The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-09-23

"A gentleman or a lady?' inquired.
"A gentleman, sir, but he didn't give his
name"
/ found the visitor standing near the open
window of the drawing-room; a tall, gaunt
man of thirty-five or thereabouts, with
handsome but haggard lectures, and restless
dark eyes. His lips were covered by thick
mustache, which he was nervously t visiting
as he stood looking out at the lawn.
This house is to be let, l believe; will you
allow me to look over it?n he asked, turning
toward me as entered.
His voice seemed familiar: / looked at
him more closely, and then, in spite of the
change in his appearance, | recognized Cap
tain Nandeleur.
What could have brought him here, 1
wondered. Surely he would not care to re-
turn to the house, even if he were in posi-
ton to do so-which, judging from the shah
biDess Of disappearance, seemed very doubt
full.
Half dozen vague coniectures passed
through my mind as / glanced in his face
and noticed the restless, hunted" look
which told of some wearing dread or anxi-
ETY.
After a moments hesitation / assented to
his request, and resolved to conduct him my
self on his tour of inspection.
Il think 1 have met you before" / said,
feeling curious to know whether he recol-
lected me-
He 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 floor, / 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 inter
est seemed to revive all at once.
He glanced quickly around the walls. his
eyes resting on the door OF the box-closet.
"That is bath or dressing-room, sup
pose" he said, nodding toward it.
"No, only place for lumber, Perhaps l
ought to tell you that it is said to be haunt
ed,' l added, affecting to speak carelessly,
while kept my eyes on his face.
He started and turned toward me.
"Haunted-by what?' he inquired with a
faint sheer. Nothing worse than rats or
mice, | expect"
There is a tragicai 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.
'Indeedl' he faltered; land do you mean
to say that he-the child-has been seen?'
'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
l stopped short, startled by the effect of
my revelation.
My companion was gazing at me with a
blank stare of horror which banished all
other expression from his face.
Good Heavens." | heard him mutter, ''can
il be true? Can this be the reason why
was drawn back to the place in spite of my
self?'
Recollecting himself. however, he turned
to me and forced his white lips into a smile.
"A mysterious story" he commented
dryly Il don't believe a word of it, myself,
-. Il. IL
with such an uncanny reputation. l 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 gasp of pain, a
blush shade gathering over his face.
"Are you ll?'' exclaimed in alarm.
lit is nothing. / have weakness OF
the heart, and l am subject to these attacks.
May l ask you for glass of water?'
left the room to procure it. When / re-
turned found that he had fallen upon the
bed in a dead swoon.
hastily dispatched a servant for DR.. Cam
eron, who happened to be at home, and
came Immediately.
He recognized my visitor at once, and
glanced at me Significantly. l rapidly ex-
planned what had happened, while he bent
over the unconscious man and barred his
chest to listen to the heart-beats
When he raised himself his face was ON
4 lnOuSlg grave
SIS he in danger?' / asked, quickly.
'Not in immediate danger, but the next
attack will probably be his last. His heart is
MORALLY diseased
1t was nearly an hour before Vandeleur
awoke and then only to partial conscious
ness. He lay in a sort of stupor, his limbs
nerveless, his hands damp and cold.
at is impossible to remove him in this
condition." the Doctor remarked; al fear he
ct her % / will
you some one to watch him."
Don't trouble-I intend to sit mp with
him nAysef, - i replied, speaking on an i'm
pulse i could hardly explain.
He looked az me keenly over his spectacles
Should you like me TO share you watch?"
he inquired after moment.
81 should be only too glad of your COM
pany, if you can come without incon-
Venience.'
He nodded.
81 must leave you now, but will return
in an hour" he responded.
Three hours had passed away; il was near
ly midnight. The night was Oppressively
close and profoundly STILL The bedroom
window stood wide open, but not breath of
air stirred the curtains. Outside, all was
vague and dark, for neither moon nor stars
were visible.
Vandeleur still lay, half dressed, on the
bed, but now asleep. His deep, regular
DIR. Cameron sat near the dressing-table,
| reading by the light of shaded lamp. l.,
| too, had book, but found it impossible to
| keep my attention fixed upon it, My mind
was possessed by an uneasy feeling, half
| dread half expectation. | found myself
| listening nervously to fancied sounds, and
| starting when the doctor turned a leaf
At length, overcome by the heat and still
ness. closed my eyes, and unconsciously
| sank into doze. How long it lasted l can
| not tell, but ! woke abruptly, and looked
round with a sense of vague alarm. / glanced
| at the Doctor. He had laid down his book.
and was leaning forward with one arm on
| the dressing-table, looking intently toward
| the door of the bedroom. Instinctively
| held my breath and listened.
Never shall / forget the thrill that ran
/ through my nerves when heard from with
| in muffied knocking sound, and childs
voice, distinct crying piteously: LET me
/ out, let me outp'
| ''Do you hear?' ] whispered, bending for
/ ward 10 my companion.
He inclined his head in assent and mo-
| toned me to be silent, pointing toward the
bed. Its occupant moved uneasily, as if dis
| turbed, muttering some incoherent phrases.
| Suddenly he pushed back his covering and
II 4 n. 4 l.