The National tribune., 1882-01-21

hours in prospect for the morrow. Wegirls were alt
talking and laughing in the first of the four rooms
have already described In the midst of our mer
rlment there came suddenly crash, so loud and
fearful that we thought every plate and dish in
the kitchen and dairy must be broken. This
was followed by the sound of heavy chains clank-
lng as If being dragged across the stone yard
and long piteOus whine from old Leo, who was
chained up in his kennel just outside the daary
door. We all started and clung to one another
The noise had been heard in all parts of the
| house, for Mr.. and Mrs. Frank came to our door
to know what was the matter, and we heard the
| young men and the servants moving. As No
reason could be assigned for the disturbance If
was suggested that Harry and Bah, with one of
the men-servants, should 60 down and see what
had caused so much noise. They were gone
some time, but could throw no light upon the
mystery when they returned NOTHING wss
broken, nothing even displaced; but Leo seemed
much terrified and reluctant to be left in his
kennel We all tried to be brave, and separated
to our different rooms.
The next night was the ball at Yoking and we
did not return until day was breaking We were
all too weary even to talk about the previous
nights adventure. The following night, at about
II o'clock, we were all reused by the same mys-
terious crashing sound, still more decided drag
ging of chains, mixed with piercing shrieks, and
howl upon howl from Leo We were terribly
alarmed. Nora tainted dead away We called
loudly to the boys and servants to come, but
when we were all assembled, pale and trembling.
no one would venture upon second visit of in
spectlon 1t was impossible to return to our
beds and we waited impatiently for daylight
The subject was much discussed in the morning,
and Mr.. Franks determined that some means
should be taken to find out who or what was
causing so much alarm and discomfort 1t was
at last resolved that the gardener should
that night keep watch in the kitchen, that he
should have gun ready loaded, which he was to
fire if in need of assistance; he was strong,
powerful man, and laughed at the idea of any
mystery, but thought there might be tramps
about who for some reason were trying to alarm
the family. We were all so nervous that when
night came, for one fatty refused to go alone to
my room, which was the last Of the four l have
mentioned; so we girls decided to sit up together
until after the hour at which we had been dis
turbed on the two previous occasions. As the
hour approached we were joined by other members
restless and uneasy, and not without reason.
Just as the clocks were pointing to midnight
the most unearthly scream rang through the air,
the same crashing, the same dragging of chains,
and the piteous howls Of our poor dog 1t was
too much to bear, and those who were brayest
and strongest amongst US had enough to do in
attending to those who were utterly prostrated
by alarm. We listened, and expected the agreed
on sign from the gardener; but as all was again
quiet, we imagined he had not found it necessary
to summon help.
AT daylight the servant, with Mr.. Franks and
Harry, at once sought the gardener to hear his
report of the night. They found in the yard still
chained to his kennel. the dog-dead! And in
the dairy they discovered the man, mad, crouch
ing like an idiot in the corner of the room No
wound had killed poor Leo. There was not even
the mark of blow. The poor gardener never re-
covered. We could get no coherent word from
him to explain this awful mystery. And to the
day of his death, year from that time, he never
spoke nor had a gleam of reason. Mr.. and Mrs
Franks had him carefully tended and cared for
TO the last. The whole house was searched by
men sent down from London, but n6 clue was
found. Nor from that time until the Franks left
5he house was there any more cause for alarm,
although the figure on the stairs was seen several
lines by many during the next few days.
The shocking incident have related so affect
ID the health of poor Nora that Mr.. and Mrs.
franks decided upon leaving the house at once.
'or years it stood empty, but few months ago
saw it again and it brought back to my memory
o vividly those terrible nights that I determin-
d to write down the story.-London World.
HIS LAST DRINK,