The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-08-18

and who appeared to be indignant about
some point which had been mooted.
"Cruelly! should think he did, re-
piled the other. "Ah it was a sad affair
for her when her poor papa died. How
he could leave her in the guardianship of
such an old curmudgeon beats my under
standing"
"Well," replied the other, "he didn't
show the black feather so much while the
old man was alive and they say he was
greatly disappointed that his brother did
not leave him a good share of the property.
1t appears he bequeathed nearly all to Miss
Maria, his only daughter, allowing, how
ever a handsome sum per annum to her
guardian, to meet the expenses OF bringing
her up 1t is said that the latter tried to
force her into marriage with her cousin,
his son George, as unprincipled as himself,
and as reckless a spendthrift and gambler
as ever handled the dice"
''Ah well, suppose that was before l
came into the village then, neighbor. You
know | only left the North last Christmas
twelvemonth. But where is the young
lady now?''
"That's question neither nor any one
else in Briteleigh can satisfactorily answer.
All we know is, that she aoaS at the Hall.
The Squire gave out about a twelvemonth
after her fathers death that she had gone
to Paris to complete her education; but no
one ever saw her 90, or has ever seen her
since. There are never any letters in a
| female hand received at the Hall, either
from France or elsewhere least so as
serts Simmons, the grocer, who keeps the
post-office.
"But the servants they never speak
of her? Surely they must know"
"He keeps none that are allowed to en-
ter the house, except big bully of an
Italian fellow, whom he brought from
abroad-for he was formerly resident in
Italy, and had only returned to England 4
year or two before his brothers decease-
and ss-grained old woman, who is as
impenetrable as adamant, for no one can
ever get anything out of her Neither the
gardener nor the odd man who Jobs about
the premises and looks after the horses is
allowed to intrude A great part of the
house is shut up as closely as if the whole
was uninhabited However it is supposed
to be full Of real good furniture, for old
Mr. Wintock lived in great style, and none
has ever been known to be disposed of. "
Hitherto [ had taken but little interest
in the conversation; for [ was busily en-
ployed in Illuminating upon my plans for
the morrow Though they had spoken of
the Hall, it had not fixed my attention.
But when the name of Wintock was men
toned it reused me at once, and [ imme-
diately asked care you speaking of Mr.
Wintock-up the way?" pointing with my
thumb in the direction of his mansion.
''The very same, sir, replied the stout
man, glad to have another interested au-
ditor "Ah p he continued, 'there some
thing exceedingly mysterious about the dis
appearance of that young lady. Some even
60 so far as to hint foul play. l, for one,
don't quite believe that. But certain it is,
you wouldn't catch one of the village people
crossing the park after dark"
"Indeed Why not ?"
"Why, sir, you see [ don't take any heed
of such superstitious nonsense myself; but
it is whispered among the poorer folk that
a white face is sometimes seen at the win
dows at unearthly hours, and that fearful
shrieks have occasionally been heard at
midnight. You know what a country vii
lage is, and how easily place obtains the
repute of being haunted. Once upon
time some of our fellows would steal up
there after dark to catch a rabbit or two,
for there is a warren on the far side of the
house; but I'd venture fve-pound note
that not one of them would be hardy
enough to try now for all the rabbits in the
county. There are reports, too, that old
Wintock, or he and his son together, have
outrun the constable
''Oh Is it true, think yOu?'
Il believe it to be so. They say that
the life Mr.. George and his father lead has
involved both very deeply in liabilities
which neither can meet Drinking, horse
racing, gambling, and, if people are to be
credited, swindling, are to be numbered
among their accomplishments. The last
dodge was a clever, though rascally one.
''Hum What might that be?''
ssWelI, it seems that old Wintock had
run matters so close that he was daily
threatened by one of his tradespeople with
an execution As he owed largely, he be-
thought himself that if this was once suf-
fered to take effect, the rest of his cred
itors would be after him Immediately. To
save matters, he goes to MIR. Marley, OF
Marley Hall, in Downshire, of whom he
had some knowledge, represents that he is
staying in his neighborhood for a short
time, and that, in consequence OF expenses
which young Wintock has incurred at col
lege, he has occasion for few hundreds;
and so induced the old gentleman to ad-
vance him the money on bill of three
months at good interest. When the time
expired the bill was dishonored-not a rap
to meet it, at least at the bankers
'Then young Wintock was not at col
lege?'
tsNot he. 1t was all scheme to rid
them of present difficulties. But suppose
old Marley is down upon them at last
rather sharp"
All this [ knew before, but was not aware
that it was also known at Brteleigh. The
old proverb says, "Ill news travels apace.
1t is astonishing how rapidly the misfor-
tunes or crimes of even the most wary get
noised abroad, in spite of the most siren
uous efforts to keep them concealed. [
did not, however, enlighten my friend as
to my foreknowledge, though l could not
help thinking that he partly guessed the
import of my visit to the village. But l
did not deem it expedient to satisfy his ev-
ident curiosity, lest in some way it might
embarrass my movements. | accordingly
took an early opportunity of changing the
subject; and after spending very COM
Portable evening in social chat, retired to
rest.
[ rose early next morning, and sauntered
carelessly into the park, making circuit,
to examine the house more thoroughly. If
ill = a.aoarod morn co,nhre and m