Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-01-08
THE HAUNTED ISLAND.

Accepting an invitation from a yacht
ing friend to go on a summer cruise,
some years ago, We found ourselves, one
balmy afternoon, sailing along the IRON
bound coast of Maine, and enjoying the
beauty Of the scenery, with the ocean on
our right, and innumerable islands,
some of them bold and rocky, others
green and inviting, upon our left.
Ny friend, whom 1 snail call Dale
Drummond, was q man Of 35, and had
been a sad wanderer since, at Is, he left
home to So into the navy as Midship-
man.
Though all that knew him felt that he
had a 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 % hadresigned from
the navy to enjoy fortune left to him,
little was known regarding him.
"You run in among these islands,
Drummond, as though you were in open
water" I said, seeing how, as thought,
racklessly he steered his pretty schooner
yacht among the dangerous sunken rocks
and many islets that were now upon
every side, for we had headed in shore.
CT know these waters as I do my
mothers face, and better, for I have
never seen her since I was wee child,
he answered, and after moment con-
tinued, as he pointed to a lordly villa a
league away:
"Do you see that mansion yonder,
looking out from that forest? 2"
answered in the affirmative, and then
added:
GA second one, too, league down
the coast"
eyes; in the one was born in the
other I had my hope for the future
dashed to the earth forever"
He spoke bitterly, and I 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.
Colonel, we'll drop anchor under the
lee OF yonder wid-looking island, which
remember is said to be haunted, and,
if you care to accompany me, we will go
over and have q look at the old home
steads. for I have not been here for
twelve years.
OF course, I was only too glad to go,
and, half an hour after, we landed on
the main shore and, ascending to the
cliff above, found ourselves in what had
once been the handsome grounds Of
fine old mansion, but which now was
desolate and time-worn.
"There is my home no one dwells
here now, for my father cut me off from
my inheritance, and left the place to a
distant relative in England and yet,
strange to say, yonder other homestead
is mine, for it was left me by the only
being I ever loved; but I 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
municative mood, Drummond went on,
ID his easy way:
"I'n tell you the story, Colonel,
though never speak OF the past, as it is
sad to think it, can assure you.
81 was born in that old place, as I
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 I remember him
as dark-faced, stern man of so, 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 a sad-faced wom-
an and, up to my 18th year, when she
died, remember she often wept. and
seemed ever to have some deep grief at
heart.
Procuring tutor for me, my father
felt that he had done his duty by me,
and I was allowed to do just as pleased;
and I hunted or fshed more than I
studied.
Gone day went, from motive of
dare-deviItry, alone to yonder island,
which every one Stunned on account of
its being said to be haunted by the
ghosts of crew lured to wreck there
by false beacon.
"I found no ghosts there; but I did
find a perfect little fairy, maiden of 10
years Of age, and five years my junior.
''Her father had lately moved to the
other homestead, you see there; and
having dwelt on the sea shore in En-
gland the little Fidele was perfect
sailor; and alone, in her light canoe,
had fearlessly padded over to Haunted
island, which, as you see, is mile from
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