The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-10-23
THE RUINED CASTLE.

"W elcOme TO your nome! IL Is rulneu
one, but all have. Once l hoped better
things, darling"
The speaker was the young earl of Tan
kerville. He stood, with his newly-wed-
ded bride, on a broad, but decayed terrace,
overlooking wide sweep of hillside and
river. It was night, but the moon was
shining, silvering all things with its mag
ical radiance. Behind him was a long,
low picturesque edfce, half castle, half
manor-house, diapidated and in ruin.
81 would be happy anywhere, dearest
was the fond answer, seven in the poorest
cottage, were you with me-" 'f.I.W
at is but little more than a cottager's
fare have to offer YOU" said the young
husband, sadly. "Yet, when Godfrey
Tankerville, FIVE hundred years ago, built
this castle, he held hundred manors.
When his descendant, Sir Godfrey, leaped
his horse from yonder parapet, and was
dashed to pieces, sooner than to surrender
to the Yorkists, who had stormed the walls,
the possessions of the family were even
greater. But now, this ruined castle, and
few barren acres, represent our entire
wealth. All, Gwendoline, had known
that was to be disinherited, would never
have asked you to be mine"
''IIushl not word of that" replied the
bride, laying her hand lightly on his lips,
''you would have done me a great wrong.
Besides you were not to blame. Your
cousin, after years of enlargement, had
acknowledged you as heir of his estates,
and the title he could not keep from you.
He afterward changed his mind, that was
ALL"
'Yet," answered the young earl, 81 am
sure there was a will in my fuvor. The
kav "a Ito -
the home of our race, and / realize at last
that have no right to disinherit you, SIM
ply because l hated your father. Years
ago, made will, leaving to my brother
in-law, Lord Dormer, all except this castle,
which is entailed on the title. But now
have executed later will, giving every
thing to you 1t was on this assurance,
darling, that / came to you and spoke.
Then the old earl died suddenly was found
in his library chair a corpse, had died, il
was supposed, while looking over his pa
pers. If the latter will was ever abstract
ed, it was at that time. Certain it is, II
was never found" ...4..,
81 have always thought it very strange
especially as no one was here, you say
who could have had any interest in making
away with the will" 30 yca,.A
son the contrary, the old butler, Will
liams, was my fast friend. He himself wa,
one of the witnesses to the will. . But see
there he comes, to summon us to dinner
An earl of Tankervlle is poor indeed wher
one aged follower is butler, footman, valet
steward, everything, and that on his mas
ter's wedding day
The young bride turned to take las
look at the landscape, before gong in
just at that moment raven croaked un
der the terrace-wall. The interruption
came so unexpectedly, the sound was 81
foreboding, that Lady Tankerville shranl
instinctively, and shuddered.
"You think it an omen Of evil" said he
husband, with concern. ''Let us rathe
look on il sas Z Welcome These raven
have been here from time immemorial
they are the last of our retainers; it is bu
their rude way of showing gladness."
The bride tried to smile,
81 was silly" she said, "and nervous
Yes! it is a good omen, for see, here b,
comes, soaring over the parapet, and will
white peace offering, | declare, in hi
beak, like the dove from the ark. VIVA
can II beY w N $50 ,e.i sac r.
As she spoke, the raven rose heavily owe
the terrace, Tapping his wings slowly, ant
lowered just above them.
''He does not fear us, at any rate" sal
the earl, sand that is n sign Of welcome
Stay, 1 will scare him till he drops his bur
den, and then we will zee what it is. / can
not make it out"
He uttered a quick, loud cry, as h
spoke, and the raven, with a tfrightenei
croak, let 90 his burden, and lumbcre,
away.
"Strange," cried the young noble. as h
picked up the parcel, which had fallen al
most at his feet, "this is a folded parch
ment. tits tied and sealed like some ial
portant law paper. Gracious heaven wha
do read? The superscription is, 'The las
iciH and tesfament Of Ralph earl of Tan
kerp,ne.' Why, my darling, this is tn
lost will, unless my eyes, in this moonligh
deceive me-"
True enough, it was the lost will, a
they soon convinced themselves, beyon
the possibility of doubt, when they cam
to examine 1t, deliberately, in the lighte
dining room, within doors. "Them's m
VERY letters" cried old Williams betwee
laughing and tears, II knows the big v
and the two U.s." Che pronounced ther
with a ~ "and that's JIM Jones sgnatoo
likewise; Lor bless me. what mrracul
A search, the next day, under the tel
race-wall, revealed a large cavity, nile
WIN various OlneT hItiCicoi uPPhi oht'y ~.
len by the raven, and hid there. 1T
most probable" said the young earl, 'ths
my poor old predecessor was examnin
this very will, with other papers, when h
was struck with death, and that the raver
carried off the the document and secrete
1t. have heard Of such curious freak
BEFORE"
Lord Dormer made no opposition to tn
surrender Of the estates. He was yer
wealthy, in his own right; and besides, h
saw the folly of contest.
at was lucky chance, my lord" sal
the old family lawyer, when he announce
this result, "that brought you to the oil
castle for your wedding tour. Otherwis
the win might never have been found, 10
the raven was plainly carrying it of I
some other secret receptacle, God know
~ "Is was not chance" reverently reptile
the young bride, who was present, "it wi
Providence. Whatever else is false, tn
is true-that God reigns, and reigns in a
things. Not sparrow falls to the grour
without his sanction"