The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-11-19
THE MYSTERIOUS MANOR HOUSE.
FROM THE FRENCH,

1t was one Friday evening of the month
Of December, 1925. The greatest silence
rcigned on the road towards Orleans, which
it WAS at last broken by the sound of hor-
ses apparently approaching shortly two
riders came in sight, and one might have
heard from them the following conyersa-
ton
"At last NC arc arrived at this mysterious
chateau"
Not yet, Alfred deCourcy."
Our two travellers following this route,
had reached an old manor house, Which
was fast falling to decay. A peasant called
out to them
What are you doing there? That
charteau is the abode of gobIns and evil
geniuses; for more than hundred years
no one has dared to enter it.''
"What difference does that make z" re-
piled Alfred dcCourcy, with an air of skep.
tlcism. "Stories about dead men coming
back again were useful, formerly, to frighten
women and children, but now they amount
to nothing;' and without the slightest tre-
pida,ion he entered. The other cava-
her and the peasant drew back in a.tonish-
mcnt. The staircase almost sank under
the footsteps of our young dare devil. he
mounted boldly, and seeing door before
him he advanced toward it. The door
opened of itself.
"Whats the matter there 2" he cr;sd in
establishment; nobody lives in this old
chateau
This old chateau" was echoed back to
him. and again the most profound silence
fell upon all around him.
lie entered gallery, and the moonlight
streaming through window, lent an air of
dlabolism to an apartment. which would
otherwise have been no way remarkable
Come on, courage! he said to himself,
and the most frightful silence succeeded
these words, which was broken only the
sound of his footsteps. He continued hi,
walk. AT the end of the gallery lie found
bedroom, the only furniture being bed
and table upon which he laid his pistols.
Midnight sounded from the cl.ck of the
ne'ghborng church the moon vas covered
oy Cloud and deepest obscurity reisued
throughout the room. Presently tho sound
OF chains was heard, and then muffled
voice pronounced the words:
""ho are you, rash young nan9 Why
40 you come to my abode p and instsptly
cold hand seized hold Of Alfred, who
caught up his pistols.
Man or devil" said he, "depart, or I'll
kill your
The phantom laughed.
"Quit this room, or fire."
"Fire If you like" returned the phan-
tom.
The report of firearms was heard: All.
fred had discharged lis pistols at the ghost
but the balls bounded back to him again.
"lmpotent attempt" said the spirit; the
weapons or man are destitute Of power over
u.s."
Alfred became almost rigid With terror
lie trembIed before the spirit which ad.
Vanced toward him. At last he seized his
SWORD and attempted to strike with il bu,
the sword flew out Of his hand will, . clash
Then came voice which said:
You have tremblcd for the first time in
your life, Alfred deCourcy," and all fell
back again into the most profound silence
The cloud which obscurcd tho moon passed
of, and the dead body Of Alfred deCourcv
lay stiff on the chamber floor.
The next day it was reported in the
ne'ghborhood that young cavalier had
entered the chateau and lac. not bean seen
to come out again but nobody dared 90
near the manor in order to ascertain his
fate.
len years after, one day during the year
1888 some persons who had stopped in
front OF the chateau, a short distance off
saw monk enter. CONSERVATION was a,
its height, when, about an quarter of an
hour lie was seen 10 come out; every one
ran up to him to ask him who inhabited
it.
No ono" was the reply.
"How" they cried on all sides: asome
years ago young man went in there and
never was seen to come out again"
1t was who assassinated him." repl;ed
the monk, Eyes, Ir'
"Iell us how" they all demanded