The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-12-31

sign lands, in nE youth. Nov and lhsl
iancied that heard a ntep behind ms
and q voice joining with me In the song
Int when | lOoEhd around was Away
alone.
"The road I'D me up q green hill
crowned with naples, while the hlghwa!
ran around lhi base, with q broad swil
river flowing Just beside 1t, paused
upon the summit to hear the mlrmur o
the water. BeIRre me saw q grass-growr
tomb, whose iEtn door seemed TO hAvl
been closed ioI centuries, whlin Just be-
yond the white stones OF 3 churchysEd
were sleeping peacefully in tho moon
beams"
Well did know that quiet place
Often, during the long hours OF sum
mer's afternoon, had | fingered there
among the NOISY headttones, gazing dowr
upon the road and river below, tWinin(
the roses that grew wild within the en-
closures; or, reading some fayorite book
40 sat Close within the shelter OF the ole
val. But at night always avoided it
it was lonely spot,
cleaned over thecrumbling wall, thu
strange man went gu to say, "aud unused
silently over the sleepsrs who were rest
ing there, How was II with them now i
How was 1t with those whom | had loved
and lOstP Did they remember mo in
their new homer Had they one thought
Of him to VI Om their very memory was a
torture, 30 deeply had he mOurned their
lossP
"While ! asked myselt these questions,
| beard astsp behind ma. Turning quick.
~ around, saw tall mRn, dressed in
black, coming towards me, The door Of
the Tomb was open-had he come from
there? Of
He greeted ma with easy familiarity,
but there was something no uneafthly III
his aspect that could not answer him.
Ills face was pale and thin, his hair long
and black, and hanging upon his shoulders
in neglected masses, hia eyes, black,
gloomy, and terrible. l thought OF the
nystertouspiCture in my study, Feature
by feature II was reproduced here beiole
mo,
"'You may well DO atartled,' he said,
with careless laugh, u come from q
suspicious locality, but make yourself
easy. Though | have just emerged from
the tomb, | do nOt always dwell there
Do you still h6sita!nP There Is hand Of
flesh and blood for you-will you take IL?
"Ha stretched out white, thin and
bloodless hand. A diamond ring OF greut
Iuster spanked on one Of his fingers
Ashamed OF my momentary weakness,
took 1t in mine, but dropped 1t the next
moment with a shudder. II was as cold
IS ice.
ale smiled ssrcaslically,
"'The air Ot that underground chamber
yondef i famous for cooling tho blood, |
believe
"Blt who arc your How camo YOU
there?' s!am,neEGd. The door locke
10 me as II It never could be opened.
Tho easiest thing IN tho world be
said, carelesgly. II you will step inside
with mo, you will see why an there
at Was q mad idea, but the strange
adventure thrilled lne with kind OF
pleasure.
"Lcad on. Twill follow YOU I aald.
ave went down two narrow, NOES.
audstood within the entrance
II the tomb. In tho vault beyond IRE
MAS burning beneath GruCihle, and sew
,ral old and wona'eaton manuscripts were
brown careleBsly around. A Child's col.
in was standing beside the fire but 1t was
,mpty, and only used as a seat. Far back,
n the distance, | could SEQ the moist earth
IN tho sides Of the tomb glisten In the dull
light Of the dying IRE, Like countless eyes
hat were Watching me.
my GlraDge companion lett me stand.
ny beSide the door, and going forward,
ook tho CrVcible from the Are. lie shook
t, looked earnestly Into 1t, poured a
; f,St L. mass lIom y into 9 broad ever
netal with small rod Of iron.
az Z ia In vain. ! have failed again. |
leard him murmur, aLd then the rod fell
rom his hands, and he sat down, lIssltss
md Respondent, on the little coffin.
you are an aSCheinigt,' ! said, sud,
leDIy, thinking had found tho clue to |
liz choice Of 80 strange q retreat.
"'Yes, he answered, looking at me with
interest. For 30 years have been gouk.
ny for that WHICH shsll tyrn all things to |
have meyer found ii yet. But
lever mind, tho day must come, must
ome aud will
HE rose from his seat, raked the hot
shes over the still glowing Coas, put
ruciblo and ever carefully away, aud led |
ne out Of the vault, with sus push Of bis
eemilglY fragile Hand ha SGT tho iron
oor Of the tomb in Its socket, and lSs!eued
!. 1t still looked IS II years had gone by |
inCe Ii had been opened.
"'You havegroat strength l said, sd-
nlringly,
"Aud It has been employed in good |
ausp,' be answered with a hard laugh.
HE fastened the last bolt, and turned
way, saying;
"'All Is safe Till I come again. No one
viii ever think Of looking there for any
idings Of me-
"side by side We took our way down the
ill, and over the lonely graaB.grown road.
We did not speak I'LL wo reached the gate
II my cottage yard. Then he paused, and
eaned over tho fence moment.
"'You have 0 pleasant home he said,
ooking at the window where the taper
yas burning, in readiness Tor my return.
az like 1t, such SO 1t Is. But 1t is too
ate-will you not rest beneath my roof
o.niShtP
"'No, no; my way lies yondsr,' he said,
by the old stone cross.
at 10 lonely road
at Is. And strange stories are told Of
his house sometimCa. Years Ggo, when
iou werO hoy, q man was hung in the
own yonder, and he pointed over the mill.
He lived in this house once, and, would
you believe it2 the fools will have II that
10 10 buried here whore the crossroads
n, ct. But you and l know better.'
"He laughed a .Eorrid laugh, and his
,yes shone green aud banelul Gs he turned
hem on me.
"'Ycs, we know better l answered
luietly, though my very blood seemed
Ihtlled within me.
WHe wrung my hand in his cold fingers,
hNsly goodnight, and strod0
way. hurried along this path that led
% the door. The rusty lock delayed me
moment, and when ! had opened the door
and turned to look after him, he wa1 gone
The moon lhoue clear and bright on road,
md trOp, and hill, but Of him Ehera was no
lIgu llatd down that night with All IN.
quiet heart.
"Myntsry was around ME. Whichever