Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-14
THE HIDDEN HAND.

By MRS. SOUTHWORTH,
AUTHOR OF 1.-THE BRIDE OF AN EVENING"" 'THE
DESERTED WIFE," &C., sc.
CHAPTER L
THE NOCTURNAL VISIT.
80 Whence is that knocking,
HOW is't with me when every sound appas mel
In the south entry! Hark!-more knocking!
SHAKESPEARE.
Hurricane Hall is a large old family mansion,
built Of dark, red sandstone, in one of the lone
Hest and widest Of the mountain regions OF Viz
gnia.
The estate is surrounded on three sides by a
range of steep, gray rocks, spiked with cumps OF
dark evergreens, and called. from its horseshoe
form, the DEVILS Hoof.
On the fourth side the ground gradually de-
sends in broken rock and barren soil to the edge
Of the wild mountain stream known as the Devlls
Run.
When storms and floods were high, the loud
roaring OF the wind through the Wild mountain
gorges and the terrific raging Of the torrent over
its rocky course, gave to this savage locality its
ill-omened names of Devils Hoof, Devils Run.
and Hurricane Hall
Major Ira Warfleld, the lonely proprietor Of the
Hall, was a veteran officer, who, in disgust at
what he supposed to be ill-requited Sc rvces, had
his vigorous age on this his patrimoniai estate.
Here he lived in seclusion, with his old-fashioned
housekeeper, MIS-. Condiment, and his old family
In person Major Warf1eld was tall and strongly
built, ike some iron-limbed Douglas OF the olden
time.
In character Major Warfield was arrogant DOM
ineerlng, and violent; equally loved and feared by
his faithful old family servants at home; disiked
and dreaded by his neighbors and acQuaintances
abroad, who, partly from his house, and partly
from his charac ter, fixed upon him the appropri-
ate nickname OF OLD HURRICANE.
Inere was, however, other ground OF aversion
besides that OF his arrogant mind, violent temper
and domtne zee habits Old Hurricane was said
there was in some obscure part OF the world, hid
den away from human sight, deserted wife and
ther whispered that the older brother OF Ira War
field had mysteriousy disappeared, and not with
out some suspicion OF foul play on the par. Of the
est in his stalking or" However these things
might be, 1t was known for a certainty that Old
Hurricane had an only sister, widowed, sick, and
poor, who, with her son, dragged on wretched
life OF ill-requted toll, severe privation, and pain
fui d ,nfirmity In distant city, unaided. unsought
1t was the night of the last day of October, 1885,
The evening had closed in dark and gloomy.
Ing up masses OF leaden-hued clouds, and in few
minutes the ground was covered deep with snow,
As this was All HaloW Eve. the a'd dreadfu, in
clemency OF the weather did not prevent the ne
groes of Hurricane Hall from availing themselves
OF their capricious old masters permission, and
going OF In body to banjo breakdown held In
the quarters of their next neighbour
hS a eoenRg she there was LETT the
little housekeeper, and Wool, his body ser
want.
Early in the evening the old house was shut nm
closely to keep out as much as possible the sound
or the storm that rOared through the mountain
chasms, and cannonaded the walls as If determined
TO force an entrance. AS soon as she had seen
that all Was safe, Mrs Condiment went to bed and
to sleep.
1t was about ten O'Clock that night that Old
Hurricane, wrapped up In his quilted flannel dress
Ing gown, sat in his padded armchair before
bedroom. This was the hour OF the cOSiest enjoy
ment to the self-1ndulgent Sybarte. And indeed,
every means and appliance OF bodily comfort was
at hand. Strong Oaken shutters, and thick, heavy
curtains at the windows, kept out every draft OF
ar, and SO deadened the sound OF the wind that
its subdued moaning was just sufficient to remind
one OF the stormy weather without in contrast to
the bright warmth within. Old Hurricane as I
said, sat well wrapped up in his wadded dressing
gown. reclining In his padded easy chair, with his
head thrown back and his feet upon the ire-irons,
toasting his shins and slipping his punch.
;. On his left hand stood his cosy bedstead, with
Its warm crimson curtains festoOnel back reveal
Ing the luxurious swell or the full feather bed and
pillows with their snow-white linen and Lambs
stead and the corner OF the fireplace stood Old
Hurricanes ancient body servant, Wool, engaged
~ take this" said Old Hurricane as he sinped
mis- punch and smacKed his lipS-"I take this to be
the very qu1ntessence OF human en1oyment-sit-
ting here In my soft, warm chair before the IRE.
toasting my legs, slipping my punch, listening on
the one hand TO the storm without, and gIancing
on the other hand at my comfortable bed waiting
there to receive my sleepy head.
~ wonder now If there Is anything on the face
OF the earth that would tempt me to leave my coy
large promise OF pleasure or profit or glory it
would take nOw?"
"Much as ebber Congress itse'f could give If it
Wool - '''0' ''i CA '0u' 'a' ''n'' susseS'ed
eyes, and more for wouldn't leave my home
comforts tonight to insure not only the pension
but the thanks Congress-" said the old ma n. re-
penishing his glass with steaming punch, and
drinking 1t Off leisurely.
The clock struck eleven The old man AGAIN
hlied his glass, and, while slipping its contents,
said:
You may fill the warming-pan and warm nv
bed, Wool. The fumes OF this fragrant punch
s are beginning to rise to my head and make me
The servant filled the warming pan with glow
Ing embers, shut down the lid. and thrust it be-
tween the sheets, to heat the couch OF the luxur-
Gus Old Hurricane. The Old man continued to toast
his feet, sip his punch, and smack his lips. He
nnished his glass, set down, and was Just in the
act OF drawing on his wooden night-cap prepare
Tory u stepping into his Well-warmed bed, when
he was suddenly startled by loud ringing OF the
"What the foul fend can that mean at this time
Of night," exclaimed Old Hurricane, dropping his
night-cap, and turning sharply around towards
Wool, who, warmlng-pan in hand, stood
staring WIN astonishment "What does that
.sDeed dunno. sar, less it's some benighted
tra6eler In search o. shelter out'n de storm"
"Humph! and In search OF supper, too, OF course,
and me-" '
AT this moment the ringing was followed by
loud knocking.
"Marse, don't les you and me listen to It. and
then we amt 'blged to sturb ourselves wild answer
ing OF II, ," suggested Wool
"What, sirl do you think that am going to
turn deaf ear to stranger that comes to my
house for shelter on such night as thiS4 90 and
answer the bell directly"
Eyes, sar"
sBut stOp-l0ok here-mind am not to be dis
turoed. II 1t Is traveller, ask him in: set re-
1reshments before him, show him to bed I'm not
gong 10 leave my warm room to welcome any
body tonight, please the Lord. Do you hear7"
Eyes. sar," said the darkey retreating.
AS WOOL took shaded taper and opened the
door leading from his masters chamber. the wind
was heard bowling through the long passages
ready u burt into the coy bedroom.
'SHUr The DOOR, you scOundrelI" roared Old
HURRICANE. folding the skirt of his warm dressing
IRE. ~>- " 'A'
Wool quickly obeyed, and was heard retreating
"Whew!" said the old nan, spreading his hands
over the blaze with look OF comfortable appreci.
alton. "What would induce me to 20 abroad on
such night as this Winds blowing great guns
from the northwest-snow falling fast from the
heavens, and rising just as fast before the wind
IRON the ground !-cold as Lapland, dark as Ere
Dusl NO telling the earth from the sky. WheWin
ana 10 comfort the cold thought. Old Hurricane