The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-10-15

81 must bid You welcome, Mr.. Main
warning, though you will enjoy the in
heritance of my sons"
Lydia shook hands with III with a look
as though she feared blow.
"Perhaps you will go to your rooms
to dress" interposed Lady Westerham.
"They are III the bachelors wing.
Lydia, ring the bell"
Jock seemed half-inclined To make
some joking observation, but the whole
atmosphere was too chilling and oppres-
siye, and we followed the butler to our
rooms.
The corridor in which they were
situated was entered by fight of three
or four steps. Over the entrance was a
dim gaslight. The same over the door
of the billiard-room opposite. IL con-
tanned twelve rooms, six on either side.
They were furnished in the rough style
with which bachelors used formerly Ia
he treated.
There was bed very little better than
plowmm's, with dimity curtain.
Patches Of carpet were placed here and
there. The wash hand-stand was of
common painted deal, and the DRESSING
table was covered with I'M unbleached
cloth, on which stood small, plain
looking-glass. The windows had shut
tiers, but only two plain calico curtains;
and battered tinbath stood in u corner.
My servant will look after Mr..
Mainwaring," said Jock to the butler.
(Which room would you like, Thco 2"
he continued.
| mechanically took the first on the
left. Jock took the next.
1--WE must have fire, Waters" said
jock to the butler.
my lady has said nothing about it, "
answered the latter.
"Well, Waters, I'll take the risk upon
myself, and pay you for the GOALS in case
of necessity"
Jock spoke half in Jest, but it was clear
that the Jest was half in earnest.
As our stay continued, il became no
easier. Hitherto | had never shot, and
Jock initiated me into the mysteries of
the art, for which had contracted pas
sion. sometimes thought he seemed
to tire himself to please me 10y staying
out m long as possible, and more than
once he seemed worn out on our return;
but he was so unselfish that he appeared
for my sake to he M greedy of the
amusement rs myself. One evening we
were later than usual, and when we le-
turned to dinner he was deathly pale.
Lydia looked ut him with an anxiety /
had never before seen, and her gaze of
terror intensified.
We never sat up very late, and that
night we were both tired.
Good night, Theo, boy" said Jock
cheerfully; "sleep well, and God bless
YOU"
always had slept well, but Mt Castle
Greasy l slept better than usual after all
the exercise and out-of-door life.
But L was restless. Perhaps ! had
over-strined my nerves or had drank too
much whisky. | slept, but not soundly
that kind of sleep in which the senses
are very acute. Unjust have been about
l o'clock when started up in my bed.
| had distinctly heard the entrance door
of the passage open. Then there were
thuds us though some heavy substance
was falling from step to step. Then
heard heavy sigh and sweeping
sound, rs though the same heavy load
was being dragged slowly along the pas
sage, till it stopped for moment. /
could resist my feelings no longer.
leaped up from my bed and opened the
door, and | saw Lydia Mainwaring,
scared and wan, the perspiration stream
ing down her cheeks, dragging along the
floor the dead body of Jock Campbell.
He was dressed in his evening waist-coat
and trousers, with a lighter smoking
Il L.,
cap had fallen of. and lay near the steps.
My eyes caught Lydia's. She did not
say word, but lifting her hand with II
meaning | never conceived gesture
could express, and gazing ut me, with
her look of terror and entreaty, l felt I
knew her prayer, and / returned to my
room.
The dragging noise still continued till
it came opposite Jocks room. i heard
it in the room itself, then there was n
pause. Meanwhile | had not gone to
bed again, but hastily putting on some
clothes ] waited what was to come. In
about quarter of IN hour my own door
opened and Lydia beckonea to me 81
lently.
She said but few words in whisper
80 low that, except for the silence round,
it would have been inaudible.
"Hc died in my room," she said.
This was all.
The next day Jock Campbell was
found lying dead or his bed. Nothing in
the room was disturbed. His cap lay near
him. His clothes bore no trace Of the
CHASTITY journey.
The authorities who investigated the
matter reported that he "died by the
visitation of God" 1t was II true ver-
dict, rs the heart disease of which he had
spoken to me had killed him.
In the night before his funeral, ut the
hour of his death, l heard the door open
once again. Again Lydia walked down
the steps, and again came to my room.
Together we went and prayed by the
side of his coffin.
"Cousin Theo," she said to me, "you
know that he loved You M we both loved
him. ] must never see you again il
can help it. Never seek me; and il we
meet let us do so rs strangers. ask you
this favor on his coffin"
pressed her hand and gave her the
promise. Then she kissed the coffin and
glidel noiselessly from the corridor.
did not see her again.
The next night Lady Westerham sent
for me. She said to me hardly:
"The grave is closed over Jock. He
is gone. My sons are gone. Doubtless
you will enjoy their inheritance. | do
not love yOu, but ! am not unjust. Let
us never meet again.
Next day ! left the house. Calvert
M"Tavish was Jocks executor, and his
will was as he announced it. But the
letter never reached me.
/ was nearly twenty-one, and Calvert
M'Tavish, my next friend, agreed to my
travelling. l had always longed for nd
venture, and my first journey was to the
deserted cities of Central America.
At Guatemala had heard of the death
of Lord Westerham, followed shortly
after by that of his wife. The Inter had
left me her fortune, which was not very
large, rs her will expressed it, "out OF
pure Justice" 1t was charged with IN
annuity for Lydia Mainwaring.
/ knew / was we'll off, but nothing
more. Ont of Jock Campbell's legacy
had put by one-half religiously as re.
serve against the secret trust, which as
yet had never been communicated to me.
| vi.
l dined, IN invited, the next day with
Sir Esmer and Lady Egerton.
There was but one guest beside my
self. 1t was Jock Campbell's sister.
She is now my wife. The day after our
marriage Lady Egerton inclosed me a
letter. It was the secret trust of Jock
| Camnbell