Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1885-06-26
IN THE DARK.
III.
TConcludcd.l

One evening i was sitting on the lawn, \
smoking an after-dinner cigar, and re-reading II
Ethel's last letter, which quito reassured mo v
as TO her health and spirits, when our sedaio II
old housekeeper presented herself with the
information that "party" had called TO see !
the house.
"a gentleman or lady?" l inquired.
"a gentleman, sir, but he didn't give his 9
name"
/ found the visitor standing near the open
window of the drawing. room; a tall gaunt |
man of thirty-five or thereabouts with hand
some but haggard features, and restless dark
eyes His lips were covered by thick
mustacbe, which he was nervously twisting |
rs he stood looking out at the lawn.
"Ths house is to be let, | believe; will |
| you allow me to look over it ?" he asked,
turning toward mo as I entered.
=. His voice seemed familiar | looked at him
more closely and then, in spite of the change
| in his appearance, l recognized Captain
| Nandeleur
| What could have brought him here won
| dered. Surely he would not caro- to return
| to the house, even if he were in a position to
! do so-which Judging from the shabbiness
| of his appearance, seemed very doubtful
Half dozen vague conjectures flashed
| through my mind, as glanced at his face,
and noticed tho restless ''hunted" look |
which told Of some wearing dread or anx-
iety.
After a moments hesitation | assented to |
his request, and resolved to conduct him |
myself on his tour of inspection.
| 81 think | have met you before" | said, |
feeling curious TO know whether he recol-
| lccted me.
lie glanced at me absently.
| "POsSibly-but not of late years for have
been living abroad" was his reply.
Having shown him the apartments on the
ground-tloor, led tho way upstairs. lie
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
: "lhat is a bath or dressing room, | sup
@ pose" he said, nodding toward it.
: "No, only place for lumber. Perhaps
II ought tell you that it is said to be haunted"
4 ! added, affecting to speak carelessly, while
: ] kept my eyes on his face
u lie started and turned toward me.
II "Iiaunted-by what?" he inquired with
;, faint sneer "Nothing worse than rats or
: mi,e, IeXpect"
!. "There is a tragical story connected with
4 that place" answered deliberately. at il
said that an unfortunate child was shut up
Il there to die of fear in the dark"
70 The color rushed to his face, then rotreatcd
to leaving il deadly white
T. "Indeed - he ialterod ''and do you mean
H. 10 say that he--the child-has been seen ?''
=, NO, but he has been heard, knocking
. within, aud crying to bo let out The fact Is
lo confirmed by every tenant who has occupied
ve the house since
fy | stopped short, startled by the effect of my
ok | revelation.
,rs My companion was gazing at mo with a
,a blank stare OF horror which banishod all
Nv other expression from his face
hB "Good heavens ~ | heard him muttor
~ Can ii be true Can this be the reason why
re was drawn back 10 the place in spite Of my
to scf"'
~, Rccolecting himself however, he turned
aI aps to me, and forced all his white lips into
ais smile.
ng "a mysterious story :" he commented
nd dryly. 81 don't believe a word Of it myself
ol- but | should hardly care to take "A house will
such an uncanny reputation. think | nee,
not trouble you any further"
,,d As lac turned toward the door, saw hi
| figure sway rs if he were falling. lie put hi
:" hand to his side, with a gasp OF pain, a buis
tht shade gathering over his face
ng Are you i'll ~ exclaimed in alarm.
"l-itis nothing. | have weakness t
m the heart, and am subject TO these attacks
ule May ask you for glass Of watcr?"
mo left the room to procure it. When | r.
nc turned found that he had fallen upon th
VI bed i'll a dead swOOn.
yer / hastily dispatched a servant for Dr. Can
the eron, who happened to be at home, and cam
,er- Immediately.
ain lie recognized my visitor at once an
,cr glanced at me significantly. | rapidly O.
,nn planned what had happened, while he bcr
'ch over tho unconscious man, and barred il
'ho chest TO listen to the heart-beats.
len When he raised himself his face was OmiI
far ously grave.
all as he in danger? ~ / asked, quickly.
de- Not in immediate danger, but the next a
has tack will probably DO his last His heart
mas mOrtally diseased"
, or 1t was nearly an hour before Nandeleu
D so awoke and then only to partial consciousness
ons He lay in sort of stuPor, his limbs nervele
il | his hands damp and cold.
.,I 1t is impossible to remove him in tn
cav condition." the doctor remarked " fe;
Pu- he must stay here for the night. l will sen
his | you some one to watch him"
ono &" Don't trOuble-I intend to sit up wit
tier him myself" | replied, speaking ON an in
o nr pulse could hardly explain.
,o, lie looked at me kcenly over his spcct
yet | cles.
old "Should you like me to share yor
dly | watch ?' he inquired after moment
ct a 81 should bo only too glad Of yol
he company, if you can COME without imconvei
osi | ience."
c' He nodded.
ioh ~ must leave now but will return in a
To hour" he responded.
& is Three hours had passed away it was nearl
the midnight The night was Opprcssively clo'
and profoundly still. The bedroom windo
stood wide open, bet not breath of a
inc | stirred the curtain. Outside, all was vagu
o and dark, for neither moon nor stars we
| visible
Nandeleur still lay, half.dressed, on Il
bed, but now asleep. His deep regul
lsly breathing sounded distinctly in the silenc
DIR. Cameron sat near the dressing tabl
ub- reading by the light of a shaded lamp. l. to
lin had a book, but found it impossilo to ket
my attention fixed upon it. My mind vi
|
nal halt expectation. | found myself listenr
y Of nervOusly to fancied sounds, and startn
tro when the doctor turned leaf.
hot At length, overcome by the heat and still
ness, closed my eyes, and unconsciOusl
-. sank into a doze How long it lasted ca
NJ not tell, but | woke abruptly, and locke
toi around with a sense of vague alarm
oau glanced at the doctor. He had laid down h
any book and was leaning forward with one arr
@ pe on tho dressing table, looking ntently +
nut ward the door of the box room. Instnctivcl
/ held my breath and listened.
on, Never shall / forget the thrill that ra
I of through my nerves when | heard frol
by. | within muflled knocking sound, and
An child's voice, distinct, though faint, an
ars broken by sobs, crying piteously: "Let n
nal | out let me out ~
do you hear ?' whispered, bonding 70
ces ward TO my companion.
ay He inclined his head in assent and IN,
Dlic toned me to be silent, pointing toward III
ers bed. Its occupant moved uneasily, as if di
OK, turbed, muttering some incoherent phrase
raj Suddenly he pushed back his covering am
md set upright, gazing round with wild, b.
wildered state.
sor The pitiiul entreaty was repeated more vi,
, AT lently, more passionately than before al,
in me out, let me outn'