The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-18
CHAPTER ".
TIE OLD CRoNE's WARNING.

TIE OLD CRoNE'S WARNING.
The young artist arose with his determination
unchanged. nights reflection had only strength
ened his purpose to solve the mystery of the
haunted house. He sat beneath the old trees and
partook Of his breakfast. wondering within himself
if he could ever give fair transcript of this lovely
valley, with its charming contrasts, its exquisite
blending of grandeur and beauty.
Again Mr.. Higgins aud his wife would have re-
newed the discussion of the previous evening, and
dissuaded him from attempting to visit the cottage;
but he gaiy refused to listen TO any further
STRANGE, snd at last left them to pursue his way up
the valley, carrying his portfolio under his arm.
BE paused many times in his walk to note the
picturesque turns in the brook which rushed with
rolled away, and the hills were sharply defined in
the morning air, their purple shadows contrasting
witt the brightness of the sparkling stream which
broke into foam at their base. He at length came
below the fall; this seemed scarcely safe to pass
but he ventured over. aud by stepping carefully
reached the other side in safety. Arden had
loitered SO long upon the road that tho sun was
shining brightly over the decayed roof Of Glenfal
cottage when lie entered the enclosure that sur
rounced it. The story he had heard gave this yard
terrible attraction to him. He trod slowly
through it, and endeavored, in Imagination, to fol-
low the path of the brethren who had clutched
each other in that fearful deathstrugglc, seeking
to picture the scene wildly before his mind, that
he might reproduce It with the power Of master.
There grew near the edge of the bluff gnarled
and knotty tree which looked az ii some clin hand
had twisted it out of shape in its infancy and
nature had been unable to restore its original grace
and beauty to her offspring. The rugged roots
grew above the surrounding soil in many places as
If they had been at some far distant period torn
from its protecting embrace; and it needed little
effort OF the Imagination to fix on this stunted tree
as the one which had sustained the elder brother
while he hurled the younger to destruction upon
the rocks below.
Arden sat down under its shade, and arranged all
the details OF the picture he intended to paint He
oAA .e.lA A.
proceeded to inspect the house. This he found in
better state Of preservation than he had been led
to expect; and he was surprised to find that efforts
had recently been made to prevent it from falling
portico had been carefully propped, and new
bolt was found inside Of the door. The last he
accounted for BY supposing that young Lindorf had
placed it there as protection against intrusion on
the night OF his nocturnal vigil, though from the
account of Withers, it had not answered the pur.
pose intended.
TIE door Enclosed without effort, and Arden en-
tered square hall from which apartments opened
on either hand. Neglect and damp had caused the
paper hangipgs to peel from the walls, leaving
only small fragments clingin, here and there, to
show that they had once represented the island Of
calypso, with its gorgeous tropical scenery, and
lovely Dymphs.
The rooms looked as If they had been recently
swept, and there was no accumulation of rubbish
such as Is usually found in deserted houses.
large apartment on the southern side had bay
window; from when the whole panorama Of the
fair valley was clearly visible, while the ceaseless
low OF the waters below arose as an anthem Of
melody to the ear. Even If the artist had wavered
IN bis resolve to occupy the house, one glance
remain and dare all the COLLINS could do, until he
had perpetuated the scene on Canvass
Opposite to this was room OF large size, octa-
son in shape, and lighted from above by glass
dome. The alternate panels in the walls had evil
IDENTIFY been occupied by cases for books and paint
jngs, A fen Of the latter, mudewed and yotting