The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-18

them by hands long since mouldered into dust;
while they remained = q evidence OF the rsused
tastes and luxurious habits Of the broken-hearted
old man who had borne them from bis English
home 70 embellish the one he created for himself
in the New World.
After examining every nook, and finding nothing
that seemed Suspicious, no secret outlet leading 70
subte rranean depths which might conceal deadly
foe, the young man slowly turned his steps toward
Clenfsll with bis mind filed with stirring fanoies,
As he descended the pathway leading to the in.
secure bridge. he found his way obstructed by an
old woman who had seated herself upon the mar.
row causeway and completely filed it up. It was
evident to Arden that she had placed herself there
for the purpose Of ntercepting him, and he paused
70 survey her with sort Of wonder at her extreme
honeliness. She was wrinkled, toothless aud alto.
geiher repulsive; yet there was CLEAN OF mali
cious intelligence In her deep set eyes which show
ed that old and worn as che seemed, the mind with
in still retained all the vital power it had ever pos
sessed Her dress was of deep blue calico, and
over her gray locks strip of crimson merino was
thrown contrasting strangely with the sRvery hair
aud withered face IT shaded.
What o capital figure for one Of Macbeth's
witches" was the thought that passed through Ar.
dens mind, but it was speedily put to fight ny the
shrill, cracked voice of the woman, saying
"Are you the conceited youngster who expects
20 be allowed to sleep in peace, up at the cot yon
der? Have you not been warned OF the evil that
always follows those who abide under that roof
Young man, don't think that you know better than
any one else. ard persist in this mad scheme of
yours, for tell you that if you do you will repent
it to the last hour Of your life. i am wise w0.
man, the billiards call me; can read the future,
and came here to warn you-to turn you from
this fatal path, for If you persist in walking on 1t,
fatal it shall surely be to your whole future ife'
These words we're uttered with volubilty that
offer it, but he wished to hear all she had placed
herself in lis path to say, and judge for himself of
NJ worth He quietly replied
Il appreciate your Kindness, good woman, in
frnrn canca Of uQc
,n.ination; but unless you can give me some
gooc reason why should not become the occupant
of the Lennox cottage, must still persist In my
original intention. am sceptical as to your power
been part of my education teaches me that to God
alone is known the course Of events, and their is
sue Pray arise, and let me pass-l am on my way
now to the village to make my final arrangements
to take possession of the ruin"
mol came here to stop you, and you may jest
stand there till I'm ready to move and let you over.
You look like sensible kind of man enough, and
would like to know what has put it in your head to
risk your life in that old tumble down place you-
der, when there il good tavern in Glenfall kept
BY such kin people as Higgins and his wife"
perhaps shall not choose TO explain my rea-
sons to you, as can see no right that you have to
demand them. Will you move, or shall cross the
stream on the rocks belOw?"
That would be about as venturesome as this
other folly" coolly replied the woman; for the
the path of life, and you'd be likely to knock out
the few brains nature gave you on some of those
jagged points, which have run red with blood be-
fore to-day Are you tired of life, young man. that
you wish risk it for nothing but the qualification
Of whim ~
=" Tired Of life no indeed; mine is full Of hope
for the future. and enjoyment ia tue present. Look
at my elastic frame my healthy cheek, and hearken
to my cheerful voice. Do any. of these bear wit
ness to We ariness of that great boon--life?"
you've sound body, tenanted by very un-
sound mind, then" retorted the crone or you
nj nf rectin ina
haunted by the fell avengers OF bio I'd. Young man,
you may not believe in the supernatural; but bid
you beware OF again entering the Lennox cottage,
you wish to take away from this valley the light
heart and unarnished name with which you en-
tered it,
Tush, old woman! Seek some more credulous
person on whom you may impose by this pretence
of second sight. / give ne heed to warnings Of
such nature. Let me pass! l have heard
enough"'
" You won't believe me, them" she said, with o
the path Of danger, though you are warned 81 the
fatal consequences. Now listen to me, and if you
can, give faith TO my parting words. If you per
sist in occupying the haunted house, you will either
Fl ON its walls miserable sorrow, which will cling
to you to the last hour of your life You will
mockingly ask me how / know this i cannot tell;
he peeps IN GeHs they you
old Betty Baine always foretells that which comes
to pass: Now take or refuse the warning, as you
may think best"
AS she finished speaking she arose slowly
moved to one side, and made way for Arden to
pass. He paused moment before doing so, and
dsdsnfuly said
"h seems very singular to me that such efforts
are made to prevent me from following up this fan.
cy of mine. Who sent you to waylay me thus, and
proclaim ycnr evil prophecies"
" The spirit that is within me warned me to come
to You; by no mortal's command did come.
have been sent here by higher power than aught
of EARTH TO reveal to you the consequences Of your
folly il you persist in going to the cottage; but
human voice sent me on the green path where you
were TO be found"
Arden laughed in scorn at this reply, and the
crone shook her finger menacingly toward him as
she said:--
"'The fool aeeth not his own folly was said long
ego and 1t is true now when 1t first uttered
COL deliver you over to the mercy Of the evil spi
rts who rule your fate. When they have dealt
with y9q will look on you again. either in life OF
She hohbed away with the aid of a crutch, and
the young man went on his way, more obstinatey
determined than ever to follow out the plan which
seemed to arouse such opposition Reckless dar
ing was the leading trait III his character, and an
utter disbelief in the supernatural gave him more
vivid contempt for the warnings he had received
than they perhaps deserved. In spite of the re-
newed demonstrates of the tavern keeper and his
wife, Arden remained firm to lis purpose to pass
the coming night at the haunted house; and cot
bedstead, his artists chair and small table were
conveyed to the room with the bay window, togo
Their with lamp and his painting materials. Old
Jerry assisted Arden to arrange them, but no in.
ducement could lie offered him to remain after the
sun had sunk the western hills The cheerful
light Of that luminary seemed to the beggar tacit
defiance Of the malice Of the house ends who avail.
| ed themselves Of night and darkness to work out
| their evil purposes; and, with many misgivings,
Jerry left the courageous stranger alone.
Arden walked about the yard until the stars were
slttering in myriads in the coudless azure of the
heavens, and thought that night had never been so
| lovely before. He was reluctant to re-erter tho
house, lough he felt no dread of it's unearthly in
mates-and he believed be had taken every pre-.
caution against the intrusion Of more substantial
ones, by placing strong fasteni1gs the door lead
| ing from the room he intended to occupy.
at length he remembered that he must write to
his cousin that night that his letter might be sent
on the morrow; for, in that secluded place, the
mail was only sent out twice in the course Of the