The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-02-24

Oh FYOCE XTSuUVTS. u ICRiJ kN0t IL was
standing still, as everything in law always is, but on the
evening succeeding my promenade, he made his appear
ance with q countenance that was a perfect series of ex-
clamation points.
WHIST is it, papaf' was demanded, ir Eve different
keys; but an unaccountable trembling seized me and l
remained silent.
The strangest story l ever listened to! said my
uncle, at length, in a solemn manner, : l cannot posi-
bly, account for it,
why ? exclaimed the volatile Emma, has old Miss
Pyott appeared 10 her nephew, and told him, in a
sspulchral voice, where to find her will?'
~'Some,hing very ike it, was the reply, in q tcns
that drew Eve eager faces closely around him.
sDeumcre's story continued my uncle, began With
an apology. 1t seems that the walled up room is not
walled up st all, but only boarded, and to one acquaint'
cd with the locality, it is very easy to effect an entrance,
upperceiyed, from the outside. knowing, be says, that
it would Mt interfere with the arrangements OF the lam
ily, be had been accustomed to spend hours in what IS
called the haunted room and there he loved to SIT,
thinking Of the past, and deviatiug means TO prove his
lawful claim to the beloved house.
Last night, he discovered in an ancient secretary,
some old letters written by his mother to his aunt before
he was born and losing all thoughts OF the present, he
had been reading them for at least an hour, when sud
denly . rustling sound attracted his attention, and the
figure Of his aunt Eleanor stood in the doorway. She
seemed to gaze upon him inquiringly, and her hand
grasped g roll Of paper. But at the sound OF inc
exclamation which he could not suppress, shelmmeoia,e'y
9t2fteu. 1EU throwing Ia paper va" N"'
from his sight.
lie lost his consciousness for 8 time and when ne
recovered, he found himself lying on the floor where lie
must lave fallen. Although a man Of great strength OF
m.nd, il was impossible to persuade ham that he old 10.
really see his aunt Eleanor; and the strangest part OF
j, is, that. when be came 80 himself, the roll OF paper
was there before him, and what DO you THINK II prove"
to be?
The vii! = whispered several awe-siIicken voices.
Actually the will. which says, beyond all doubt l
give and beauesth to my nephew, Pyott Denmore, the
od family mansien with all its belongings; and a',ef a
few legacies to servants and dependents, the whole o,
her property, personal and real estate, gives to the salo
Pyo;t. So, YOU may prepare to change your quarters
as soon as possible. -.
The girls looked anything but unwilling, and 2 sort
of subdued horror pervaded the party. j.,
Now don't be such FOOLS said uncle AltnofPe' a.
% suppose tina. Miss Eleanor really appeared, IN pTop'"
personoe, to her dreaming nephew If ne believes H.
That i, no reason shy should; and it Is ray coP'n'on
that some old family servant has managed to discover
.he will. and iuves. i. with this little ali OF mystery. l
shall make diligent inquiries in the village, ana 1 nave
no doubt tha; It will turn cut just so-dont you agree
with me, Becky"
No, sir " I replied ~sbrupsly, without moment
reflection. -. A..
What exclaimed my uncle, have the girls then
infected YOU with their ridiculous fears! Where IS all
your boasted courage" =,
pretended to 6e absorbed in a book; but could
see that mJ cicaE neS0e" 1a~0
through hi. spectacles. $500
wen, papa said my cousin Celestine, are we not to
obtain a sight of this hero and ~ghost-seer before We
7acase bis establishment"
sIf nothing happens TO prevent, replied my onc's'
we shall be favored with bis company tomorrow.
Tomorrow %eveding" Such a state Of excitement
All the next day my Ave cousins were discussing the
resnecsiye merits of various huea dresses and one mign.
have supposed, from their conversation, tnat' ihs'eS' u u
spoiled beauties, they were una.srac'lTe gisis VINO "a'
never had g beau 10 their lives. J..
