The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-11-01
r IN THE HOUSE
IN TWO PAR rs.
PART II.--Ceaelwded.

sometimes old Ga Mary checked herself.
e'I beg your pardon-tche =
al was about TO name an old woman We
have taken into the house 10 help the house
ra.id but for some reason have not inc uired
she does not wish it to be known
"'Old Charletter eiacalated Mawry.
such is her name replied Mary, aston
ished at his astonishment.
"Mawry, who had sat down again, got up
with a face white ashes
III have a word 10 say to MT Annesiey,
ne said, aud took a hasty leave.
Charles was reading meaieinein the Angel
room. 49,,
"'Good Heavens, sir 3 exclaimed the little
doctor, bursting in, do you Kno" Waat W"
"Herrid visions of his Mary in typhus fever
in small. pox--a iunatic--fashed like light
ming across Caarless mind
"'W ha t-teadf p he gaspeo out.
"sNol Murder!'
"'Moil rhatp'
"eThe old bag TO whom the boys in the town
have given that title, for her strange associa-
tiou with every death that has occurred in this
unhappy house since 1t became your nncle's.
The very worst sus oicions cleave to her For
mercy's sake, Mr.. Annesiey. get rid OF this old
wretch before YOU are an hour olderp
Charles stood aghast. is Impossible
that
IL know not soAat is possible; but do it, sir
do it, said the eager apothecary; and Charles,
infected with his earnestness, promised COM
p!iance.
That night Charlotte was dismissed, this
her work were done
...Torchsd and took % was Charlotte's bene-
diction, looking back and shaking her finger as
she passed the door.
Let me pass quickly over these sad details,
The young wife was indeed doomed. Drocp
ing gradually like the preceding victims, she
slowly but certainly followed them 10 the
same bourne.
"Annesley would have left the house, but
nothing could induce Mary to consent. His
uncle would be vexed would think Them care
saf, haSi a no
home, Most OF all she earnestly desired, II die
she must, to breathe her last in The Angel
chamber, with those glorious eyes and pro-
fecting arms above her
"She had her wish; and, in few short
weeks, the fourth victim 10 the mystery OF
that house slept in the village churchyard.
The popular feeling against old Charlotte
had by this time attained such open expresslo
that il became absolutely necessary to lnyesu-
gate its grounds. She was accordingly gwen
into custody. Some examinations took place
hut the doc tor being compelled TO certify 10
case of natural deat n, and no direct inculpato-
~ evidence being adduced. the prisoner, on the
very day OF poor Mary's funeral, was restored
10 liberty, and Immediately disappeared.
at was now imagined that the house would
be finally closed. The next-door heighbor on
one side had already quilted; he on the other
had given notice. MIR. Archbold himself felt
his mind infected by the prevailing supersti-
tion and, moreover, seeing the cause OF mis-
understanding removed, was ready enough 10
give indulgence TO his returning kindness to-
wards his nephew, 10 whom he accordingly
wrote, desiring him 10 quit without delay the
scene of his bereavement, and resume the place
lie had formerly held in his uncle's home and
affection.
Charles refused.
"He considered that his uncle, in placing
them in 4 house under this notorious ban, had
been actuated by less disin teres ted motives
than he had imag ned and had been even in some
degree iustrumen tai in the fatal misfortune
that had betallen him. Besides he had duty
TO perform, to which it was his fixed determna-
ins, IN A4yn 70 IA IN
if needful, life itself He would find out the
mystery Of the haunted house. And no knight,
in quest OF the holy greal, ever started on the
doubtful way With more resolved purpose
than Charles when, returning from his Marys
funeral, he re-entered the desolate mansion.
"He was alone, absolutely alone; for poor
Hephzi bah, though attached 10 her master, and
pitying him with all her honest heart, had
evinced such unmistakable symptoms OF aver
sion 10 sleeping another night in the house,
that Charles, mistaken in purpose, judged it
best TO dismiss her at once to her friends. So
the door closed behind the sobbing Hephzibah,
and Charles was alone, absolutely alone.
