Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-14

figure slowly gliding through the fr-grove
which belted a portion Of the park. Was
it fancy did his eyes deceive him ? or did
be. indeed, see the form of Mary? No; it
could not be. The form must be that of
some belated vil1ager returning to South
Zeal; for it was but early yet, and the bus
tie of the bayfield,. and Che subsequent ner-
ry-making Of the laborers. Kept many from
their homes beyond the usual hour. Be
fore, however, Trevanion could come to any
definite conclusion on the subject, the fig
ure-if it we're not a mere phantom of the
imagination-had disappeared and fancy
ing that the wild excitement of his spirits
had deceived him, he turned from the win
dew, and threw himself on his couch
CHAPTER XI.
For the first two or three days after his
sons return, the poor Baronct, who had DO
resources Of any sort to fly to by way of
refuge from grief, kept him constantly by
his side, and was SO pleased with his un.
murmuring submission to his frequent cap
rices, that John bid fair in time to supply
the vocuuns which the death of Edward had
left in his affections So close, in fact, was
his attendance on his father, that it was on
ly when the latter took his wonted nap after
dinner, that the young man was enabled to
steal away on a solitary stroll, or to the
cottage of Mr.. Mordaunt,, from whom he
CLEANED by degrees all the particulars of
Mary's death. Her end was a sad one -
yet, though not more than two months had
elapsed since the catastrophe, her father
seemed-not little to Johns astonish-
ment- to have completely recovered the
shock, though his pride was evidently graft
fed by the way in which Trevanion took it
to heart, and the deep-rooted sincerity of his
attachment.
A whole week had now elapsed since
j ohn's return, and the Baronet in whose
affections he made rapid advances. became
gradually more reconciled to his lot The
society Of the clergyman Of South Zeal
greatly contributed to bring about this de
sirable result for whenever he saw his pa
iron disposed to a relapse, he was always
ready to divert his thoughts by telling the
village gossip, or calling upon John for a
recital of his adventure with the pirates,
which, now that Sir Hugh was able to lend
a more attentive ear to them, raised his adj
venturous boy full 2 hundred rsr cent inhis
esteem and admiration 4.
John was returning home late one even
ing from the village, having left the priest
to attend his father during his absence, when
attracted by the serene beauty Of the hour,
he halted, and seated himself on the green
mound to which | have before alluded -
Not sound was to be heard about him. .ex-
ccpt the creaking Of a hay-cart along the
road the drowsy hum Of the .cockchafer,
or the cav cav OF the rocks, who, having
finished their last meal, were just bidding
each other hoarse goodnight. While
John sat watching the deer bounding noise
lessly past him, his thoughts the while ira.
Yelling back to the past, he SAVIOR ina
gined ne saw-the same form which he had
beheld but few nights before, gliding
through the same sad fir grove. Could he
be mistaken second time Impossible. It
vast must be-Mary Mordaunt In
those days the belief in spirits was univer-
sal, and more especially was it held. that
those who had come to an untimelv end
and had not been inferred in consecrated
ground, were doomed to walk the earth 49,
Trevanion was not superior to the supersti-
ton, Of his age, and while he stood with his
eyes rivetted on the form which was fast
blending with the shades of evening. his
whole frame trembled with agitation, At
length, manning himself with an effort. he
made an abrupt dart in that direction:w where
he had behold it. But it had vanished on
which hurrying through the grove. and
aloud in the vain hope of receiving
some reply, he few with the speed of one
frenzied to the village, and did not once
bait till he found himself at MIR. Mordaunt's
cottage.
IL have seen herr' he exclaimed, to the
old gentleman, who was seated reading by
the window
''Seen her Seen whom ~
"Mary 2"
Impossible"
''Say not SO, sir as live, I saw her.
Once l might be deceived, but not twice. !"
While he spoke, Mr. Mordaunt's agitation
became nearly as great as his own. "Can
this be possible 2" be said in an under-tone,
'.but no, it cannot be-" then ADDRESSING
himself to John, he added, ''you are mis-
taken, young man -
! "'Tis no mistake, Sir" replied Trevan-
ion Il repeat, these eyes have seen the
dead. The look the tofhl-nny, the very
step was hers ! You darkly limited to me
your suspicion that in despair, or from
some other cause, she had become what
dare not name and the consciousness Of
this haunts her even beyond the grave ~
! Twas to me she came, and land I alone
am Summoned to procure rest for her
troubled spirit How-how-shal! I act ?
Hah," he added abruptly, after minutes
reflection, "the witch-the WITCH will
to the wood this very night. IT'S said she
has power over the phantoms of another
world from her then I shall learn what
course to persue. Speak not, sir; am
resolved, and will seek her this very hour"
"Madman y rejoined Mr.. Mordaunt, sta
tioning himsels before the door, s.you rush
on your destruction. The wise woman is
no longer what she was, when you last heard
talk Of her. None now cross her threshold
but at the peril Of both body and soul. The
very law itself fears to exercise control over
her. Beware, john beware, lest she curse
Won ~