H;uv. who was but sixteen, was gravely advised oy
ber eldsr sisters to be sweet simplicity in white muslin
and 8 sash tied behind to which that damsel re'oEteo
by declaring that l ought to present myself BEFORE M
Denmore dressed as Miss Eleanor Pyots.
This took place at the breakfast table ~
.Whyr asked my uncle, sharply, does becsy pear
a. c,ose q resemblance TO Miss Eleanor when dressed IN
her clothes
so they choose to imagine vas my reply:
Then thew have no means Of proving their snppoa
sion?
mot the slightest said ], as unconcernediy as posi-
BE. ,o,l
Uncle Althorpe gave me another penetrating looS'
and then departed for the dry.
In the evening came MIR. Denmore, and one glance
satisfied me. had seen that face before.
NV beautiful cousins were presented to him 10 sue,
ce,.;on. and I brought up the rear. | saw his look o.
admiration, as his eyes turned from one loveiy lace ~
another; but when they fell upon me, he started WIS.,
hjv. and / fremOlS1 50 LHat 1 S~""USS
Uncle Al,horpe was watching US and as he za'd,
INV n;ece. M;ss Eutyick, Mr.. Denmore bowed low, and
His voice had q false.ing tone Of tenderness tina. kne"
vaa called forth by thoughts of the departed. II was
decidedly uncomfortable, shis looking 80 much like some
body else and as soon as l could politely 90 SO, ie''
Mr.. Denmore's neighborhocd, and watched mn from q
distance.
~ was 2 foe-looking man; not handsome enough tc
be distinguished for his beauty as far as mere features
were concerned, but he had a good look, and ms 1acs
wore an expression Of mingled resolution and weetness
which I had always admired and seldom seen. ne IN
.erested me and at the END OF the evening" l - 49,,
oonv;ncsd that he deserved the term gentleman IN Its
wide It sense. A thoroughly polished gentleman, IN
ohs:rusiye. vet attentive, one who had acquired an entlre
s,rcatfulness Of self, was a character | had very rarely
met with; l had rather q contempt tor men IN genera
and | studied Mr.. Denraore as . pleaaant discovery
When he left US, his eyes again rested on me Will
.bat tender, yet melancholy expression ana ratne'
,;onod that had made Q sort Of esoa pe-valve fo
thoughts that we're busy with another, l a"s'ene" u
s.airs. m.
Nv little cousin Hilly was l~aagbingly boastins OF Mr.
Denmore's attentions.
Talk Of words indeed = exclaimed EMMA as l en-
,area. words arc nothing believe in looks, and mere
comes the magnet for Mr.. Denmore's eyes. III tell YOU
uhot + il. Becky she continued, Il don't like 1t at al
for when he babe ne good night, he looked at you
/: is rot fair ~
sWhat g pity it u.s. I said, rather bitterly, that yor
don't all look like Miss EleanOr fyot!
At this outbreak, Hilly tenderly embraced me, ape
,hey all declared their unboundsd affection; but l tel
oroyoked With the world as general, and went mood'''
70 bed. ..,c
Mr.. Deumors kindly insisted that my uacie shouie
occupy the mansion during the full time for which hi
bud engaged it; and we were, therefore, just as com
Portable as before, With the addition Of a very agreeaD'
visitor. -..
He had a habit of staring at me that was by no mean
pleasant, but as his conversation was most ireqoenN.
addressed to nv little cousin Hilly, l could not conssrn'
this into anything catering.
He often asked questions, too, that struck me after
ward as being very peculiar. One night, after gam!
at me for a time, he inquired if l ever walked IN IN:
sleep and on my replying with an aston.sn M peg"s'ee
q little out Of bis mind, and avoided him as much a
possible. ..
But one evening, just at sunset. as l STOOD oenea.'
Il. laa.aoa .r;ndom .mh;ther | had q habit OF stray