The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-12-11

His eyes, awakened to new interest, were
looking at mine inquiringly.
I explained at once "What l mean is
this. suspect trick. Somebody has a
spite against the owner of this house
somebody has an interest in keeping it
empty"
Andrew was naturally shrewd As l
spoke, there came into his face new look
of keenness. He smiled, "There has been
queer things done," he observed, with a
cautious impartiality.
"You have been here some weeks" 1
said. "Have you heard anything during
that time about this house, about the
people who own it? lam told they lived
here once"
Thus stimulated, Andrew told me that the
house and grounds had originally belonged
to Lord B, father of the present lord,
whose Park was commanded by our front
windows. On the marriage of favorite
sister with Mr.. Roupel, a man somewhat
beneath her in position, he gave her the
house. Here the married pair lived, in
much unhappiness it was said, and here
their only child, daughter was born.
After running through his wife's money,
the husband died. When left alone, the
widow, and her now grown-up daughter.
determined to let their house, and live
abroad The rent of the furnished house,
with its excellent garden, would bring
then in an income sufficient to enable them
to live quietly in some foreign town. But
while this project was being discussed, the
widow died suddenly and mysteriously.
An inquest was held over her; for strange
suspicious were circulated abroad The
verdict was, that she had died of the family
complaint, heart-disease. But there were
those who still spoke mysteriously about
the circumstances of the death and de-
clared that the poor lady had met with
foul play.
Now, this was the germ of the ghost
story; for it was said far and near that
Mrs. Roupel, if she had really been mur-
dered-and murdered by her own child, as
some dared to whisper-would never rest
in her grave. And when singular appear
ances came and went, and strange sounds
were heard in the house now empty save
for an ancient housekeeper, the suspicion,
scarcely spoken of at first above the breath,
so dark it was and monstrous, was by-and-
by openly discussed.
On this part of the story old Andrew
was very ready to dilate. He warmed to
the theme indeed, and would willingly have
given me, had l desired it, full and par
ticular account of the various people who
from time to time had been driven from
/ the premises. But I, holding still ny
point. that trick had to do with it, ress-ent
ed his fiow Of language, and endeavorNoo.
by close questioping, to find out what he
knew about the daughter Of Mrs. Roupel,
who, if his story were true, was the present
owner of the haunted house.
l elected the following facts. Miss
Roupel was nineteen years of age about the
period of her mothers death. She was
then young lady of high spirit and cheer
full temper; she was accomplished, witty
and unusually attractive in appearance
Thus, in spite of the drawbacks entailed by
poverty, and sad, melancholy mother, the
young lady was not without suitors. The
suit of one of these was, according to hel
mother and herself f. they remembered
their old antecedents and were proud
little short of an impertinence; for the man
was neither more nor less than Lord B-'s
house-stewart. The old housekeeper, to
whom, before he bestowed the house upon
his sister, the old lord had apportioned two
rooms, was Mrs. Weevil, the stewards
mother
1t was natural that Miss Roupel, niece
of his former employer, should reject his
suit with disdain. 1t was perhaps no less
natural that the rejection, embittered by
contempt, should sink deeply into the
stewards soul. The fact was from the
, day he was forbidden the house where his
mother lived, the young man changed
People spoke of his black looks, of his
hard ways, of his cruel cynical speeches,
and some predicted bad end for him.
Meanwhile, Miss Roupel, now left alone
BY her mothers death, married Mr.. Eyer
ton, man, from monetary point of view
, scarcely more eligible than the steward
| He was Lieutenant in the navy; but as
| he had nothing in the world but his pay,
they carried out Mrs. Roupel's plan of let
ting their house furnished, believing il
would bring them in a sufficient income tc
enable the young wife to live in comfort
? while her husband was away from her
But, as Andrew remarkeu, IL Ihis was heA
belief, she must have been often sore
pinched, for the house could have brought
: invery little.
> 1 thanked him for his story. "Now,
1 said, ayou must do something more fol
me. Go to the village at once. Find tbs
carpenter and blacksmith, Tell them
5 want them on important business. There
, must be no delay. l will pay them vel
for their work. Do you understand 2
For the old man was staring at me as
/, though he thought l had taken leave O
i my senses.
, 81 understand" he answered slowly
. "But what will you be wanting with them
ma am ?"
"You will know all in good time They
5 must bring their tools. Now go, Andrew
go ouicklv And mind. Andrew