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

"Mr. Dysart," he said, gravely,
!" You viii be surprised 10 learn that
your daughter is not the first who
has had this strange experience.
Previous tenants of The Cedars have
heard exactly the sounds which she
describes.
l pushed my chair back half a
yard in my astonishment.'
Impossible m
I He nodded emphatically.
1T is a fact, though | don't pre-
tend to explain it. These NANTES
tations have been noticed at inter
walls for the last three or four years,
ever since the house was occupied
by Captain Vandeleur. whose
nephew
Vandeleur / interrupted ;
"why, he was client OF ours He
insured his nephew's life in our.of-
flee for large amount, and"
" And few months afterward the
child suddenly and mysteriously
died ?" nay companion put in. A
singular coincidence, to say the
least of it.
So singular / acquiesced, that
we thought it case for inquiry,
particularly as the ex-captain did
not bear the best of characters, and
was known to be over head and ears
in debt. But | am bound to say
that after the closest investigation
nothing was discovered to suggest a
suspicion OF foul play"
Nevertheless, there had been foul
play" was the doctors reply.
You don't mean that he muir
dered the boyl that pretty. fragile
looking little fellow"
No, he did not murder him, but
be let him die" DR.. Cameron re-
Joined. Perhaps you are not
aware" he continued, that the lit
tie lad was somewhat feeble in mind
as well as body? | attended him
more than once, at Vandeleur's re-
quest, and | found that among 9TH
er strange fears and antipathies be
had a morbid dread of darkness.
To be left alcne in a dark room for
only a few minutes was enough to
throw him into a paroxysm of nerT-
Gus excitement. His uncle-who,
bv the way, profes>ed more affection
for the little fellow than 1 could
quite believe in, when | noticed how
the child shrank from him-con-
suited me as to the bes: means of
overcoming this weakness. | strong
ly advised him to humor it for the
present, warning him that any men
tai shock might endanger the boys
reason, or even his life. | little
thought those words of mine would
prove his death-warrant."
What do you mean ?"
Only few days afterward, Van
deleur locked him up all night in
dark closet, where he was found the
next morning, crouehing against the
wall, his hands clenched, his eyes
fixed and staring-dead." 3"
GOOD Heavens. how horrible !
But no work of this was mentioned
ct the inquest ?"
"No; and | did not hear of it n.y.
self until long afterward, from a wo-
man who had been Vandeleur's
housekeeper, but was TOO much
afraid OF him to betray him at the
time. From her, too, / learned with
what refined cruelty the lads nerves
had been shaken aud his health IN
dermined If the intention makes
the deed, James Vandeleur was a
murderer.
| was silent for a moment, think
ing, with an uncomfortable thrill, of
Ethel's dream.
"I wish / had never entered this
ill-omened house l exclaimed at
length. Il dread the effect of this
revelation on my daughters mind"
Why need you tell her?" he
questioned. My advice is to say
nothing more about it. The sooner
she forgets the subject the better
Send her away to the seaside; a
change of air and scene will soon
efface it from her memory"
what has become of Vandeleur? =?
l inquired. Il have heard nothing
of him since We paid the policy"
q" He has been living abroad, | be-
lieve-going to the dogs, no doubt.
But be is in England now" the doc
tor added "or else it was his fetch
which | saw at your gate the other
night"
AT our gatel" | echoed in aston
isnment. What the deuce was he
doing there?'
9" He seemed to be watching the
house. 1t was last Sunday evening
| had been dining with friends at
Richmond, and on my way back.
between IL and y o clock, | noticed
a man leaning over the gate of The
Cedsrs. On hearing footsteps he |
turned and walked away, but net
before had caught glimpse of his
face in the moonlight"
And You are sure it was he p
Almost certain-though he was
greatly altered for the worse. have
a presentiment, do you know, that
you will see him or hear of ham
before long," he added
.houghtfully, as be shook hands and
walked away.
| lost no time in following his ad-
vice with regard to Ethel, whom l
to Scarborough in charge
1f NV married sister, few days la
er.
l had taken a hearty dislike to
The Cedars, and resolved to get it
,ff my hands as soon as might be.
Until another tenant could be
iound, however, continued to oc-
,upy it. going to and from town as
before.
One evening | was sitting on the
avn, smoking an after-dinner cigar,
md reading EtheFs last letter, which
lutte reassured me as to her health
md spirits, when our .edate old
,ousekeeper presented herself with
he information that a party" had
'alled to see the house.
A gentleman or lady ?" inquir-
ID.
A gentleman, sir +; but he didn't
1--WE his name"