Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-10-13
**0dNala Gligbtbeart's' Gl Original Voubelat&*
WRITTEN FOR THE YoRKv1LLH ENQUIRER.
WHO IS THE HEIR ?"
THE DARK MYSTERY OF THE DESERTED HOUSE.
BY WILLIE LIGHTHEART,
CHILDREN
SUM-" YOUNG HEARTS" &C., &C.

suppose thas it is said Dulson; but have al.
ways heard that Mr.. Edward D'Vilton was sup
posed to be dead p.
"A very natural supposition, under the circum-
stances said D'Vilton but, nevertheless, that
individual has the honor of addressing you
Indeed! = said Dulson in a tone Of surprise
This accounts for the presence of Milton aud Ju-
Illus here-!really, heartily welcome you back to
England
How long have you been living in hometown p
asked D'Vilton.
about eight years. replied Dulson. ..
You have no doubt heard of the mysterious
disappearance Of Charlotte D'Vilton from this
house, and its subsequent desertion by myself
Yes, sir ; said Dulson. 4 think, that among
the very first things told me, after my arrival in
hometown, was the history of, what the people
called, the deserted house, b.
Did you hear nothing of babe being found
near St. Mary's church, asked D'Vilton.
Yes, sir. The boy, when I saw him at Mr..
Millions house, was FIVE years oil and recol-
lect seeing the papers and money which were said
! to have been found in the basket
That was eight years ago p asked D'Vilton.
Yes, SIR
And the boy was five years old, then p
! 'Exactly,' said Dulson.
Making julius just stthirteen-the exact number
| of years that have been away from England,
said D'Vilton. DO you know anything Of this
Claude Mitons'
4 have never been personally acquainted with
him. said Duson but I have heard him spoken
of as kind, benevolent, and worthy gentleman.
There is not man in hometown who does not re-
spect him-not child, that does not revere and
love him.
you surprise me, sir, said D'Vilton 4 had
formed quite different opinion Of the gentleman.
You are an old man, friend Dulson, and may pos
| sibly be able to keep secret what am about to
communicate in reference to Claude Milton, whom
strongly suspect of villiany.
Indeed SIR said Dulson, in much surprise 4
can never believe such of Mr.. Miltonn
Listen to me, Dulson: have been away from
| England for thirteen years. My wife and servants
| are all gone-my house robbed Of much Of its
valusbles-Milton has the key to this house
Milton imprisoned me here for many hours--Mil-
ton asserts that he found and raised my boy
Milton has been deliberately charged with the
murder Of my unfortunate wife
Heavens! exclaimed Dulscn, sscho makes the
charge'
Il do not know. Since I have been under this
roof have heard the terrible charge from some
unknown being, and the voice did not seem alto
| gether strange to my ear.
| Dulson shuddered, and looked uneasily around
the room, as he said: 4 have listened to strange
tales about this old house. sir; and, if I under
stand you Alright, your language seems to confirm
the marvellous reports which I have heard rela-
tive to the existence of some invisible being be-
| meath this roof
That there .aOas such being here the first night
of my stay in this house, cannot doubt for mo-
! ment. Why, sir, not only were footsteps distinct
tly heard upon the stairs, and the windows closed
after had opened them, but the bell in the tow
er tolled several minutes, and the hand of some
Invisible being was laid heavily upon my should
| err
Wonderful p exclaimed Dulson, looking eau
tiously over his shoulder, and moving his chair
nearer to the window.
Have you any very particular business to tran
sact this morning? asked D'Vilton.
None, SIR replied Dulson.
Then, with your permission, will inform you
upon what grounds base my suspicious of Mil
ton,' said D'Vilton.
i am all ears please proceed said Dulson.
'On my arrival at Liverpool some weeks ago.
said Dulson, 4 had but just stepped upon the
| peir when gentleman accosted me, and desired
to know my name; but not feeling disposed to
crafty what considered mere mpertinent curl
osity, passed him by in silence and stepped into
q cab. He no sooner saw me get seated than he
also stepped in. He stopped at the same inn; sat
beside me at the table; and literally haunted me
wherever I went
Very strange!' remarked Dulson.
Determined to get rid of his presence contin-
ued D'Viton, Il quietly set out for London, at
midnight, by private conveyance. Arriving at Lon
don, took up my quarters in the Kings Arms
Inn, where, hattered myself had become al
together rid of my evil spirit. Judge of my sur
prise, when after weeks stay in London, the
identical man walked into my private room and
seated himself upon the foot of the bed without
even the formality of salutation. Again he
pressed me to tell him my name again he dogged
my steps everywhere
WAS the individual Mr.. Milton . asked Dulson.
The same, replied D'Vilton.
well, SIR said Dulson, perhaps he recognized
in you likeness to your son.
Perhaps so ;-let me proceed with my story
60 on, SIR said Dulson.
"A few days after Milton's arrival, received
this strange communication from Monctown.'-
Here D'Vilton handed scrap of letter paper to
Duson.
4 have left my spectacles at home,' said Dull
son, handing back the note to D'Viton, and re-
questing him to read it.
The paper reads thus said D'Vilton
EDWARD DvnroN-Hasten back to the ivycovered
walls of your former home Ihave something to tethee of
Thy to speak unto thee Of the sad fate Of Char
the old D'Vion Hall. OLD LOO
Remarkable - exclaimed Dulson
Il could not imagine continued D'Vilton, who
it was that possessed knowledge of my arrival
in London a knowledge of my poor wifes fate,
or of my sons existance. determined, however,
to act in compliance with the request of the un-
known writer and that very morning, engaged
q seat in the stage for Maysville. What was my
astonishment, when I stepp d in the stage, to
find Milton already seated within. We travelled
together the whole day without the Interchange
of q single remark and, at nightfall, arrived at
the Growing Cock Inn, at Maysville. Immediate
ly upon our entrance, drunken fellow recogniz-
ed Milton, and made use of no very compliment
tary remarks concerning him.
DVilton then related what had taken place IN
the Growing Cock Inn-the journey to the 'des-
erted house the next day-the strange conduct
of Milton in closing the door upon him, and his
adventures in the mysterious old house.
sAstoundng!' exclaimed Dulson. And you
have not been able to discover from whom the
voice proceeded?'
Whoever, or whatever, the being was, it mis-
took me for Claude Milton, and asked me if 1
had come here to murder the boy as I had his
mother. Now, is it probable, that really good
man--as you say Milton is-wouid be likely to
have his name mentioned in an old deserted build
ding, and coupled with such words as vIlian, mon
ster and murdsrer9'
Perhaps old Loo, for reasons best known to
herself, may have made use of the remarks or
4 a i'll &c