shadows for a moment, then came forward again into the moonlight. "Carol!" The name was echoed simultaneously by all. "Wait here," the man commanded authoritatively. "You too, dear," to his wife. "I'm going out to her." They waited impatiently for the two to return. At the sound of the familiar voices there was a concerted rush to meet them. "Carol, dear," the child's mother queried, "how ever did you—" "What happened, Carol," an eager chorus interrupted, but Carol, continuing a heated argument with her father, made no reply, save to wave her hand cheerily. "But I tell you I did, daddy," she declared. "It was a cat. I was as scared as anything when I saw it first —just its eyes—and I tried to run away from it."