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

candles fickered on the table. and the change
ful light of the fire lit up and threw into
gloom the dark walls and furniture. Taking
a book, was soon deep in its pages Il was
an Old collection Of legends and romances OF
Spain One tale took my fancy. IL related
/ how certain Don Alphonso made search
IN the Alhamb-a in Granada, and how, after
, many strange adventures, at length was sue
cessful in breaking the charm that held a
great treasure guarded by enchanted Moors.
and became possessed of the whole. l be-
came deeply interested il ths Old World
legendS After while / closed the book,
and leaning back in my chair, fell into 8
brown study. Suddenly became aware OF
strange thing. An old man, whom Knew
70 be my uncle, though had only seen him
once, was standing by the cabinet, looking
inteDtly at the books On the shelf. l stared at
him with al my eyes, and yet. though full Of
amazement, felt no fear. After short time
he took down book, opened it, and seemed
20 make mark inside. He then replaced it,
and took down the next, and, by slow de-
gress, went through most of the library;
Suddenly heard q loud knock ct the door,
and, breaking tie spell that bound NE, l
started up and confronted Mrs. Griggs
Turning TO the cabinet, saw no one there;
the books were on the shelf, and | noticed
the empty space from which | had taken the
Spanish legends. For o time / could do
nothing but stare ct Mrs. Griggs, who kept
courtesying and asking ne If would take
any supper Asking her il any one was in
the house except her husband, she said no,
and that the door had been locked for more
than an hour.
81 ia r-T-N
night, l seated myself by the fire, and, on
thinking quietly over the strange event, came
TO the conclusion that l must have fallen
asleep and dreamed II
4 sudden thought struck NE that perhaps
might find something in the books about
which my uncle had seemed SO bDy. Look
ing at the backs, saw that each book was
marked with letter stamped in gold under
the title. Beginning at the left hand vct-
ume, which was marked A, each was marked
in alphabetical order. ending with the last
volume. e. Looking over the pages Of the
first volume could find nothing written In
It, the only mark being red cross on one OF
the leaves. Reading this particular part
threw no light on the mystery, as the text
related TO legal matters about the possession
Of land Having no more relish for reading
that night l retired TO my bed in the next
room, and soon forget my uncle in a sound
sleep.
As time went on, became more resigned
TO my new home, but still found it very dull;
and my occupations being so limited, the
days dragged slowly By. l made few &C
quaintances, but found no congenial COM
Panion to Eli up my empty hours. Spring
blossoned into summer, and summer, with
han
an event occurred which turned the current
Of my life.
One morning in September I received
letter from Tom Saxon, an old chum and
school fellow, saying be would like to spend
4 few weeks with me in Sussex, If agreeable.
I was delighted for two reasons: because
Tom was a good fellow and because Toms
pretty sister Clara and l were waiting till
my prospects would entitle me to hope for
favorable reception at the hands of Mr..
Saxon, senior. Yves in a fever Of tnpa-
tience TO meet Tom. I went to the station
long before the train was due, and when It
did come in l could have rushed into his
arms After dinner our time was taken up
with questions and answers on both sides.
BY the by, Frank" said Tom, suddenly,
Etvou mentioned something strange about
YOUR uTSN lkSLaG L6A S-NOl1--~NS WILL C-A
uncle. Tell me all about It "
He listened attentively while l related my
Dire. L When / had finished he arose and
going 10 the cabinet took one Of the books
fren the shelf He looked over il carefully,
and then inspected more Of the volumes
When he had spent some time in this way,
he came back 70 the fire with disappointed
look
Can't make anything out Of the books"
said he, standing with his back TO the blaze
and with his hands thrust deep in his
pockets. except that the old boy had & Pc
culiar fancy to letter the backs Of the
volumes wica the alphabet instead Of nun
bering them Some Of the pages are marked
with a red cross, but tee matters On them
don't appear to throw any light on the sub
Jet"
After giving vent to his feelings in vigor-
Gus pulls at his pipe, Tom fixed his eyes
thoughtfully on the old desk on the table
This seems q curious desk Perhaps you
NAV have overlooked some clew to the mys-
terv. contained in il Would you mind my
looking into itF'
opened the desk, but we could find moth
ing Of consequence il II.
You haven't looked in the secret drawer
sid Tom. All desks have one Let ne try
ny hand" Suiciug the action TO the word, he
gave the bottom o. the desk such blow that
q small compartment which had escaped my
notice Cow open, and something fell out with
6 ringing sound on the floor. Tom uttered g
satisfied sound and picked up I key OF curl
Gus and antique workmanship. This will
likely unlock the mystery, since your uncle
seems 70 have put It away so carefully"
We started on d voyage Of discovery over
the old house. Many Of the cupboards ard
boxes were unlocked, and those which were
fastened could be opened by some Of the keys
with which TIE lawyer had furnished ne
After q long hunt we gave tie thing up as
bad job. Tired out, #e retired TO rest, and
forgot our disappointment in sleep.
Next morning, after breakfast, Tom COM
Iaeaced . sketch OF the front OF the mansion,
ct which be worked hard till dinner time. IN
the afternoon we went for walk Thus a
weaa, went by, varied only by little fishing
IN the pool The picture was finished All
another begun One afternoon Tom said hs
should ike to have another shy st the uys
ferrous library Il have been thinking il
over all the week, ard think have made
discovery. You VIII notice on looking
through tie books carefully, only one page
il each IS marked, ard that all the MARKS
occCr IN the first score or SO OF Leaves IN each
volume. Now, what set me thinking wss the
whin Of your uncle having the alphabet
marked OF the back OF the books. This one
marked : crossed under the number o.
page 10; the next book, B, under number 5;
Z. under number l ; ., under number IS; :,
under number 5, ard T, under number s
Now, taking the nunoers Of the page 70 no
present corresponding letters Of tee alphabet,