The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-15

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US. Afterward my mother died, and my
sister and I were sent away to school
AS long rs my fether lived we spent oul
vacations at home. Eut he survived my
mother only two years. After his death
VIC made our home with an aunt in Dub
lin, and Glendale Hall was closed. AT
ter finished my course, we spent three
We lrs in trave'. After an absence of live
wears I returned to Glendale to find my
playmate, whose mem Try had cherished
during ali the years of our separation,
beautiful and accomplished young lady
She and my sister resumed their former
friendship; but she seemed shy of me,
and before had an opportunity 10 open
my heart to her, she sought refuge from
her fathers cruelty in a watery grave.
During this recital We had left the
boat, and were now picking our way
along the uneven path which led to the
house. It was quite late when We
reached the hall, and we soon separated
for the night.
Ilay down, but not to sleep. The oc-
currence of the evening filed my mind,
and banishcd sleep from my eyelids: !
longed to fathom the mystery. l had no
faith in the supernatural, and l no more
believed the boat we had seen was rowed
by spirit, than 1 believed my elf to be
ghost. 1 could not help but think that
it was the unfortunate girl whom my
friend was mourning as dead; and that
she was in hiding somewhere among her
native rocks, though how she managed
to cvade pursuit. and vanish so suddenly,
was more than I could make out. My
convictions were strengthened by the
fact that the body had never been re-
covered, though the old lord had offered
large rewards, and every peasant in the
country had been on the lookout. Before
I went to sleep I had formed plan, and
determined to investigate the matter the
next night; with my friends help if he
were willing; if not, alone.
When disclosed my project to Lord
Glendale, he shook his head obviously,
and tried to dissuade me, assuring me
that he had tried many times to capture
the mysterious rover; but always in vain.
But seeing that was determined to 60,
he was too gallant to refuse to accom-
pany me. About sunset we took our
way to the lake, and embarked in sep
arate boats. I felt that little could be
accomplished by pursuit. 1t was this
mystertou, vanishing we must prevent
if possible. So I determined to take
my place near where the boat had d,s-
aprearcd. Lord Glendale, who was a
rapid rover, was to wait on the opposite
side and, at the right NON MT give
chase, while I would stand guard over
the myster ols rock The evening was
not as bright as the preceding one had
becn, for the sky was overcast by hlmy
clouds which partially obscured the
moon. / pushed my skiff as much into
the shadow as possible, and waited
in silence. In a few minutes l heard
tn, sound of splashing waters. 1t
seemed to come from behind the rocks.
Presently boat, rowed by the most
beautiful creature I had ever seen,
parted the vines which hung down
over the rocks near by, and shot away
across the lake and down the stream. L
st,lioned myself at the exact spot
whence the boat had emerged, and
waited anxiously for my friend to act.
It was sometime before the mysterious
boat returned; but I waited patiently,
oars in hand. At last it came slowly
back. Lord Glendale was on the alert
and Immediately gave chase, and pursued
and pursuer shot towards me with in
credible rapidity. tried to keep down
nv rising excitement. I felt that now
or never was the time, and crouched
low, fear 'ng that she might see me and
dart of in another direction. She was
evidently wearied with her long row,
for nv friend WAS close upon her. She
did not see me until her skiff touched
nine. Quick as fa,h she turned but
we were both upon her, a1d, by some
unlucky movement, her frail bark was
overturned, aud, with a wild cry for
help, she sank out OF signt.
Glendale was in the water in an in
slant. He caught her the first time
she rose, and we soon had her In the
boat. She was no ghost, but dripping,
half drowned, frightened girl. she re-
preached US for moesting her, aud
begged piteously to be released. Glen
dale W apped the dripping form in my
coat, assuring her that we wee friends
and would be most happy to serve her:
She Sc med to recognize him, and felt
sure from their conversation that she was
indeed Lucia, the lost heiress of i.arri-
moor. As tie other boats had floated
away, Glendale explained to her that it
would be necessary for us to convey her
to her place of ABIDE, aud that we must
60 quickly, for both of them were drip
ping wet. To this she seemed reluctant
to consent, but, being reassured of our
goodwill, she showed us an opening in
the rocks entirely concealed BY over
hanging vines. Through this we passed
into shallow channel 1t was a very
singular place. This channel, enclosed
between two high ahd rocky banks, was
about three rods long, and, perhaps, half
as wide in the middle, narrowing at each
end, its inner wall became continuous
with the shore of the lake. Our fair
O ide dire ted u, to the upper end.
where we foun a natural landing, viii b
Id up to door n the rocks In answer
to her call this door was opened by an
aged woman. She seemed very much
frightened on seeing US; but after few
words from Lucia she bsde us enter, and
busted herself making fire and other
wise ministering to our comfort.
The apartment was low, but roomy,
and divided by screens into parlor,
sleeping rooms aud kitchen. While
Glendale dried his dreuched garments,
and we drank the cheering cup of tea
prepared for Us by the old woman. Lucia
told her story, which was briefly this: