The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-09-06
PART IV.-CHAPTER III.
THE NVUIS on con

THE MILLS OF GOD.
The front door of the lately-occupied
part still hung open; the rain had beat
in; there had been no fires in this part
for six weeks, and the atmosphere was
damp and chill. Deferring a visit to
Mrs. Willis abandoned rooms until the
great curiosity and interest that pressed
at his heart had been satisfied, Craw-
ford mounted the stairs. He found
that door between the upper hall and
the old part, which had been kept
barred and bolted, lay shattered and
broken Oh the floor, as if beaten in by
blows of an axe. He passed through
the aperture, Tom Burt closely follow
ing, and stood in one of the long-de-
serted rooms.
In what way Captain Willis had been
accustomed to make his secret visits to
the old cellar he had not been in
formed. He paused now moment to
reflect that it had probably been by
some more convenient outside passage;
but he was now so far on his way that
he would not turn back.
He had provided himself with a
pocket-lantern, which he now lit. The
room was bare of furniture, as was
every other that he saw in this part of
the house. All was dark, damp and
musty; the dust and cobwebs of half a
century were around him.
But he was too eager to be awed bv
such thoughts. He passed through this
room and two others before finding the
stairway Descending it, the loose
and rotten boards creaked and cracked
beneath his tread, and bats flew at the
light.
In the rooms below he searched for
some minutes before finding the COW
cred recess by which the stairs de-
scended to the cellar. He knelt down
and thrust the lantern into the OPEN
ing. The darkness and dampness of
the rooms he had traversed were multi
piled in that noisome depth. A sick
ening smell pervaded the air.
Tom Burt stood trembling behind
him, his hand grasping the skirt of
Crawford's coat. The young man
turned and spoke to him:
Burt, be not afraid; you will meet
no spirits down here. Yet, what /
have already discovered tells me that
it is place of horrors. Summon your
fortitude; nothing will harm you; but
you will need courage to face what YOU
must see. Come!-keep hold of NV
coat, if it pleases you.''
In this way they went down, some of
the steps not only creaking, but break
ing beneath their feet. Burt kept well
behind Crawford. and it was over the
young mans shoulder, as he held I'M
the lantern above his head, that the
sailors first clear view of the ghastlv
and wonderful spectacle of the cellar
was had.
Some minutes were necessary to ac-
custom their eyes to the gloom of the
place, which was with difficulty and
slowly penetrated by the rays Of the
lantern.
The horrid odor became almost over
towering. Both men stood at the foot
OF the stairs, summoning strength with
winch to remain in the place ten min
utes.
The feeble light presently disclosed
TO their eyes, now wonted to the place.
at once the house of treasure and the
tomb!
briefly, as becomes the awful nature
OF that scene. let us portray it.
They stood IN one apartment of the
cellar; others were beyond.
This one was perhaps fifteen feet by
thirty. Nearest the walls were heaps
OF refuse, being mostly rotting sails
and cordage.
A small space remained between