The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-05-24


matrimony to me, and, knowing that we
could not live happily together, refused
his offer
!" With mother and nv little afflicted
brother L left our home in Dayton, and
come West to my aunt Mile. Camille, in
Frenchtown. We were very proud, and re-
solved to keep our degrading misfortunes
to ourselves My older brother remained
behind. hoping to save something for us out
of the wreck of our once handsome fortune,
though mother and had in our own names
property, the income of which would be
ample for our wants. We little dreamed
that in coming to Frenchtown we were near
ing the rendezvou of the man whom we
dreaded above all others. Aunt Lucille was
glad to receive US, and offered us home
with herself as long as we would accept 1T.
intended teaching music, or securing
position as governess, and we thought we
could once more be happy. My little deaf
brother never seemed 50 happy as he was
with my aunt, who dotted on him.
"One night there came a knock at the
door, and my brother, wild-eyed and hag-
gard, was admitted. He had only time to
explain that he was charged with forging a
check on Colonel Collins and was now fly-
ing from the vengeance of the law, when
the door opened and Colonel Collins him
self entered Tortured by fears and har-
raised by man who was scarce less than
demon, my poor brother was seized with
commissions, and for days his life was
despaired of. Colonel Collins informed me
that unless l became his wife my brother,
regardless of condition, should be dragged
to prison. This would kill both him and nv
mother, and frightened, Mortified and un-
conscious of the awful step 1 was taking
without consulting any one, I consented.
dared not appeal to an officer to protect
me from this man; for, believing my brother
to be a criminal officers of the law were
men most to be dreaded.
81 have but a faint recollection of nv
marriage-just as if it was a frightful
dream. When I came to realize that l was
his-almost soul and body-I resolved that
l would make him as good wife as could
without loving him, and determined to pro-
tect my family. He had us secretly
conveyed to the stone house on the hill.
There we have lived, he holding as a con-
slant menace over me the destruction of nv
mother and insane brother, who are inmates
of that house. While do not love nv hus-
band, and was forced into marriage with
him, yet as God is my witness I have made
him as good wife as he would let me, and
l shall live and die loyal to my marriage
vows. He wanted mother and to assign
over to him the property we hold in our own
names, but this we refused to do, deter
mined to save it for my afflicted brothers
He flew into such a rage at our diobedience
that we feared he would do my little dumb
brother some harm, or send him away where
we should never see him again. 1t was then
that /, for that child's sake, dared make the
visit to you and enlist your sympathies in
him, as you remember. You may think it
unwomanly, immodest, but if you could re-
alize what was at stake you would overlook
the imprudence of the act At my aunt's the
little boy was among loving friends, while
at the old st(eie house on the hill he was not
only miserable but in constant danger of
being taken away from us, where we should
never see him again.
''Mrs. Collins, your conduct on that occa-
sion is quite praiseworthy. instead of merit
ing censure," assured Allen, ''but why do
you live with such monster? The law will
give you divorce"
81 am a Catholic" she answered, ssand
neither does my religion or my conscience
approve of divorces. No, sir, my little
brother is safe from his prosecutions, nv
and / will endure rough usage and impr1son-
ment until death shall release US from bon
dage. She will not leave me, for she thinks
my burden would be doubled if she was not
here to share it. Ipromised, although under
duress, to live with HIM until death do us
part, and will keep that promise"
Aliens head was bowed upon his hand.
At last, with troubled sigh, he asked?
n iC fo,
duct Is he an outlaw, as has been
charged?"
''No, sir; he is strange man, law-abiding
in the common acceptation of the term, but
self-willed, cunning and INSCRIPTIONS in the
accomplishment of his designs In his cold,
selfish way he loves me, but his is a love to
blight rather than bless. His extravaganza
has frequently pecuniarly embarrassed him,
and it is at such times that he does not
scruple at any means to try to force from
mother and our property
"What are those strange sights and
sounds seen and heard at the stone house
on the hill?"
"No doubt the reports Of them have been
greatly magniied by persons believing the
place haunted. The lights are made by a
peculiar magic lantern with which my in
III.
His shrieks and laughter, which has driven
so many horror-stricken away, are but the
rawlings of mailman. You know ALL Mr..
Gray" she said, rising. est is not proper
that remain longer. Regrets that we had
not met sooner are useless-it is useless
for us to think of each other at ALL Allow
me to thank you for daring what you did,
My husband was very angry at you for
thwarting him, and he would have killed you
at that time if he could"
did he abuse you for it?''
"Not more than he has on other occa-
sions''
"Was he jealous"
"Oh no, he knew that my motive was
only to thwart him, and save my unfortunate
little brother Claude. Now, farewell! go
back to my mother and dutyl God approves
this sacrifice. 1 am sorry that l am forced
to complain of my husband, and this story
told for the first time shall never be re-
peated. shall remember you In my pray
observation-disclosures must never see each
other again-farewell'
She sobbed bitterly. Allen took her
hand, reverently touched it to his lips, and,
unable to utter word, wheeled about and
left the scene.
CHAPTER Xxx.
CONCLUSION.
Allen Gray found the remainder of his
life at Turley's Point irksome. He kept
the secret of the old house on the hill to
himself. As he had no hopes of improving