Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-13
Ny INHERITANCE.

MesSrs. Pounce, Parchment & Co. Old
Square, Lincoln's Inn. he viii hear something
TO his advantage" This brief note in a legal
hand astonished ne, the above named Frank
Heathcote. one morning on sitting down 70
modest breakfast To hear Of anything TO
nv advantage was surprising and delightful,
as | was unfortunately ons Of the unem-
ployed, with little expectation Of something
turning up
An hour or two later saw ne searching in
Lincoln's Inn for the Offices OF Pounce &
Co. On finding the house I duly presented
myself Mr.. Pounce had not arrived; but
would l step in AID see Mr.. Parchnenta The
lawyer did not belle his name, for have
seldom seen 50 dry and yellow looking man
On presenting ny note, Nj Parchment sur
veyed me in silence for few minutes. so
you are the nephew Ct the late Mr.. Horace
Oldcastle, young gentleman, | presurneT
| replied had that honor.
ALLOW me 70 congratulate you on your
good fortune, said the lawyer with lurk-
ing smile. Opening desk. he produced the
copy Of a viii, by which nv lanented uncle
left ne Hernruere Place, an old hall in Sus-
sex, on condition that l should occupy it.
Pray. sir" said ], ''can you give me any IL
formation respecting this propertyF
The hail." replied the lawyer, is an il
teresting place from an artists point Of view,
but the situation is Just a trife secluded; and
the building IS, an afraid, 4 little out Of
repair; but small outlay would render il
habitable, and doubtless you will soon get
over the loneliness"
Being furnished with the necessary creden-
tials, I set cut for Sussex Hernnere Place
was some five or SIX miles from the nearest
railway station; SO, having ny effects packed
IN a knapsack, l thought | might as well
walk that distance. The way lay along e
beautiful bend Of the South Downs. After
climbing q long gradual ascent that wound
round . spur Of the Downs, I reached tho
summit The view that opened out was wild
and splendid Long slopes Of flower span
gled turf alternated with dense patches of
furze, while on every side the ground rose
and fell in wave Ike szeils.
lsoon came 20 the rusty gates Of Hernmere
Place. The house was Of brick, in the Tudor
style, from the signs Of decay, evidently OF
great age. 4 moss covered buttressei wall
extended on both sides Of the gate and shut
in the front Of the house completely.
Entering, | came to what had once been
the lawn, but was now q wilderness Of weeds.
The path leading to the hall door was damp
and grass worn, and the aspect Of the whole
place was picturesque, but melancholy.
There was no sign Of life or welcome in the
old house, many Of thu window shutters
being closed The walls were blotched and
lchen covered, and in some places long
struggling branches Of ivy hung in neglected
fesroons Going round the house, I came to
q tangled and overgrown garden, at the far
Their side Of which. through al open wicket,
! could make out an old man busy with
small patch Of vegetables. On presenting
myself TO this venerable person, who was the
custodian, Grlggs by name, l was welcomed
ia a somewhat peculiar manner. NJ new
acquaintance first runmaged II the pocketof
his coat, which lay on u wheelbarrow, and
produced an antique pair Of spectacles, which
he presently adjusted Looking me very
attenrively in the face for some time, he az
length said: You De main loike old Muster
OIicastla l moind him well when he was as
Young as you But walk in, sir, and my
missus VIII get you q bit OF sumulat to eat
Putting on his cost, tbs old fellow bobbled
CD the steps leading TO the garden door Of the
house.
Inside the signs Of age were, Z anything.
more apparent The Old wainscoted passage
vas hung with cobwe5s, and our footsteps
echoed loudly along the stone floor. Passing
up a twisted staircase, we entered a small
room on the first ioor.
This was the room in which your uncle
spent most Of his time, and II was here he
died, said Griggs
I gazed around, and felt a sense OF dread
creep over NE. The walls were paneled with
dark oak, along one side was an old cabinet,
black with age, and on 4 shelf above It was
arranged q small collection OF ancient look
Ing books. Close 70 the window was q writ
inS table on which stood AZ Old desk. \
few high backed chairs were placed by the
walls, and some ancestral portraits looked
down with ewes that seemed 70 follow my
every movement. By the fireplace stood a
capacioUs arm chair. shut in WITH an Old
screen covered with stamped leather
Meanwhile Mrs Gr.Cgs, IN ancient dame
Of guarled and knOc1sd aspect, was endeav-
s,ring TO make fire blaze IL the rusty CRATE.
Accomplishing this, II course Of time q plain
meal was set before ne, and l was left IN
peace 10 discuss It. When l had finished
made a closer inspection Of the contents %
the room a cupboard IL the wall was filed
with old lumber Of various descriptions.
Opening the cabinet with one OF the keys
given to me by the lawyer, I found drawers
iczl manner. a pair Of silver mounted pistols
OF 6ygoue date, some odds and ends Of Gu
r!osities. ouo nothing o. any specla! interest
or value Al length | opeRsd small drawer
with the smallest key OF the bunch and took
ont a sealed PACKET, which wcs addressed 10
me. christening IL eagerly, i found It 70
contain miniature OF a lady and child, and
also short letter watch ran as fellows:
NEPHEW FRAxK-I leave 70 you TIE old house,
which has beeu in our family since IL Was bulk
Though II Is cssolscs enough COW. L once echoed
the voices OF those very der % ne See tkGt ycO
DO aot s5l.Ter anything 70 oe destroyed parted
il anger WIKI your mother, ny Only sister; but
row wo1ld prove Il you. the only remaining de-
scea3.ct q the cd house. ars worldly 70 bring
back its former state Patience and perssverance
are necessary. bet ycu strive y0l VII u the end
lie rewarded ny blessing res. CT yea. Z you
obey koRAcz OlDcAsTLE
After reading the letter several times I
rang for Old Griggs % try % set some i1for-
nation about MY uncle
sAIEe were q close nzn. were Muster Old
cas-le.n said he, living here by himself since
as wife and child died, years ago. he left
ne Old Place exactly as IL was when they
grere alive, and could rot bear 20 see srr2a-
-erS Ny idea IS THAI the trouble made hin g
1T Queer. He caused the west wing 70 be
smut IN: end tsey do say as some O. tie Old
castles walk there. never see any Il en-,
hut there's strange noises O noiGhts,'
made an inspection Ct the house, and
pitched upon & bedroom next 20 ry u1cle's
study as being most convenient. Mrs GriSgs
Il FIRE there, and bringing n some bed
clothes, made the room IN a httle while as