, 1875-03-28
THE GOBLIN TOWER.

L
quis di Doltono to the young knight Castor d.
Castle. al Am glad you hare come for many
reasons- especially because love tha company
Of young and valiant soldier"
CASTOR bowed, and flush OF pleasure passed
across hs brow.
"Tho robbers about here ars very bold, just
now They attacked you, believe"
"Three Of the villains ventured to do 10, but
sent them away with more than they expected .''
4 steel ransom. Ha hal"
"It ia very strange that you ars not ahle to
discover their retreat."
"yery-ve1y strange. Ny men have sought
in every direction"
1.-THE country is favorable to Secrecy" said
Castor, looking round.
It spread far away around the castle. From
the height upon which Boltono stood, the
wide plain and the surrounding hills could ba
distinguished for = great distance Hills and
crags were near the castles gullies and paths
formed By torrents lay among them. A river
flowed through the plain, turbulent and noisy.
"Yes, it is good place for them," said tho
Marquis. in reply to Gaston's exclamation.
'4But yet wonder at their hArlihood."
t'They rob almost every frieud who comes to
visit me-, unless send my soldiers to guard
them" said Boltono, bitterly.
"This should be stopped. I wonder that they
do not show themselves somewhere"
"I have done ali thst man can do. Let us
forsake this subject for the present. See you ron
tower2"
'.Yes. It is older than tho rest Of your cas-
tie. is it not? have been much interested in
ut is very Old and il Of Roman construction.
We never uso it"
tNararl Wl,v mt 2H
%'TiA haunted"
Haunted? ?" CASTOR Tas surprised at the
seriousness OF the Marquis, aud out Of respect
to him he suppressed rising smile Of con-
tempt"
ayes. It has for many years gons BY the
nar;o Of The Goblin Tower"
'sWhy go ?"
"Racause there are sights to be seen there
and sounds to be heard which are not OF this
world. Shl1eks are hea1d at the dead Of night,
and lights CLEAN from the surrets. All the
pessant1y trembie and the hearts Of ali within
the castle quake for fear"
t'But have you never entered to see the
cAuee Of these thingsf''
"God forbid that should sock to know
aught, Of the doings Of the powers Of dark
"They may be done By hands Of man, noble
Marquis"
"Impossiblo! Who would dare 2"
"No great obstacle could prevent them il no
cne ever ventures there"
'Men have gone there and never returned.
In the life OF my grandfather there WAS 1e-
gend about it, aud saying that whenever the
castle was freed from the goblin within, there
would be no more robbers without"
"What! have the robbers always been here 7"
"All the ime thai the to1er Was haunted"
CASTOR WAS silent: and unused for time.
"I will tell the story" said tha Marquis; sit
Is not long. This tower was built 2s I havo
zaid, by the ancient Romans, aud has been in the
possession OF many + Baron. Once, about 200
years ago, our family lived in Florence, and
Baron who was related to us reaided he,e. He
Eas strange man. OF dark thoughts and
gloomy aspect That tower he made his resi-
lence. At night Igbta CLEANED from it, and |
strange sounds were heard there, like no sounds !
n the world. By day vast clouds Of smoke !
oonred from it, often ooncealng the tower from
Fiew. No one knew what he did. No one could |
maeiue what ware his occupations. But he be- |
Joining castle. The neiehoors Ill believed that,
ous tbs philosophers stone. The rcopIe suf- |
Tered very much from him. and robbery Vas car /
ned On to Al alarming extent in the neighbor-
nooo. Once they Tentured to attack the castle |
ITSELF.
At last there c&me fe&rful time Ths night |
Haa pestectly dark, suddenly, sone who ware
loonne toward the tower aaW fame and sparks
ISSUE from tbs windows of the upper rooms
mn1co f. ~ OCCURRED. Shriels 1esounded from it.
Ahe people burss into his room. Tbs Baron vas
1o. 70 Dc seen. bundle Of burnt desh and
1879 s aAy On she hoor with mysterious black
my grandfather hAd 4 be.nt;fnt d.robtsr
@nosa hs p1om-sa to L-o ian who would yen.