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

returned At night; and always on his appearance, he
Vas besieoed BY . host Of questions respecting the case
Of Pyots henmore. The usual reply was that it was
standing still, as everything in law always is, but on the
evening succeeding my promenade, he made his appear
ance with a countenance that was q perfect series Of ex-
clamation points.
what Is it, papa?' was demanded, in Eve different
keys; but an unaccountable trembling seized me and l
remained silent.
The strangest story I ever listened tot said my
uncle, at length, in a solemn manner, i cannot posi-
bly, account for it.
.Why?' exclaimed the volatile Emma, has old Miss
Pyott appeared to her nephew, and told him, in .
sepulchral voice, where to find her will?'
Something very like it, was the reply, in . tone
that drew Eve eager faces closely around him.
'Denmore's story continued my uncle, began with
an apology. It seems that the walled up room is not
walled up at all, but only boarded, and to one acquaint-
ed With the locality, it is very easy to effect an entrance,
unperceived, from the outside. Knowing, he says, that
It would not interfere with the arrangements OF the am
lily, 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 devatiug means to prove his
lawful claim to the beloved house.
s Last night, he discovered in an ancient secretary,
some old letters written by his mother to his aunt before
be was born and losing all thoughts Of the present. ne
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 3 roll of paper. But at the sound OF the
exclamation which he could not suppress, sheimmediateiy
started. aud throwing the paper towards him, vanlsnea
from his sight.
He lost his consciousness for 8 time and when ne
recovered. he found himself lying on the hoor where lie
must lave fallen. Although a man Of great strength Of
mnd, it was impossible to persuade him that he dld NOT
really see his aunt Eleanor; and the strangest part OF
it is. that. when be came to himself, the roll OF paper
was there before him, and what do you think 1t proved
to be?
THE will y whispered several awe-stricken voices.
Actually the will! which says, beyond all doubt, . l
rive and beoueath to my nephew, Pyott Denmore, the
old family mansion with all its belongings; and after a
few lceacies to servants and dependents, the whole o,
her property, personal and real estate, gives to fhe sa'o
Pyott. So, you may prepare to change your quarters
a. soon as possible. - -
The girls looked anything but unwilling, and a sort
Of subdued horror pervaded the party,
Now don't be such FOOLS said uncle Althorpe, "a
70 suppose that Miss Eleanor really'appeared, in p'ep'."
oersonoe, to her dreaming nephew II ne oeiAeves H.
that is no reason Why should; and 1t IS my cP'u'ou
that some old family servant has managed to discover
the will. and invest it with this little air OF mystery. /
shall make diligent inquiries in the village, and l nave
no doubt that It will turn out just so-dont you agree
Nc. sir! I replied abruptly, without a moments
reflection. A..
what = exclaimed my uncle, have the girls then
infected you with their ridiculous fears! Where IS al
your boasted courage? =,
pretended to be absorbed IN a BOOK; out l cou,'
see that nv clear headed uncle was observing me closely
through his spectacles.
.Wel. papa said my cousin Celestine, are we not 70
obtain q sight of this hero and ghost-seer before we
yacate his establishment"
sIf nothing happens to prevent replied my onc'e'
I'VE shall be favored with his company tomorrow. +,
Tomorrow eveding! Such a state Of excitement
All the next day my FIVE cousins were discussing 'ne
respective merits Of various hued dresses ana one u1sas :
have supposed, from their conversation, that, lnsteao o,
sno;led beauties, they were unatsractlve girls who haa
never had Q beau in their lives. l..
H;lly. who was but sixteen, was gravely advised oS
her elder sisters to be sweet simplicity in white musl'n
and a sash tied behind; to which that damssl re1o1 yea
by declsring that l ought to present myself before WI
Denmore dressed as Miss Eleanor Pyott.
This took place at the breakfast table.
.WbyY' asked my uncle, sharply, does Becky bear
ao .,o.e resemblance to Miss Eleanor when dressed IN
her clothes :,
so they choose to imagine vas my reply: ..nno.;
Then they have no means OF proving 'ne'f s'pp'''
.ion .o,.;
mot the slightest said ], as unconeerned'y as posi-
Uncle Althorpe gave me another penetrating LOOK
and then departed for the dry:
In the evening came Mr.. Denmore, aud one si&"'e
HatlS0eO me. / Sccu SuoV O~A~
nv beautiful cousins were presented to him IN sue.
session, and l brought up the rear. l saw his LOOK o.
admiration. as his eyes turned from one lovely face 10
another: but when they fell upon me, he started V's''
bly. and l ,rembled SO that | could scarcely stand.
Uncle Althorpe was watching us and a. ne za'd,
NV niece, Miss Entwick, Mr.. Denmore bowed low, and
his voice had . faltering tone OF tenderness t1a' ! Ane"
was called forth by thoughts of the departed: It was
decidedly uncomfortable, this looking 80 much like some
BODY else and as soon as l could politely 40 so, l ie''
M. Denmore's neighborhood, and watched him from a
distance. e. =.
He was a fnelooking man; not handsome enough to
be distinguished for his beauty as far as mere features
u.-e concerned. but he had a good look, and his face
wore an expression Of mingled resolution and weetness'
vb;ch I had always admired and seldom seen. he m
.erested me and at the end OF the evening" was 'u.y
convinced that he deserved the term gentleman IN Its
widest sense. A thoroughly polished gentleman I'm.
oh.trus;ve. vet attentive, one who had acquired an entire
s,rsatfnlness Of self. was a character l had very rarely
met with; l had rather a contempt tor men IN genera
and / studied Mr.. Denmore as a pleasant discovery
When be left us, his eyes again rested on me with
that tender, yet melancholy expression; ana ratne'
o;oued that I had made q sort Of esc'pe-valve fo'
thoughts that we're busy With another ! a's'eneo oE
stairs. NJ
Nv little cousin lilly was ~laughingly boasting OF Mr.
Denmore's attentions.
Tall Of words indeed = exclaimed Emma, as | en-
tered. words arc nothing-I believe in looks, and here
comes the magnet for Mr.. Denmore's eyes: In tell you
What it is, Becky she continued, Il don't like 1t at all
for when he babe me good night, he looked at you
It is not fair
what a pity it u.s. I said, rather bitterly, that you
don't all look like Miss Eleanor Pyott!'
At this outbreak, lilly tenderly embraced me, and
H.. III declared their unbounded affection but | fell
oroyoked with the world as general, and went moodil,
to bed. ~, ..,1
Mr.. Denmore kindly insisted that my uncle should
Occupy the mansion during the full time for which ne
bad engaged it; and we were, therefore, JUST a. com
Portable Is before, With the addition OF a very ae'ee'D''
visitor. y nib -
He had a habit of staring at me that was by no mean'
pleasant, but as his conversation was most Ireqoenn,
addressed to my little cousin lilly, could not c0ns'Fo'
this into anything catering.
He often asked questions, too, that struck me are.
ward a. being very peculiar. One night, after gaz'ni
At ne for q time, be inquired if 1 ever Talied in n!