The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-12-03
THE RUINED CASTLE.
-
By Il. j. VERNON.


things, darling. y
The speaker was the young earl of Tank
erville. He stood, with his newly-weddec
| bride, on broad but decayed terrace, over
looking wide sweep of hillside and river
i It was night, but the moon was shining
silvering all things with its magical radf
ance. Behind him was long, low. pic
| turesque edifiee, half castle, half manor
house, dilap apidated and in ruin.
81 would be happy anywhere, dearest,
| was the fond answer, seven iu the poores
cottage, were you with me.''
s.IE is but little more than a cottager'C
fare have to offer you,'' said the young
husband, sadly. ''Yet, when Geoffrey
| Tankerville, five hundred years ago. bull
When his descendant, Sir Godfrey, leaped
his horse from yonder parapet, and was
dashed to pieces, sooner than surrender q
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. Ah, Gwendoline, had / known
| that 1 was to be disinherited. would nev-
er have asked you to be mine-''
s'Hush not q 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 estrangement, had
~ChuOW1cuSou you as uelr Ot his estates,
and the title he could not keep from you.
He afterward changed his mind, that was
all.''
'tYet,' answered the young earl, 81 am
sure there was will in my favor. The
old earl said to me, i have come to die in
the home of our race, and I realize at last
that have no right to disinherit you, simp-
ly because hated your father. Years ago
l made will, leaving to my brother-in-
law, Lord Dormer, all, except this castle,
which Is entailed on the title But have
executed a later will, giving everything to
you.' It was on this assurance, darling,
that came to you and spoke. Then the
old earl died suddenly was found IN his
library-ehair corpse had died, it was sup
posed. while looking over his papers. If
the later will was ever distracted, it was
at that time. Certain 1t is, it WAS never
found.''
Il have always thought it very strange,
especially as no one was here, you say,
who could have had any ilIterestin making
away with the will.''
'.On the contrary, the old butler, Will
liams, was my fast friend. He himself was
one Of the witnesses to the will. But see,
there he comes to summon us to dinner.
An earl of Tankerville is poor indeed when
one aged follower is butler, footman, valet,
steward, everything, and that on his mas
ter's wedding day."
The young bride turned to take last
look at the landscape, before going in. Just
at that moment a raven croaked under the
terrace-wall. The interruption came so
unexpectedly. the sound was so foreboding,
that Lady Tankerville shrank instinctively,
and shuddered.
You think it an omen of evil, . said the
earl, with concern. "Let us rather look on
It as q welcome. These ravens have been
here from time immemorial; they are the
| nf ofas 10 hrrf ,afr flo
way OF showing gladness.''
The bride tried to smile.
Il was silly" she said, stand nervous.
Yes it is good omen, for see, here he
comes, soaring over the parapet, and with
white peace-0fering, declare. in his
beak, like the dove from the ark. What
can It be ?''
As she spoke, the raven rose heavily
over the terrace, Tapping his wings slowly,
and lowered just above them.
'.He does not fear us, at any rate,'' said
the earl, sand that is sign of welcome.
Stay, l will scare him till he drops his bur-
den, and then we will see what il is. 1
cannot make il out.,'
He uttered quick, loud cry, y,as he spoke,
and the raven, with frightened croak, let
go mis- burden, and Numbered duskily away.
strange, cried the young noble, rs he
picked up the parcel, which had fallen al
most at his feet, ''tIiis Is folded parch-
ment. It is tied and sealed like some inn
porfant law paper. Gracious heaven !!
wnae M DO l read? The superscription is,
= = ne t0st sofu and testament of Ralph, earl Of
IGnkerrtue.' Why, my darling, this is
the lost will, unless my eyes, in the MOON
light, deceive me.''
True enough, it was that lost will, ms
they soon convinced themselves, beyond
tne possibility of doubt, when they came
to examine 1t, deliberately in the lighted
1fP-RfN tnS Il