The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-24
CHAPTER. XIX.
THE FIRE AT CARNE's HOLD.


excitement of following up the clew was
over. and there was nothing to do until
thew heard from Ronald as to how he
wished them to proceed So one morning
Mfr. Armstrong came down and told Mary
70 pack up at once and start with him
about II o'clock for London. eve are
Getting like two owls and must wake our
selves up Bit" Mary ran down to the
mill to say goodbye to Ruth, and tell her
that she and her father had to go to London
for short time. They were ready by the
time named, for there was little packing to
do and at Il o'clock the trap from the
Carne's Arms came up to the door, and
took them to the station. A month was
spent in London, sightseeing. BY the end
Of that time both had hal enough of thea
ters and exhibitions, and returned to Carnes-
ford.
"Nell, what is the news, neighbours" Mr..
Armstrong asked, as he entered the snug
pery on the evening of his return.
''There is not much news here" Jacob
Carey said; there never is much news to
speak of in Carnesford; but they say things
are not going on well up at the Hold"
I'm what way, Mr.. Careyg"
"Well, for some time there has been talk
that the Squire is getting strange in his
ways. He was mover bright and cheerful
like Miss Margaret, but always seemed to
be a thinking, and as often as not when he
rode througl here, would take no more no
tice of you when he passed than If you
hadn't been near. Still he was wonder
fully fond of books, they said, and when
man takes to books, l don't think he is
much good for anything else; but ever since
Miss Margaret's death, he has been queerer
than before. They said he had a way of
walking about the house all hours of the
night. Soft went on until Just lately. Now
it seems he is worse than ever. They can
hear him talking to himself and laughing in
u way that would make you creep. Folks
say as the Curse of the CarneS has fallen
on him bad, and that he is as mad as his
grandfather was. The women have all
left except the old cook, who has got girl
to stay with her. They lock the door at
night, and they have got the men from the
known to the master. One day last week,
when Mr.. Carne was out for the day,
Old Hester came out and saw the parsou,
and he sent for Dr. Arrowsmith, and they
had quiet talk over it. You see it is
mighty awkward thing to NEEDLE with.
Mr.. Carne has got no relations 50 far as is
known. except Mrs. Mervyn and her
daughters, who are away living 1 hear at
Hastings, and Capt. Mervyn, who Is God
knows where. Of course, he is the heir if
the Squire doesn't marry and have children,
and If he were here it would be his business
TO interfere and have the Squire looked
after or SHUT up, if needs be; but there don't
seem any one to take the matter up
now The doctor told Hester that he could
DO nothing without being called in and see
ing for himself that Mr.. Carne was out of
his mind. The parson said the only thing
sire could do was to go to Mr.. Volkes, the
magistrate, and tell MIN she thought there
was danger of murder if something wasn't
done. Hester has got plenty of courage,
and says that she don't think there's any
danger to her, cause the Squire has known
her from the time be has known anything
81 don't know" Mr.. Armstrong said.
'mad people are often more dangerous to
those they care for than strangers. Still
this is very serious. From what you have
told me the madness of the Carnes is al
ways of dangerous kind. One thing is
quite evident-Capt. Mervyn ought to
come back at once. There have been
tragedies enough at Carne's Hold without
another"
'tAy, and there will be-" put in Reuben
Claphurst, las long as Carne's Hold stands;
the curse of the Spanish woman rests
upon it."
What you say is right enough, Mr..
Armstrong" Hiram Powlett agreed. "No
doubt the Miss Mervyns know where their
brother is, and could let him know; but
would he come back again? | have always
said as how we should never see Capt. Mer-
vyn back again in these parts until the
matter of Miss Carne's death was cleared
up"
MIR. Armstrong sat looking at the fire.
he must be got back" he said, eff what
you say is true, and Mr.. Carne's going off
his head. He must be got back"
hiram Powlett shook his head.
HE must come back" Mr.. Armstrong
repeated; ''it's his duty, pleasant or un-
pleasant. 1t may be that he is on his way
home now; but if not, it would hasten him.
GU look surprised, and no wonder, but l
may now tell you, swhat l haven't thought
IL necessary to mention to you before
mind oumust promise to keep it to your
selves-l met Capt Mervyn out at the
Cape and made his acquaintance there. He
was passing under another name, but we
got to be friends, and he told me his story
have written to him once or twice since,
and L will write to him and tell him that if
ne hasn't already started for home it's his
DUTY to do SO. / suppose 1t was partly his
talking to me about his place that made
me come here to see you at first, and then
took to it.n
Inc surprise of the others at finding that
MF. Armstrong knew Ronald was very
great. II wonder you didn't mention 1t
before" Jacob Carey said, giving voice to
tne common feeling; 1--WE have talked
about him SO often, and you never said
him.
No, and never should have said word
put for this. You will understand that
Tapt. Mervyn wouldn't want where he
was living made matter of talk; and
snough when he told me the story he did not
Know was coming to Carnesford, and 50
qIun't ask me not to mention it, l consider
I was bound to him to say nothing about it.
Dut now that l know he is urgently re-
CURED here | don't see that there's occasion
any longer to make a secret of the fact that
ne Is out in South Africa.
-. Yes, l understand, Mr.. Armstrong"
hiram Powlett agreed naturally when he
sold you about himself he did not ask it to
oe Kept secret, because he did not know
you would meet any one that knowed him.
put put When you did meet such you thought
enat 1t was right to say nothing about 1t.
and l agree with you; but of course this
matter OF the Squire going queer in his
HIihu makes ell the difference, and think,
as you says, Capt. Mervyn ought to be
ie1ched home. When he has seen the Squire
= properly taken care of, he can go away
where he likesn
That is So" Jacob Carey agreed. "Mer-
iYyn ought to know what is doing here. and
IA you can write and tell him that he is