Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-15
MIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER Is, 1859.

dressed Mary with kind offender melancholy;
Mrs. Wigley was constrained and rather fret
full, and we Others falling into their mood, the
breakfast was dull and brief meal. Then
with the unconscious ceremony that one uses
when III at ease, Mr.. Williams invited US into
the library, and opening drawer, took out
numerous punches Of keys.
"'I.adies,' he said, you have done me the
honor of visiting me with the Intentional
least on my part-of having such alterations
made in my house and establishment as may
seem desirable TO you. These keys will open
every lock in the house, and you will oblige
me by dcvoting this day to making such in
spcction as you please. There IL no key you
may not use, and no papers which you, Mary
may Ut read; but you will make discoveries
that will surprise you and perhaps influence
you against me. IShall leave home for the day
to give you nm opportunity for an investiga-
ton, but | shall most impatiently wait your
decision OH my return
ale was gone before any Of us could an
swcr, and we were left gazing at one anotner
in profound aStOniShIncnt The atmosphere
cning to a dense fog. and we were half afraid
to gropc to the light that was offered to u.s.
Mary positively refused to avail herself Of Mr..
Williams absence.
"'Ict us do nothing, she said, and leave it
to him to explain himself when he comes
home. 1t is so noble and honorable in him to
act 50, that could not bear to abuse his gem
crosity.'
"l'ut an intense curiosity was devouTing
Mrs. -Migiry and mr.; and human nature could
not endure such disappointment.
- 1T is your duty to yourself, my child,
said the mother, to take every justitinblc ways
for learning Mr.. Williams character aud cir
cumsances. lie has put the means in your
power, and it is unjust tO your own common
sense and mine, not to use them
my dear Mary" urged. "you should re-
fleet that little more than month since none
Of US knew this gentleman and il is evidently
bis wish that you should discover for yourself
some secret, and spare him the pain Of IA yer!
bal explanation"
"'Do as you please, replied Mary, weeping.
but let me, ut least, trust to his honor aud at
fection. There can be nothing to conceal where
there is such open Grankncss.'
"'Wc certainly shall do nothing against
your wish, said Mrs. Wiglcy, GROSSLY, but I
must say you are very foolish, Mary, and you
quite forget you have no father to act for YOU
in these affairs. II will be "a very long, tire.
some day with nothing in the world to do
You are too ScrupulOuS or sentimental
"'Oh, mother, Mary answered, 4 know
you ought to be allowed to do what your judg-
lnent dictates; so pray take the keys and use
them on my account; only do not ask me to
join you.
Mrs. Wiglcy and rose with alacrity, and
proceeded to get the aid Of the housckecpcr !;
how We tried keys and wearicd over refractory
locks; how VIC turned over drawers and long
unopened boxes which were filled with dresses
and articles Of feminine adornment; how we
ransackcd the china closets and plate chests,
ind rummagcd through the stores Of linen !;
how we went back to the library from time to
time to report progress. All the fatigues, and
labor and excitement Of that morning can
not describe to you. At luncheon, refreshed
and strengthened, my spirits rose to my cir.
cumStanccS.
"This is quite Blue Beard affair, Mary,
remarked, to my languid friend -Mr.-Wil.
ams has always had something Of suspicious
and ferocious aspect. shall not be surprised
il we come upon closet Of skeletons, Ur 10.
dies Of deceased wives preserved in large bot
ties Of spirits Of winc.'
"'IIorrible,' she interrupted: you forget,
too, that he has left US all his keys, and not
forbidden us the use of any,
"'Iherc is something TO be revealed, how
ever, said her mother. lie has paid his ad-
dresses to you under an assumed name, and
that has suspicious look
"'Are you sure Of it, mother?' exclaimed
Mary, her face coloring with excitement How
did you fnd it out!'
Mrs. Wiglcy then recountcd to us the dis.
covcry Of the preceding day, which she had
intended to keep secret till she heard from my
husband; instead OF the weeping and hystcr-
les expected, Mary displayed great energy of
character.
"'Nay, then, mother she cried, it is time
for me " open my eyes; Twill work with you
now
$50 the search Recommended with ardor :;
it was no longer in lincn.chcstS and china. clos.
cts. We ritled desks and cabinets, and curl.
ously constructed drawers, of their contents,
and poured bundles upon bundles Of letters
and papers into Mary's lap; we found banking
accounts and chcque. books, and other indica-
tionS Of wealth; deeds and wills, and rolls of
yellow parchment tied up with red tape but
still nothing to satisfy our curiosity. Our Ia
Dor continued unntermitting, for the evening
was drawing on, aud we began to regret the
wasted minutes Of the morning. The mys-
terry, like an ignuS fatuuS, appeared TO fly be.
fore us.
At last all seemed to have been passed
under our scrutiny, and nothing was discov-
cred. Then Mrs. Wigley and left Mary to
replace the documents strewm about the library
and proceeded once again on our explorations,
with the housekeeper for pioneer.
"In few minutes we stood before q mys-
tcrious.looking little door in Mr.. Gordon's
drcsSingr0om.
"I have never seen that opcn,' said the
housckccpcr; it is two years since was en-
gagged by Mr.. Gordon to ofiiciatc as the super
ntcndent of his household, but no one has
ever passed through that door except himself.
| do not think you will find any key for it.
ladies'
1--WE have found Blue Boards closet" I
cried, "and there is no key for it; come, come,
We must not waste moment"
EVERY nerve l had Quivcred with impa-
tience Ghile Mary slowly ascended the stairs.
How slow and sluggish oil the movements
were! But i'll time she stood with US before
the low, narrow door, and with hands tremb-
ling from eagerncSs, she shook it till the han
die ratified nOiSy, but yielded nothing to her
grasp.
"'IIere, then, she said, turning and facing
us with ghastly smile, here is tho secret We
seek
AT this moment We heard the loud ringing
Of bell, aud the sound Of q man's step and
voice in the entrance hall -
"Blue Beard is como back I" cried, with
u vague feeling Of apprehension, mingled vith
keen sense Of the Absnrdity Of our position.