apartment. Besides the door opening into the entry,
there was another leading to some other room. There was no lock upon
this second door, but a heavy table, placed across, completely
barricaded it.

"I am safe," thought the major, "unless there is a storming party of
ghosts to attack me in my fastness. I think I shall sleep well."

He threw himself into an arm chair before the fire, and watching the
glowing embers, amused himself with building castles in the air, and
musing on the attractions of the fair Julia, his host's daughter. He
was far enough from thinking of spectral visitants, when a very slight
noise struck on his ear. Glancing in the direction of the inner door,
he thought he saw the heavy table glide backwards from its place.
Quick as thought, he caught up a pistol, and challenged the intruder.
There was no reply--but the door continued to open, and the table to
slide back. At last there glided into the room a tall, graceful
figure, robed in white. At the first glance, the blood curdled in the
major's veins; at the second, he recognized the daughter of his host.
Her eyes were wide open, and she advanced with an assured step, but it
was very evident she was asleep. Here was the mystery of the Green
Chamber solved at once. The young girl walked to the fireplace and
seated herself in the arm chair from which the soldier had just
risen. His first impulse was to vacate the room, and go directly and
alarm the colonel. But, in the first place, he knew not what apartment
his host occupied, and in the second, curiosity prompted him to watch
the _denouement_ of this singular scene. Julia raised her left hand,
and gazing on a beautiful ring that adorned one of her white and taper
fingers, pressed it repeatedly to her lips. She then sank into an
attitude of repose, her arms drooping listlessly by her sides.

The major approached her, and stole the ring from her finger. His
action disturbed, but did not awaken her. She seemed to miss the ring,
however, and, after groping hopelessly for it, rose and glided through
the doorway as silently as she had entered. She had no sooner retired
than the major replaced the table, and drawing a heavy clothes press
against it, effectually guarded himself against a second intrusion.

This done, he threw himself upon the bed, and slept soundly till a
late hour of the morning. When he awoke, he sprang out of bed, and ran
to the window. Every trace of the storm had passed away, and an