Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1875-04-29

/ nothing valuable ABOUT you, ana
come armed"
Lord Stairs surprise at reading
this strange reauisiticn may be easily
imagined. AT first he took it for a
trick of some secret enemy, or some
affair of gallantry, the heroine Of
which had probably her own reasons
for such q mysterious summons
However, he determined to 60, let
the risk be what it might. He buck.
led on his sword, and, providing him
self with a pair of pistols went to the
place appointed. There he found a
man evidently waiting for him, who
without speaking. made him a sign to
follow. After walking for about an
hour they came into a dilapi'lated and
deserted street. His conductor knock
ed at the door of small house; on
its being opened he stood aside and
said, Walk in my lord" and the
door closed behind them. Holding
his sword in one hand and pistol in
the other, Lord Stair followed his con-
ductor and was shown into room the
furniture of which was scanty and be-
longed to bygone age. At the far
end of the apartment there was seat
ed, or rather half buried, in a huge
lesthern chair very aged and de-
crepit man; so old, he seemed as
though Time hal forgotten him,
though the passing years had left
their mark upon his face, and scored
and rcscored it over until scarcely a
vestige of Natures original hands
work remained. Flowing down al
most to his waist was long white
beard n pair of unearthly eyes gleam-
ell from beneath his frosted brows =
On table by his side was a small
old-fashioned lamp. So soon as he
found himself alone with this uninin-
viting figure he advanced cautiously
and, glancing suspiciously round him,
grasped his sword. The old mans dull
eyes became fixed upon his face, and
small faint voice inquired il he
were Lord Stair.
Lord stair answered in the affirma-
tive, adding; at is you, | presume,
who have sent for me in this myste'
rious fashion,
."Kneel down, that | may look up
on your face"
Strangely impelled by his authorita
tive tone. as well as some irresistible
feeling in his own heart, Lord Stair
obeyed. The old man seized the
lamp, and, throwing the light full
upon his visitors face, gazed at it ca
gerry; he then stretched forth his
yellow, skeleton hand, and touched
his visitors check. The younger
man almost recoiled from it; he felt
as though the hand Of death were
writing its sign manual upon his
brow.
81 see-I recognize the features of
my race-it is my own lost youth
come back again. Now, lit up
your eyes and look on me"
Amazed, halt stupcfed, and yet
strangely affected. Lord Stair did
as he was bidden; but he saw moth
ing to stir his memory. 1t was an
utter stranger, seemingly belonging
to another world.
Your eyes do not recognize me,
he said impaltiently "but your soul
must, for it is akin to mine. Aye,
YOU may start, but the blood that
rushes flaming to your face nowcomcs
from the same fountain as that which
stagnates ami freezes in mine For
wears, long years, have yearned to
look upon the face Of my own race
and blood; a little while and | should
be content to die but not yet-not
vet. have two things to do, /
should not lie quiet in my grave If
left undone."
Guided by his directions Lord
Stair drew a heavy box from beneath
Il bed.
There. there" continued the old
man, YOU will find papers which will
repair the losses you and your family
have sustained deeds which will re
store YOU to estates enjoyed wrong.
fully by Others. With the aid Of
these YOU will easily recover property
which is yours BY descent; and you
will read the story Of my lie, 1t is
written there
Lord stair hastily scanned the
document. and found that they were
precisely what the old man limited,
and raised his eyes to him in wonder
ing gratitude. He would have taken
his bony hand and pressed it to his
lips, but the old man snaiched 1t
away, murmuring-
There's blood upon it. I've
tried to hide it, but it's always
there"
Lord Stair recoiled step, struck
bv the sudden gesture, no less tnan
by the words, and the shuddering ex-
preston that came to his companions
face. The old man observing the re-
vulsions his words created, pat forth
his hands pleadingly, as he added
"No, don't leave me yet am an
old man-a very old man, and !
have repented. Oh God have ] not
repented ? Yea, from the very hour
that Stacked my thirst for ven.
geance. my blood began 10 cool, and
[ have felt the brand Of murder
cruel, cowardly murdcr-cn my soul.
| hid myself from the eyes Of lnlre
oSn kindred, from the eyes Of all the
world, and I would fIin have hidden
from myself; but nave the stain OF
Cain upon my brow. meant my
secret to be buried with me, but 1t
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