Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-21

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lovely calm and GOODNESS of the scene were
delightful. But he soon shook off his lux
urious lethargy, and, strolling down to the
river loosened sklff from its mornings,
padded slowly up the stream.
Charlie did not paddle very far, for,
coming to the little creek that led to the
boat-house of Ladypriors, he lodged under
the chain that hung across as warning to
rowing oarsmen, and presently shot his
skiff into the calm and quiet retreat,
where half dozen boats swayed gently to
and fro in the ripple caused by the new
arrival, while soft lights danced upon the
walls and the evening radiance shone
through the overhanging foliage.
Soon light football caught Charles
quick ears. "She is coming-my own, my
sweet" he murmured, and he sprang up
the steps to meet and clasp in his arms his
sweet Cousin Dell.
"Oh, Charlie" she cried, breathless from
the hearty salutations of her adorer. 81
am so glad to see you again, and yictori-
GUS, too p
eyes, I've scored pretty well, Dell. But
the best news is this: The weights are
out for the Jubilee Stakes, and Wayland
Smith is in at six stone six
"Oh, the dear thing cried Dell, en-
Enthusiastically. 81 am glad, if it is any
thing good But why is it goodY'
"Why, it's just nothing o him in the
way of weight" explained Charlie, "and
his own lad, George, can ride him without
wasting, and it will be a fine thing for
George if he wins, for it will bring him
into notice"
"And for you, what will it do for you,
Charle?" asked Dell, anxiously. You
are always thinking about other people
first, you dear boy"
ooh, it will do a heap for me-" said
Charlie. "The stakes are five thousand
clear, and have ventured five hundred on
HIM at ten to one, which is another five
thousand"
"You will win ten thousand pounds,
Charlie, Oh, | shall pray for Wayland
Smith"
Don't" said Charlie, nervously "it
might not be lucky" He had vein of
superstition about him, that youth, al
though not credulous in most things.
Z" But, Charlie, what a lot it will do for
you p continued Miss Richards.
\ heap" cried Charles. "Why, it
will clear off all the old scores and put
things straight. l say, Dell, if | win, |
shall give the old lady nstice to quit and
come back to live at Ladypriors Not the
young one, though, Dell-no, | shall keep
her."
"Deliciousr cried Bell, resigning her
mouth to be kissed. But will it ever
come to pass"
81 expect not" said Charlie with
sigh. " don't think it's lucky to build
upon things. Tomorrow morning |
shall have a telegram from Snafiles: The
Smith coughing and had a blister or else
Hit his leg and pulled up lamep be-
lleve those fellows keep stock of calami-
ties on hand to keep ones spirits down"
1t is trying, said Dell, sympathetic
ally. But, Charlie" she continued in a
lowered voice, have made discovery.
You know that you gave me the key of
your mothers room"
This was the late Mrs. Lilburn's own
room that her husband could not bear to
enter after her death. He had locked it
up just as she had left it, and Charlie had
found the key among his possessions. The
son did not like the idea of leaving the
room all Fghostly 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.
81 found a key in Aunt's desk" said
Dell, producing handsome key of antique
workmanship. at had a parchment label
attached, 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 gener-
| ally any mysterious openings. The cellars
\ were famous brick-vaulted apartments but
there was nothing answering to Dell's idea
Of 4 crypt. Then she returned to her
search in Mrs. Lilburn's room, and among
some papers she found a plan of the old
| Priory that once stood in the ground. The
plan was evidently a tracing from some
ancient original, and a 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 Pri-
DRY church or chapel, and here might be
expected to be found the crypt. Dell had
puzzled ont 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 door in the old
wall of masonry, whose strength and solid
| ity seemed to defy the assaults of time
Charlie laughed as Dell came to a stand
still before the door. THE old Toulouse
| know it well. I used to keep rabbits
here"
"You did not possess the spirit of re-
search them" said Dell. ''For, lookr
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 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 feared my fate and RETAINED"
"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 mothers
memory? He hated mystery and conceal
ment, and here was matter in which she
could hardly have been thoroughly can
| uiIl' lol he was SURF tHdl MS idIuer ndu
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 10 get rid of the chill; and Char
lie, making his way unceremoniously
through French window into the draw
ing-room, found himself unexpectedly in
the presence of a rather large party of
guests. These were mostly people of the
neighborhood-but what was Paddock do
ing among them? He was not surely the
sort of a man whose acquaintance Lady
Richards, who was severe and even pru-
dish in her social code, would care to cult
vate. And yet the pair seemed to be on
the very best of terms. Certainly Paddock
was strikingly handsome man; dark and
swarthy as Spaniard, with cleaning eyes
that had 4 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
| nj tni1at Oh 81