The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-10-20


| IN peace to discuss it. The walk having
given me fine appetite, fell to, nothing
10th. When had finished, made closer
| inspection OF the contents Of the room.
cupboard In the wall was filled with ole
lumber OF various descriptions. Openini
the cabinet with one OF the keys given !,
me by the lawyer, I found drawers filled
with old accounts done UP In a methodica
manner, pair of silver-mounted pistols o
q bygone date, some odds and ends OF curl
osities, but nothing OF any special interes
or value. At length opened a small drawe
with the smallest key Of the bunch, ant
took out sealed packet, which was ad
dressed to me. Unfastening it eagerly,
found 1t to contain miniature Of a lady
and child, and also short lotter, which raj
as follows:
NEPHEW FRAvK-1 leave you the old house
which has been in our family since II was built
| Though tits desolate enough now, 10 once cchoot
the voices Of those very dear to me- See that 20,
do not suffer any thing to be destroyed. Ipartet
In anger with your mother, my only sister; bu
| now would prove II you, the only remaining
descendant Of the old house, are worthy Il
bring back Its former state. Patience and per
severance are necessary; but II you strive, yor
| will In the end be rewarded. My blessing res
| on you, II you obey. HORACE OLDOAsTLE.
| After reading the letter several times,
rang for old Griggs, to try to get some in
formation about my uncle.
HE were close man. were Muster Old
| CASTLE" said he, ''living here by himsel!
since his wife and child died years ago. Ht
left the old place exactly as 1t was wher
they we're alive, and could not bear to SEE
strangers. My idea is that the trouble
made him bit queer. He caused the wes
wing to be shut up; and they do say as some
OF the old Oldcastes walks there. Inevei
see any Of IN; but there's strange noises o
noights."
made an inspection Of the house and
pitched upon a bedroom next to my uncle's
study as being most convenient. Mrs
Griggs lit a fire there, and bringing in some
bedclothes, made the room in little while
| as comfortable as circumstances would per.
init. The wind had now increased to a gale
| and heavy drops Of rain dashed against the
window. Returning to my uncle's study,
settled myself before the fire to enjoy q
snug evening before turning in for the
night The old couple, who occupied some
rooms In distant part Of the house, hav-
ing retired, felt myself cut off from the
world. A pair Of candles flickered on the
table, and the changeful light Of the fire lit
up and threw into gloon the dark walls
and furniture. Taking book, was soon
deep in its pages. It was an old col
lection Of legends and romances Of Spain.
One tale took my fancy. It related how
certain Don Alfonso made q search
in the Alhambra in Granada, and how, after
many strange adventures, at length was
successful In breaking the charm that held
a great treasure guarded by enchanted
Moors, and became possessed of the whole.
became deeply interested in the old world
legends. After awhile closed the book,
and leaning back in my chair, fell into a
brown-study. Suddenly became aware Of
strange thing. An old man, whom knew
to be my uncle though I had only seen him
once, years ago, was standing by the cabi-
net, looking intently at the books ON the
shelf. I stared at him with all my eyes, and
yet, though full Of amazement, I felt no
fear. After short time he took down a
book, opened it, and seemed to make a mark
inside. He then replaced it, and took down
the next, and, by slow degrees, went through
most Of the library. Suddenly, heard a
loud knock at the door, and breaking the
spell that held me, started up and con-
fronted Mrs. Griggs. Turning to the cabinet,
1 saw no one there; the books were on the
shelf, and noticed the empty space from
which lad taken the Spanish legends. For
a OiAlO COulu uO uOuuiuk UuV oVdLO dU MID.
Griggs, who kept courtesying and asking
me If would take any supper. Asking her
If any one was in the house except her hus-
band, she said no, and that the door had
been locked for more than an hour.
Dismissing the old woman with good
night, seated myself by the fire, and on
thinking quietly over the strange event,
came to the conclusion'thatI must have fall
en- asleep and dreamt It.
A sudden thought struck me that perhaps
might find something In the books about
which my uncle had seemed so busy. Look
ing at the backs, saw that each book was
marked with letter stamped in gold under
the title. Beginning at the left hand volume,
which was marked A, each was marked in
alphabetical order, ending with the last vol
umeZ. Looking over the pages Of the first
volume, could find nothing written in 1t,
the only mark being red cross on one of
the leaves. Reading this particular part
threw no light on tho mystery, as the text
related to legal matters about the possession
of land. Having no more relish for reading
that night, retired to my bed In the next
room, and soon forgot my uncle in sound
sleep.
In the morning rose early, greatly re-
freshed, and strolled out to view my
domain. The sun shone brightly, and it was
impossible to feel gloomy under the clear
fresh sky, with the sweet breeze playing
over the peaceful hills. Returning, after o
short walk, to breakfast, then set myself
to consider my position and arrange matters
as to my new mode of life. I had been left,
some few years back, with an allowance
which barely sufficed to keep me, but had
unfortunately been put to no profession.
The outlook was not promising, and did
not feel very hopeful regarding my future.
To try and cheer myself up, made q
tour over the old house. The rooms
were mostly in state of decay; but the
furniture and decorations, In spite of the
ravages Of tine, were handsome, and
showed that my ancestors kept great state
at one time. My uncle was reputed to have
been very rich, but what he did with his
money was mystery, for he had only left
some paltry legacies. The west wing Of the
house had been shut up for years, in conse.
quence of some dreadful occurrence which
had happened there. ! did not care to in
vestigate the gloomy chambers.
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. made few
acquaintances, but found no congenial COM
panion to fill up my empty hours. Spring
blossomed into summer, and summer, with
all its beauty, mellowed into autumn, when
an event occurred which turned the current
of my life.
One morning In September received a
letter from Tom Saxon, an old chum and
schoolfellow, saying he would like to spend
a few weeks with me in Sussex, ii agree
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