For hours he sat N using by tie melancholy
fire, undisturbed by a single sound. Evening
at length approached, and still he sat,
though Memory had chained him hand and
foot to the place where he had passed so many
happy hours. Gradually, he got into a train
of recollection that conducted him through the
entire history of his lost love, from the first
chance meeting when he had stopped, lost
beuighted hunter, to inquire the road, and
Mary's azure eyes glittered in the starlight, as
ii they belonged TO it, while she stepped for
ward to his horses side, and raised them in
directing him He had arrived at the evening
when they had come, with their modest bag
gage and rus lie henchwoman TO the magnifi-
cent house. had examined its alarming glorIes
had dned merriiy, and were reclining in their
deep velvet chairs, their laughing faces re-
nectrd grotesqu ely in the polished stove, up 10
the moment when old Charlotte, like an evil
genus. appeared at the door.
"a that moment a sound struck Charless
ar n al hara
wilhiA the house. The door of the room in
winch he sat was wide open, and presently he
was aware Of slow soft step ascending the
STAIR.
TO say that Charles's heart did not acceler-
ate its usual pace by pulse or two, would be
TO deny feeling that might have SO far as
sailed the most collected. An idea that the
bold resolu ton he had formed was about TO be
met halfway, that the mysterious Horror OF
The House was actually approaching him in
incarnate shape, struck the listener wi tn an
appalling sense of being suddenly called upon
10 usal with what one cannot comprehend
Charles invoiuntarily griped the velvet arms
OF his chair and half rising, slowly turned
his face TO the door, where the step had halted
There stood old Chariottel
His fear melted into rage.
"'W retched old nag i-accursed murderess !
he exclaimed, forgetting for the moment his
own doubts of her guilt dare you
Charles Annesley,' said the old woman,
walking up 10 him, ii is you who should not
dare. warned you'll warned your mother
l warned Mrs. Callender-I warned every one
tyou, young and old, of the da ger hidden in
this fearful house. Yet l loved and served
them all when they would let me, and to do so
ran the same risk with them. For reward, you
have put the murderers mark on me. i am the
devils mate, Mol Murder, the old poisoning
witch. My life is nothingi they mightas well
have hanged me. hoped they would, for the
I-ork keeps justice for the innocent, and He
knows that never willingly harmed a living
creature. They were all touched and took
poor aears but not by rae. / know you are
come back 10 find out who killed your darling,
ana old Cnarlotte's come to help you.'
"'Youu
alike enough In some things said the old
woman steadily. you've no more pleas ure
in ilie-no more have /. You've one object
mines the same, only my reasons the best
The dead. But wear Cams black brand, and
that's an ugly mask TO die in; 4 won't, if /
can helpit'
Charles stood looking at her with an amaze.
ment he did not care TO hide some thing in the
Woman's altered manner impressed him ia vOr-
ably, despite himself. His thoughts held a
rapid council; If the bag were guilty and were
really prey 10 that fearful form Of mania
winch could alone account for such cruel
crimes, he had no fear for himself and might
even, by examiDation and ANALYSIS obtain
some clue 10 her alleged practices Ii She were
innocent, she night afford him important aid
solutely required. In fine, he acceded 10 her
proposal, aud directed her TO take up her resi-.
G1nce ia the house as before.
"A feeling he could not well define deter
lhiheo CHARLES TO sleep that night in the An
S-i'chamber. /. was there that his Mary had
"Apefienced the first mysterious visitation
there on his hosom hrsa had bar L., 49,,
sigh. 49, ee"ie
AS he lay down, though with little hone Of
resi-, he could not resist utterinp a f.ryaot
p4hysr that The terrible influence mig II reveal
,@ " PIN aiso--no matter with what peril
ats fearfai ssa,ap. ahat he might but analyz 10