The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-02-04

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found the key among his possessions. The
son did not like the idea of leaving the
room all ghostly and untenanted, and he
had asked Dell to go there and burn any
papers that his mother might have left and
have the room busted and thrown open.
eI found key in aunt's desk" said Dell,
producing handsome key of antique work
manship. at had parchment label at
tached, The Crypt. ="
Charlie looked puzzled, he had never
heard of the crypt; the word awoke no as
sociations in his mind Miss Richards
went on to relate how, curiosity naturally
excited, she had made an excursion among
the cellars of Ladypriors, to see if she
could find any place locked up, or generally
any mysterious openings. The cellars were
famous brick-vaulted apartments; but there
was nothing answering to Delfs idea OF a
crypt. Then she returned to her search In
Mrs. Lilburn'ss room, and among some
papers she found plan of the old Priery
that once stood in the ground. The plan
was evidently tracing from some ancient
original. and more recent hand had added
the ground plan of the house, which had
been built near the site. A red cross
marked the situation Of the Priory church
or chapel, and here might be expected to
be found the crypt. Dell had puzzled out
the matter, till at last she fixed upon
likely spot for her researches, and now she
was proud to show the result, and led the
way toward a door in the old wall Of ma
sonry, whose strength and solidity seemed
to defy the assaults of time.
Charlie laughed as Dell came to stand
still before the door. 'The old Toulouse !
I know it well. 1 used to keep rabbits
here"
"You did not not possess the spirit of
research, then," said Dell, "For, look y
She pushed open panel at the further
end of the Toulouse, and there opened out
a narrow passage which descended not
many feet in depth; at the end of which
was a massive oaken door, modelled after
an ancient fashion, but still evidently of
modern construction.
Charlie looked puzzled. 81 don't re-
member this" he said.
"Here is the door that fits the key"
said Dell snow, you are the master,
open! l feared my fate and refrained.
This is a business that had better be
kept till daylight said Charles, slight
shudder coming over him. He dreaded he
knew not what. Might it be some discov-
cry that would dim the respect and affec-
ton with which he cherished his mother S
memory? He hated mystery and con-
cealment and here was a matter in which
she could hardly have been thoroughly
candid, for he was sure that his father had
known nothing of such an opening. Dell
also looked pale and nervous, and was glad,
in spite of her curiosity, that the opening
of the crypt was deferred.
The young people raced up to the house
together to get rid of the chill; and Charlie,
making his way unceremoniously through
French window into the drawingroom,
found himself unexpectedly in the presence
of rather large party Of guests. These
were mostly people of the neighborhood-
but what was Paddock doing among them?
He was not surely the sort of man whose
acquaintance Lady Richards, who was Sc
we're and even prudish in her social code,
would care to cultivate. And yet the pair
seemed to be on the very best of terms.
Certainly Paddock was a strikingly hand
some man; dark and swarthy as Spaniard,
with cleaning eyes that had a strange
magnetic effect about them.
Charlie had been accustomed to regard
his aunt as one of the veterans. But she
was not very old after all, and, in evening
dress and with all the advantages of care
full toilet, she was really still a handsome
woman. Paddock was certainly very as
siduous in his attentions to her, and she
seemed uncommonly bright and animated
in consequence. She had hardly word
for Charlie, who was very Indifferent as to
her GOODNESS. He did not like the idea of
Paddock being admitted on terms of init
macy to the Priors. His mother would
never have permitted such thing, free
and gracious as she was 10 all with whom
she came in contact Well if he had the
luck to win with Wayland Smith the Priors
should be itself again, with Dell as its pre-
siding genius.
When the party broke up Paddock, vol
unteered to accompany Charlie to his quar-
tiers. He was in high spirits, and rallied
his companion upon his gloom. Charles
gloom soon turned to anger, as Paddock
began to expatiate upon his feelings toward
Lady Richards. There was touch of
persifage about his discourse that Charlie
resented. Something like quarrel was
imminent, but Paddock kept his temper
wonderfully well. Still, there was bitter
feeling between the two when they parted.
~ shall have to clip my young bantam's
WINGS" said Paddock to himself as he
mounted his dog cart and drove away to-
ward town.
Charlie promised himself that he would
shake himself free from all association with
Paddock and put an end to his visits at
Ladypriors, if only he won the stakes with
"the Smith,"
Before breakfast next morning young
Lilburn went out, hoping to investigate
that matter of the crypt. He knew the