Middletown transcript., 1881-05-06
THE HAUNTED ISLAND.

iron bound coast OIL Maine, anu ehJO9'
ing the beauty Of the scenery, with the
ocean on our right, and innumeraDle
islands, some of them bold and rocky,
others green and inviting, upon ou
left.
My friend, whom l shall call Dale
Drummond, was man Of thirty-tive,
and had been sad wanderer since, at
fifteen, he left home to go into the navy
as midshipman.
Though all who knew him felt that
lie had history Of deep interest, there
were none who cared to ask him of the
past, and, excepting that he came of a
good family. and at twenty-five had re-
signed from the navy to enjoy fortune
left to him. little was known regarding
him.
'EYou run i'll among these islands,
Drummond, as though you were in
open water, l said, seeing how, as |
thought, recklessly he steered his pretty
schooner yacht among the dangerous
rocks and inlets that were now upon
every side, for we had headed in
shore.
':I,now these waters as | do my
mothers face, and better, for l have
never seen her since | was wee child, 4
he answered, and after moment con
tinued, as he pointed to lordly villa a
league away:
.'Do you see that mansion yonder,
looking out from that forest ?''
answered in the affirmative, and
then added:
"a second one, too, a league down
the coast.
YES in the one was born ; in the
other 1 had my hope for the future
dashed to the earth forever.'
He spoke bitterly, and l saw that he
was much moved, as he gazed upon the
two old houses, both Of which, as we
drew nearer, seemed crumbling to de-
cay.
tColonel, we will drop anchor under
the lee of yonder wild-looking island,
which l remember is said to be haunt
ed, and, if you care to accompany me,
we will 60 over and have look at the
old homesteadS, for 1 have not been
here for more than twelve years.
OF course, / was only too glad to go,
and, half an hour after, we landed on
the main shore and ascending to the
cliff above, we found ourselves in what
had been at one time the handsomest
grounds of a fine old mansion, but
which was now desolate and time
worn.
There is my home ; no one dwells
here now, for my father cut me off
from my inheritence, and left the place
to distant relative in England and
yet, strange to say, yonder other home
stead is mine, for it was left me by the
only being | ever loved f; but have not
dared come here until to-day"
We stood together, gazing upon the
two old mansions whose broad acres
joined together about half way between
the homesteads, and being in COM
municatiye mood, Drummond went on
in his easy way:
''I'll tell you story, Colonel, though
never speak of the past, as it is sad to
think Of it, | assure you.
II was born in that old place, as |
told you, my father and mother coming
there a year before my birth, and they
were English.
''Of his past, or my mothers, my
father never spoke, and l remember
him as dark-faced, stern man Of fifty,
and nearly double the age Of his wife.
''He never went from home, lived in
luxury, seemed to possess unlimited
means, and was very stern, silent man,
while my mother was sad-faced woman,
and, up to my fifteenth year, when she
died. | remember she often wept, and
seemed ever to have some deep grief at
heart.
Procuring tutor for me, my faith.
er felt that he had done his duty by me
and was allowed to do just as
pleased and l hunted or fished more
than | studied.
,.One day l went, from motive O
dare-deviltry, alone to yonder island
which every one Stunned on account O
its being said to be haunted by thu
ghosts of crew lured to wreck ther'
by false beacon.
Il found no ghosts there but | die
find perfect little fairy, a maiden o
ten years of age, and five years my ju
nior
.'Her father had lately moved to tn
other homestead You see there; ant
having dwelt on the sea shore in Eng
land the little Fidele was perfect sal
lor; and alone, in her light canoe, hat
fearlessly padded over to Haunted Isl
and, which, as you see, is mile from
the mainland.
Il at once made her acquaintance
and sailed her back home, with her ca
NOE in tow, and from that day, childrel
though we were, we were lovers, ant
together we hunted, fished, sailed anG
read books; for when away from he
studies she was as wild as young In
dian.
"a few months after our meeting
received my Midshipman's warrant
and left home to enter the navy; bu
each year l got short leave; for ther
was not naval academy in those days
and my every visit but infatuated m
more with the little Fidele Claire-fo
such was her name.
sAt length 1 came home when in m,
twenty-second year, and then it was
asked Fidele to be my wife; for sh