The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-01-13

Henry wood Kissed his Detrotneu ten-
derly. "It is very sad story, my love
I see it all now. But we will Danish
it. Stay. though-what became of the
scapegrace, Georgep"
HE shot himself two months after
grandmamma's death-he never came
to the manor afterward-and 1 fancy it
made him put an end to his life. Isn't
it dreadtulP"
Dreadful indeedl Your father seems
to have been your grandfather's only
good and filial child"
"Yes-he and Aunt Alice, who died
eight or nine years ago. She never
married, you know-but she would not
live with US. She said that she was
sure the Manor House had lost all good
luck, and she could not live in it to see
its ruin"
"Ah!" said Henry, rising from his
seat and shaking his head. Janet,
dear, you have quite given me the hor-
rors! Now, for change, let us take q
walk round the gallery. and you shall
tell whose are all these venerable por-
traits"
They sauntered slowly along, Janet
pointing out each ancestor as they passed
the portraits, her lover making his COM
mentS upon it.
Janet, can trace likeness in this
face to yours" he said. as they stood op-
posite tue fair young girl with the pow
dered hair and laced bodice. "You have
her eyes and smile"
do you think SOP All, no, she is so
pretty!'
"And pray what are youP" was the
retort.
"She is my great-aunt, Lady Leigh"
said Janet, without answering him.
"She died very young, believe"
And who is this ferocious old gen.
tleman?" asked Henry, looking at a
very grim painting in a suit of armor
with drawn sword in hand. Sc He looks
savage enough to swallow the whole lot
of his relations, Janet"
Doesn't hep That's Sir Marmaduke
Warden; he was quite as ferocious as he
looks, ] believe. Nurse Grantly used
TO tell me dreadful story about him.
His only daughter was very beautiful,
and she wished to marry a gentleman
for whose family Sir Marmaduke had a
great hatred. Well, this gentleman
persuaded Sybil War len to run away
with him. As she was descending from
the window of her room by q ladder, her
father was in the west parlor and heard
her lovers voice. He rushed out with
his pistols, and, oh, Henry! in fury he
raised his arm and fired. Sybil received
the shot in her side"
"Old wretchn exclaimed Henry
Wood, indignantly. eff l had been
SYPHILIS lover, | would have"
And, without completing the sentence,
the young man struck the hilt of the
heavy, silver-mounted whip he had in
his hand upon the armed breast of the
knight.
The blow was scarcely struck when
the picture swayed, Henry having barely
time to spring aside and drag Janet with
him as it fell, with q frightful crash,
amid dense clouds of dust.
"Heavens!" cried Mr.. Wood, as the
echoes died away, and Janet still cung
his arm. "What Il noise and smother!
Pah! i am half choked. My dear Janet.
don't tremble SO. There is no harm
done"
"Oh, Henry! Lookr cried Janet. as
the cloud of dust gradually cleared
away. There is n door behind the
picture! What can it beP"
There was, indeed, q small door, with
IN old-fashioned handle, which had
been completely con eealed by the fallen
portrait.
Henry sprang forward and endeavored
to open it.
Janet, this is the entrance to some
secret passage, no doubt. How the door
sticks 2 Ha! at last"
With avigorous tug he pulled it open,
and they both peered eagerly into 4 low,
dark passage.
~ viii go and explore" said Henry.
"Do not come, Janet, lest you-"
"Oh, [ must come, too, Henry. Do
let me-"
Who could resist her pretty pleading
face Certainly not Henry so the two
entered the passage, STOPPING lest they
should strike their heads, Henry going
first, with Janet holding his hand.
Suddenly he stumbled, and STOPPING
down, cried:
Here's box, or something, Janet
let US 90 back o the light and see what
it is"
Back they went, and found that the
box was evidently an old desk or a
dressing-case; it had been once very
handsome, and was locked.
"By Jove ~ cried Harry, excitedly,
"this is an adventure. 1 must break
the lock, Janet"
He raised his heavy whip, and with
one blow shattered the lock. The lid
sprang open, and Janet uttere2 cry.
"Oh, Henry Henry this must
be poor grandmamma's lost dressing
case"
Old.flshioned bracelets. heavy gold
chains, sgold-jeweled diamond earrings
and brooches lay before the astonis he'd
eyes of the lovers, and Janet halt
laughed, half cried, as she said:
Henry, this is a fortune; these jew
els must be valuable
"Yes," replied Henry Wood. 81
think your father had better know of
our discovery. On the whole, / fancy
that blow of mine did some good to the
old knight. At all events he returned
good for evil bI falling at our feet in tina
kind manner, and revealing to Us such
hidden treasures"
Janet flew away to her fathers study,
and, having greatly disturbed him by a
very incoherent tale, dragged the be-
wildered Mr.. Warden off to the old
gallery.
"There, father, dear" she cried, as he
stood gazing in amazement at the
jeweiry scattered on the floor. "We
have found your fortune"
Mr.. War0en smiled iaintly.
Not mine, my dear. These jewels
would ali have been yours, l expect, and
your mothers before you. How came
they thereP"
"Don't you think grandmamma may
have hidden themP" said Janet.
"Ah, well, yes; l expect she did.
Poor motherl What made her G ommit
so strange an ac.p Yes, this was a favor
ite bracelet of hers, / remember. Ah,
well, dear, they are yours; DO with hem