Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-06-28
and resolved to 60. !. of my hands Is .oou

esef'1 70 VVcuPy II Boln6 70 ane
from town as before.
One evening I was sitting on the lawn
smoking n atterdinnsr cigar, and read
ing Etheps last letter, which quite treasured
me as to her health and spirits, when ON
sedste old h~ousekeeper presented herself
with the information that q party" had
called to zee the house.
"a Gentleman or q ladr I inquired.
"A gentleman, sir, but he didn't give his
name"
found the visitor standing near the open
window Of the drawing room; . tall, gaunt
Ia of thirty-6ve or whereabouts, with
handsome but hsggard features, and restless
dark eyes. His lips were covered By q thick
mustache, which he was neryously twisting
as he stood looking out ct the lawn.
This house ia to be let, / believe; will
you allow me to look over itY' he asked,
turning toward me as / entered.
His voice seemed familiar; | looked at
BIN more closely, and then, in spite of the
change in bis appearance, recognized Cap
tain Vandeleur.
What could have brought'him here, l won
dered. Surely he would not care to return
to the house, even if he were in q position to
do so-which, judging from the shabbiness
OF bis appearance, seemed very doubtful
Half q 60zen vague conjectures flashed
through my mind, as I glanced at his face,
and noticed the restless haunted look
which told of some wearing dread or anxi-
ETY..
After q moments hesitation I asSented
to his request, and resolved to conduct him
myself on his tour of inspection.
Il think | have met you before" l said,
feeling curious to know whether he recollect-
ed me.
BE glanced at me a6sently.
"Possibly-but not of late years; for /
kave been living abroad" was his reply.
Having shown him the apartments on
the ground-aoor, | led the way up stairs.
He followed me from room to room in an
absent, ~listless fashion, till we came to the
chamber which Ethel had occupied. Then
his interest seemed to revive all at once.
He glanced quickly round the walls, his
eyes resting on the door of the box.closet.
That is q bath or dressing room l sup
pose" he said, nodding toward it.
No, only a place for lumber. Perhaps L
ought to tell you that it is said to be haunt
ed" | added, affecting to speak carelessly,
While kept my ewes on his face.
He started so turned toward me.
"Haunted-by what?" he inquired with a
faint sneer. Nothing worse than rats or
mice, l expect"
There is a tragical story connected with
that place" / answered, deliberately. 1T is
said that an unfortunate child was shut up
there to die of fear, in the dark"
The color rushed to his face, then retreat
ed, leaving it deadly white.
"Indeed!' he faltered; land do you mean
to say that he-the child-has been seenT'
No, but he has been heard, knocking
within, and crying to be let out. The fact
is confirmed by every tenant who has occu-
pied the house since
/ stopped short, startled by the effect OF
my revelation.
Ny companion was gazing at me with q
lark stare of horror which banished all
other expression from his face
Good Heavens l heard him mutter;
can it be true? Can this be the reason why
| Was drawn back to the place in spite Of
myself
Recollectiug himself, however, he turned
to me, and forced his white lips into q smile.
"a mysterious story he commented
dryly. "Idon't believe a word of ii, myself,
but | should hardly care to take. a house
| with such an uncanny reputation. think
| need not trouble you any further"
As he turned toward the door, | saw his
figure sway as if he were falling. He put
his hand to his side, with a gasp Of pain, q
blush shade gathering over his face.
Are YOU ill?' | exclaimed in alarm.
ut is nothing. | have a weakness OF
the heart, and am subject to these attacks.
May / ask you for q glass of waterY
| left the room to procure it. When l re-
turned | found that he had fallen upon the
bed in q dead swoon.
l hsstely dispatched a servant for DR.:
Cameron, who happened to be at home, and
came immediately .
He recognized my visitor at once, and
glanced at me significantly. | rapidly ex-
planned what had happened, while he bent
over the unconscious man, and barred his
chest to listen to his heart.beats.
When he raised himself his face was omi-
nously grave.
rs he in danger" / asked, quickly.
mot in immediate danger, but the next
attack will probably be his last. His heart
is MORALLY diseased"
1t was nearly an hour before Vsndeleur
awoke and then only to partial conscious
ness. He lay in a sort of stupor his limbs
neryeless his hands damp and cold.
ut is impossible to remove him in this
condition" the doctor remarked; Il fear he
must stay here for the night. | will send
$50, ,op,a NM ~ uafnh him
Don't trouble-I intend to sit up with
him myself" l replied, speaking on an i'm
pulse l could hardly explain
He looked at me keenly over his specta-
cles.
Should you like me to share your watchY'
he inquired, after a moment.
II should be only too glad OF your com
psny, if you can come without inconVe'
nieIce."
He nodded.
IL must leave you now but | will return
in an hour" he responded.
Three hours had passed away; it was
nearly midnight. The night was oppres'
siyely close and profoundly still. The bed.
room window stood vide open, but not a
breath of air stirred the curtains. Outside,
all was vague and dark, for neither moon
nor stars were visible.
Vandeleur still lay, hslf-dressed, on the
bed, but now asleep. His deep, regular
breathing sounded distinctly in the silence.
DR.. Cameron eat near the d~ressing-table,
reading by the light of a shaded lamp. l,
too, had a book, but found it impossible to
keep my attention fixed upon it, Ny mind
was possessed by an uneasy feeling, halt
dread, half expectation. l found myself
listening neryously to fancied sounds, and
starting when the doctor turned a leaf.
At lenght, overcome by the heat and still
ness, ! closed my eyes, and uuconsciously
sank into q doze. How long it lasted | can.
not tell, but l woke abruptly, and looked
ronnd with q sense Of vague alarm. ]
glanced at the doctor. He had laid down
his book, and was leaning forward with one