The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-06-02

pair OF unedftHiS ewes Rtedmeu IIOl
! beneath his frosted brows. On
table by his side was a small old
fashioned lamp. So soon as b.
found himself alone with this unin
viting figure be advanced cautiously
and, glancing suspiciously round him
grasped his sword. The old manl
dull eyes became fixed upon his face
Sad a small, faint voice inquired i
he were Lord Stair.
Lord Stair answered ia the afr
native, adding: at is you, / pre-
sumo, who have sent for ME in this
! mysterious fashion,
"Kneel down that may look upon
your face.n
Strangely impelled by this author,
itative tone, as well as some irresist-
able 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
eagerly be then stretched forth his
yellow, skeleton hard, and touched
his visitors cheek. The young man
almost recoiIed from it; be felt as
though the hand of death were writ
ing his sign manual upon his brow.
Il see-I recognize the features OF
my race-it is my own lost youth
come back again. Now lift up your
eyes and look on me-"
Amazed, half stupefed, and yet
strangely affected, Lort Stair did as
be was bidden; but he saw nothing
there 70 stir his memory. 1t was q
face Of an utter stranger, seemingly
belonging to another world.
Your eyes do not recognize me, +"
be said impatiently; "but your soul
must, for it is akin to niue. Aye,
you may stare, but the blood that
rushes flaming to your face now
comes from the same fountain as
that whicn stagnates and freezes in
mine. For years, long years, I've
yearned to look upon the face Of mine
own race and blood; a little while
and | shall be content to die; but
not yet-not vet. l have two things
to do. should not lie quiet in my
grave if left undone."
Guided by bis directions Lord
Stair drew heavy box from beneath
bed.
There, there" continued the old
man, you viii end papers which viii
repair the losses you and your fami-
ly have sustained deeds which will
restore you to estates enjoyed wrong
fully by others. With the aid Of
these you will easily recover proper
~ which is yours By descent; and
you viii read the story Of my life, it is
written there"
Lord Stair hastily scanned the
documents and found that they were
precisely what the old man hinted,
and be raised his eyes to him in
wondering gratitude lie would
have taken his bony hand and press
ed it to HE lips. but the old man
snatched it away, murmuring-
There's blood upon 1t. I've tried
to hide it, but it is always there"
Lord Stair recoiled step, struck
by the sudden gesture, no less than
by the words, and the shuddering ex-
preston that came into bis compan-
ions face. The old man, observing
the reuulsion his words created, put
forth his hand pleadingly as be added
NO, don't leave me yet; | am an
old mana very old man, and /
have repented. Oh God! have l
not repented? (? Yea, from the very
hour that | slaked my thirst for ven
geance, my blood began to cool, and
| felt the brand Of murder-cruel,
cowardlv murder on my soul | hid
myself from the eyes of mine own
kindred, from the eyes of all the
world, and | wonld fain have hidden
from myself; but have the stain Of
Cain upon my brow. | meant my
secret TO be buried with me, but il
will not let me rest-it will not let
me die until it has escaped my lips
| have tried to die, but | could not
| was a coward and dared not" He
paused moment, overcome by men
tai pain as well as physical exhsus-
ton; then, grasping bis young kins-
mans hand, be spoke again almost
n a whisper
you remember Charles Stuart
King Charles the First"
"Cbarles the Martyr, as we call
him now? Yes, Historically, do
remember him." replied Lord STAR
wondering AT the question.
"I-I-Jut it is all written there,
rejoised the old man pointing to q
bundle Of manuscripts. Il cannot
force nv tongue to tell all-only this /
1t was | who stood upon the seaf-
fold cIoaked and masked; il was |
who struck the ungodly blow that
unkinged England, and sent thrill
of horror through the land-I, vim
dietive monster that I was. Even as
the exc was falling, | hurled my
name-her name into his ear; and |
as l lifted his bleeding head, his mild |
eyes seemed to roll towards mine.
Yes. he heard me-heard me-aad | |
know that be forgave me"
Overcome bv his terrible RETROSPECT
tion, the aged speaker seemed 10 sink
into an unconscious state. Silently, |
as specter, the guide who I
had conducted Lord Stair to the
house appeared upon the scene, a1d
motioned him to leave the room.
AYE, go-so" gasped the old
man. rallying for moment-''go J
and return no more y
Here the manuscript breaks of alb
ruptly. OF its truth or probability
the reader must judge for himself
We all know that the question Of
"Who beheaGed Charles 2" has
been often asked, but never satisfac-
toriiv answered. Richard Brandon |
was engaged to play the part of exc
cutioner. but it is denied that he was
the man who struck the blow.
Not Very ConsoIinS.
Gracious, heavens. DOCTOR do you
mean 10 tel me that I must do with /