The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-03-20
Select Story.
HUGH DARRELL'S REVENGE.

The funeral rites were over; the Grape
had been taken from the door; night was
gathering around the house of mourning,
but still Helen Ashley sat in her heavy
Grape robes, gazing idly into the fire and
thinking of the troubled spirit that had
passed away.
A disappointed and embittered woman
had old Miss Darrell been, from the day
her wild nephew-the only creature for
whom she showed any affection-had run
away to sea. In all the years that had
passed since then, every communication
from him had been laid aside unopened,
and never had his name passed her lips till
the night she lay dying. Then the hard
heart softened.
"My boy, Hugh" she murmured, twice,
''after all, you will have your fathers
home"
Had she been able she would certainly
have altered her will, Helen Ashley thought.
Hwho to q stranger Dangerfeld gives,
Give him a grave-ifa Darrell lives
The threatening old couplet haunted
her. She had heard the servants repeat it,
and whisper tales of the disinherlted
nephew's fierce temper. All seemed to
think that her position on his return would
be by no means an enviable one. What
was that? Surely she heard step on the
gravel? The next minute the long French
window opened, and man stepped in the
darkness
~Can I see Miss Darrell?" he said, ad-
vancing into the room.
After moments hesitation, Helen re-
piled;
II represent Miss Darrell.
"But not to me- he rejoined, quickly
sI am Hugh Darrell. | heard of my
aunt's illness on landing, and l have trav-
eled day and night to see her once more.
Surely 1 am not too late ?" he added, as
Helen made no answer.
awe buried her to-day" said the young
girl.
The intruder covered his face and turned
aside
ssThis, then, was the last of the 'dour
Darrells," " as they were called" thought
Helen, studying him covertly from beneath
her long lashes. An enemy to fear or a
friend to the death, she decided, noting
the easy strength of his figure, the square,
determined jaw and firm set mouth. Then
she became aware that the strangers deep,
stormy eyes were fixed on her.
"You must be Miss Ashley, of whom l
heard-a great DEAL" he said suddenly;
and his tone told he had heard nothing in
her favor. "The young lady who sup
planted me in my aunt's affections.
Helen flushed guiltily.
"No one could do that, l think. She
never really cared for me, although she left
me everything.
aShe left you everythingf' he echoed;
well no doubt you worked it, scarcely
troubling himself to conceal the low esteem
in which he held her, 'and l do not grudge
| it to you. All l care for is Dangerfeld,
and that she was bound to leave me"
CHOW bound, Mr. Darrell?'
He frowned at what seemed to him tri-
vial curiosity, but answered:
"Bound first by promise made at my
1 fathers death-bed that, come what might
his son should have Danger6eld- bound
also by family custom, which my aunt
would be the last woman to forsake; fol
twelve generations the estate, though moi
eptailed, has been in the family, Mis-
Ashley"
How could she tell him9
He took up his hat
ssYou will excuse my unceremonious en-
trance he said, in tone rather naughty
than apologetic. "Good night"
Better-far better-.that be should learr
the truth from her than from some strag
gler at the village inn.
aStay moment; I-I-must tell yor
something" Then, desperately, "Mis
Darrell left Dangerfeld to me"
There was pause. A terrible chang
swept over Darrell's face as he realized thu
meaning of her words.
aYou dare to tell me that stranger own
Dangerfeld while Darrell liyesr h
muttered between his clinched teeth.
His heavy hand rested upon her shoul
der, his eyes flashed into hers. Wha
wonder if Helen trembled before this un
governable rage, and laid her hand upol
the bell.
The movement brought him to his senses
aNo need of summoning help. | ma
be as they say, the worst of the 'dour DaI
rells, but L do not hurt woman. oh
that man were in your place ?" he adde
savagely.