Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-06-20


them and followed mo as pet kitten
would had not kindly but firmly
told him mo-" always talked 70
s'Dlckn Just as l would to you or any
other dear friend for know he always
understood.
Dear fellow. how wistfully he looked
after me rs ran up the dark steps.
covered here and there with still
darker stains--so uggestivo-ughl |
Tho key you will find in niche in
the wall near the door, This | was
also told ut Weir Heights.
Cropping among tangled vines and |
leaves. though IL was midsummer, the
wall felt icy TO my touch, aud so clam
my. found it at length, the great
hidcous. rusty thing, feeling in the
darkness (for could not see iD like
an instrument Of torture.
With great difficulty ! found the
kcy-hole. and then IL seemed full OF
rubbish. which felt like paper and
leaves.
At first the rusty lock would not
yield, but finally the great door
creaked on ils worn hinges and swung
inward noisily.
There was nuttering and scurrying
across the hoor hnd from the walls
about mo, and q damp, musty odor
greeted my nostrils. II was wcll Tor
me that my hostess insisted on my TAX
ing my small travelling sachel. which
Inow held in my hand. for in its differ
ent compartments we're things needful
m an emergency. A small night lamp.
matches, a small flask OF liquor, a
guide book. needle case. thread,
scissors and a thimble, and good
lunch. Thankfully 1 p essed the
clasp, opened the sachel and found a
match.
As struck 1t the great door swung
heavily 10 with sharp bang. The
lock clicked, but thought nothing Of
Il then. heard a snort OF surprise
from 'Dich." and then | hurriedly lit
my lamp and held it above my head.
What vast. grand old rooml Rare
old tapestries hung from the walls,
festooned in their moldy draperies
with cob webs and dust Here aud there
paintings in massive gilded. furnished
frames. hung upon tho walls, with
dust and mold so thick upon the faces
thereon none might tell the features.
The floor was OF tessellated marble,
whose beautiful mosaic was nearly
hidden by the ravages Of time and
dust
Huge pieces offurniture we're placed
IN admirable confusion about tho room.
and velvet rugs OF now indistinct
pattern covered the floor in front Of
each chair or couch.
The windows were curtainless but
solid wooden shutters, iron-bound.
kept out all prying eyes. Placing my
lamp (Which gave but little light in
these huge dimensions) upon the tall
lacquered mantel-piece. Hooked at my
watch. Seven o'clock. / had no
thought OF fear, but n feeling OF awe
hcrept over me as tho moldy tapestries
waved TO and fro, without a rustic,
probably from a broken spot in the
masonry OF the great walls, where,
too. piteous moaning of The wind
, kept crying.
Calmly, amidst the dead and gone
"Brau-Wylleens" looking down upon
. me, able, no doubt, 70 see through
: dust-covered eyes. sat down on one
, OF the massive chairs and ate my lunch,
: for was desperately hungry. Though
: not lacking in ideality or romance, it
7 was an excellent time TO be practical.
, and to appease an appetite was good
I strengthener Of the nerves. You see,
/ was just the least afraid | should be
! afraid.
> My repast over, took my lamp once
more in my hand, and as / did 50 a
crcaking board somewhere made me
start, aud then / thought / heard foot
steps
Trembling slightly. and the least in
dignant without knowing why. hasti-
ly crossed the wide room and entered
, a garret hall Undecided. stood for
an instant listening. This room was
mostly bare, and so full Of dark shad-
ows / quickly left it.
, Turning 10 go out. / found the door
would not open. Again and again
tried 1t. but In vain. Suddenly again
/ hesrl ''D.cl5'' snort, then champ his
bits and paw the ground, and step.
He, too, evidently heard or saw some
thing TO frighten or annoy. l must
get back TO him-but how.
A winding sta rcase next met my
eye, and, trying to be brave, began
ascending the steps Again the sound
OF footsteps How foolish and nery-
Gus / was becoming. Reaching the
top. long, narrow corridor opened
before me. and as / advanced another
door near suddenly closed.
But on went, peering into rooms
and halls. quaint closets and clp-
boards. with a firm determination %
do or die. felt my courage rise and
began TO reason with myself Ii was
the wind, and the rats, and bats,
and scratching Of boughs and leaves
against the windOw-shutters and roof
whence came the noise which my
nerves had conjured up into whisper
ing voices and footsteps. Unaccus-
toned to the unusual exertion Of rid
ing so far and tramping about, grew
very weary.
Coaches stood almost everywhere,
, as II the former inmates OF the old
house we're only too fond Of leisure and
reclining. With my handkerchief /
I brushed tho cobwebs and dust from
one that had once been a thing OF
/ beauty, In It's rich crimson satin COW
Z ering and heavy golden cords and
4 tassels. now so soiled and tarnished.
s Gratefully sank down upon II after
placing shawl over II. albeit the
s green mold and its odor were very
I, suggestive Of a tomb.
|, Somehow amid all this gloom and