The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-05-12

of his appearance, seemed rather
doubtful.
Half g dozen vague conjectures
flashed through nv mind. as | CLAN
ced at bis face, and noticed the rest
less. hunted look, which told of
some wearying dread or anxiety.
After moments hesitation | as
sented, and resolved to conduct
him myself on his tour of inspec-
ton.
q think | have met you before, y
| said, feeling curious to know
whether he reeollected 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 floer, | led the way
upstairs. 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 around the
walls, his eyes resting on the door
of the box closet.
"Thst is d bath or dressing room,
| suppose" he said, nodding toward
it.
No, only a place for lumber.
Perhaps | ought to tell you that II
is said to be haunted" | added, af-
fecting to speak carelessly, while |
kept my eyes on his face.
He started and turned towards
me.
Haunted-by what?" he inquir-
ed with faint sneer. Nothing
worse than rats and mice | expect. "
There is tragicsl story connect
ed with that place" | answered de-
liberately. at is said that an IN
fortunate child was shut up there to
die of fear, in the dark"
Thee rushed to his face, then
receded, leaving it deadly pale.
Indeed I" ne faltered. And do
you mean to say that he-the child
has been seen ?"
No, but he has been heard knock
ing within, and crying to be let out.
The fact has been confirmed by ey-
cry tenant who has occupied the
house since"
/ 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 expressions from
his face.
Good Heavens" | heard him
mHtter. "can this be true? Can this
be the reason why / am drawn back
to the place in spite of myself?"
:" 4 mysterious story" be COM
mented dryly. Il do not believe a
word of it myself, but | should
hardly care to take house with
such an uncanny reputation ! think
| need not trouble you any further"
As he turned toward the door |
saw bis figure sway as if he were
falling. He put his hand to his
side, with a gasp of pain. blush
shade gathering over MS counte-
nance.
Are you ill?" 1 exclaimed in
alarm.
lit is nothing. l have a weak
ness of the heart, and am subject to
these attacks May | ask you for a
glass of water?'
| left the room 10 procure it, and
when | returned l found that he
had fallen upon the bed in a dead
swoon.
l hastily dispatched a servant for
DR.. Cameron, who happened to be
at home, and he came Immediately.
He recognized my visitor at once.
and glanced at me significantly. |
explained what bad hap
pened, while he bent over the un-
man, and barred MS chest
10 listen to his heart beats.
When he raised himself his face
was grave.
is he in danger ?" asked quick
ly.
Not in immediate danger, but
the next attack will probably be his
last. His heart, | fear, is mortally
1t was nearly an hour before Van
deleur awoke, and then only to par
tial consciousness. he lay in sort
of stupor, bis limbs nerveless. his
hands damp and cold.
1T is impossible to remove him
in this condition" the doctor said
- | fear he must stay here for the
night. l will send you some one to /
watch him"
:" Don't irouble-I intend TO sit up
With him myself" / replied, speak 1
lng with an impulse | could hardly |
explain.
He looked at me keenly over his /
;pectacles.
. Should you like me to share I
FOUR watch ?n he inquired after a
moment.
II should be only he TOO glad of |
7our company, if you can come
without inconvenience"
He nodded.
/ must leave you now, but | will /
'eturn in an hour" be then said.
Three hours had passed away it
vas nearly midnight. The night |
vas oppressively close and profound
y still. The bedroom window stood
vide open, but not a breath stirred
he curtains. Outside all was vague
md dark, for neither moon nor stars
we're visible.
Vandeleur still lay, half dressed,
N the bed, but now asleep. His
leep, regular breathing sounded DIS
inctly in the silence. DR.. Cameron
at near the dressing table, reading
y the light of a shaded lamp. /,
90, had a book, but found it i'm
,ossible to keep my attention fixed
Ipon it. My mind was possessed
y an uneasy feeling. half dread,
Ialf expectation. ] found myself
istening nervously to expected
ounds, and starting when the doc
Or turned a leaf
At length, overcome by the heat
nd stiffness, closed my eyes. and
sank into a doze.