Page 125 of Ghost

Francis smiled and nodded his agreement.

“Okay, let’s go see.”

Francis disappeared and Mason climbed the stairs, feeling it get warmer and warmer as he made his way up and into the front hall.What he saw astonished him.

From behind the door to downstairs, he could see into the dining room.The light fixture he’d bought was installed and hanging over a large dining room table with ten chairs.The was also a matching mahogany buffet and a china cabinet, full of china and crystal.Sitting on the table was a set of matching silver candelabras, and two more on the buffet.

He was standing on an oriental rug that filled the entire entryway.It had to be an antique but was still beautiful.Next to the front door was a splendid hall tree, with space for umbrellas and or walking sticks.

He looked up and saw a light fixture there and he had not bought it.He turned and saw that the light for the stairwell was in place, offering a nice glow.It looked as if it had always been there.

He looked into the small parlor, the one he intended to use as an office, and it also had been furnished.There was an oak rolltop desk, a leather chair in front of it and a small settee along the inside wall, and a bookcase full of books on the wall next to the door.A small chair that matched the settee was placed in the corner with a small, white, marble-topped table.He looked closely and it appeared to be cherry.

Mason stopped and shook his head.This can’t be real.

He turned and looked across the hall into the formal parlor.The light fixture he’d bought for this room had been installed cleaned, bright and shinning.There was another rug in the center of the room, that was just as beautiful as the one in the hall.

When he entered the room, he saw Francis standing in front of the window facing him, a huge smile on his face.Next to the window was a wing-back chair and small table, this one mahogany.Along the other wall, under the window was a large swan back sofa, in front a mahogany table.He turned and on either side of the entry, two very large bookshelves, full of books and they wrapped around each corner, making four in total.

Mason looked back to Francis, who nodded his head towards the fireplace.On the mantle was an antique clock, silver candlesticks and a box.Mason looked back to Francis.“What’s the box?”Mason whispered.

“A custom-made cigar box my father had commissioned.”

Mason turned and looked at the bookcases more closely.“Are these all your books?

“No.There are more in my bedroom.”

Mason walked towards Francis.“A big reader then?”

“I was.”Francis laughed.“Now I watch television.”

Mason rolled his eyes.He looked around the room again.

“There used to be a portrait of my mother over the fireplace, but I wouldn’t let Ellen even bring it in the house.I asked her to burn it, but she refused.She has said that she was going to donate it to the museum or historic society.I really don’t care where it goes but not in this house.”

Mason shivered as he remembered her screeching scream and bad smell and taste.“Good call.”

Francis looked quizzically at him.

“I’ll tell you later.”Mason looked into Francis’ eyes.“Is there more?”

Francis smiled, quite pleased by the look of it.“Yes.There is more for you to see.”

Francis walked from the room and down to the dining room.He then gestured for Mason to look over the mantle.

Mason gasped.“Hobonny,” he whispered.“This painting is...magnificent!”He walked closer.“I...I don’t know the words to describe it.I think it is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”He looked closer at the name signed in the bottom right corner.“Is the artist famous?”He turned to look at Francis, but quickly looked back at the painting.

“I am not really sure.I was very young when it was painted.I think it is one of the best works of art I have ever encountered.Of course, I am very partial to it because it is of the home I loved, always.”

“I don’t know what to say.”Mason was completely overwhelmed.Mason looked around.“Where did everybody go?”

Francis chuckled.“Ellen.Need I say more?”

Mason moved close to Francis.“She wanted you to show it to me.”

“You are a very clever man, Mason Montgomery, as I knew you were.Now, shall we make our way upstairs?”

“Wait, there’s more?”