The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-01-03
fond belief that the boy would yet re.

" oS'Ns S"eso VIC ooJ WOuIu NetIc'
turn.
81 will prove it he is dead or not"
ne said. Remember, Wymark, the
terrible compact We made to meet
again on the first Christmas eve my
son is able to spend in his own
house, and depend upon 1t he will
come; either in the spirit or in
the flesh. Next Christmas eve the
banquet will be spread, and then the
truth OF his fate shall be known to
NO."
Again were the windows of the old
hall ablnze with light, and the host
sat at the head of the table, but now
his face was pale, and no smile en-
wreathed his lips. He expected q
spirit guest to night. One by one
the guests arrived, until all were
present but the young master of the
house.
a sorry spectacle was this feast
for the guests trembled as though
stricken with ague, until the clocks
had chimed the hour of IL; and the
white haired old squire rose to his
feet light in his eyes.
Gentlemen" said he, 81 have
cause to rejoice this night, for we
have proved that Captain Jack
still lives. You remember our
compact, to meet once more
the whole thirteen of us, either
in the flesh OF the spirit. Only one is
absent, my brave son. But, gentle.
men. had his spirst fled from this
world, it would have returned here
tonight to keep good the oath made.
lie is not dead: my sonlives, and nv
lille is retilled with hope" Lieutenant
Wymark concurrcd with his host, and
then the neglected wines and viands
were drunk and enten, and every
heart was lighter.
Before breaking up the squire in
sisted that t''r oath should be re-
peaed, his mind confident that Cap
tain Jack would surely return. As
on the preceding Christmas eve, the
company stood up, and. with hands
rlasped, repeated after the squire the
same oath.
Seventeen years have pissed, and
Christmas is again at hand, but
death had been busy during the past
six months among the friends who
had SO long met on a Christmas eve
Mt Helstead hall.
The squire vas dead, and three 9TH
or gentlemen who were advanced in
years, so that of the original thirteen
only eight were known to live.
Within n month of Christmas the
lodge keeper was dead in the park,
his death being fastened, no doubt,
by the breaking up OF old ties and
associations. OF the eight living
members of the dread compact only
one was absent, Lieutenant Wymark,
his profession having again called
him again to Indin. Two weeks be-
fore the seven met in solemn conclave
to discuss the matter of their oath,
for it must be confessed they much
regretted their participation in it.
Some voted that the matter be al
lowed to drop rs being perfectly
senselcss, arguing that as the hall
was empty and the keys in the hands
OF the trustees they could not gain
admission. The majority, however,
proposed that they present them
selves ut the gates, ut least, accord.
ing to the compact.
Finally this was decided upon, each.
however hopeful that this would ter.
inmate what was becoming u dread
Jul terror to them. Captain Jack
was not dead, but had managed to
save his life by pretending to conform
to the religion and custom of his
captors, hoping some day Tor an
opportunity to escape. This chance
never came, and his fate would prob
ably have been forever shroudet. in
a mystery had not Wymark been
borne to the same stronghold. This
stronghold was Immediately stormed
by the British, and the captiveS,
restored to liberty. Our two soldiers
now made direct for England, and itN
was only by the most determined
efforts that they arrived in the hall
i'll time for the annual feast. 1t was
just II o'clock of Christmas eve.
Just in time" said Wymark, "and
the old place is filled with light. What
u constitution our father has. Why,
he is near upon 93 years of age, and
last Christmaslooked rs well as ever"
Dear old chap" murmured Cap
tain Jack; "but how strange every
thing seems. There is not q foot
mark in the snow, and the gates look
as if they had not been opened for
days and days"
AS he spoke n spectral figure issued
from the lodge, and the gates swung
open.
1t was the ghost of the keeper, and
as lie beckencd to the men he regard
ed them with burning eyes.
"Ah, good Silas," began the cap
tain, but pause on feeling the tight.
ened grip of Wymark on his arm.
"list, Jack. IT'S u spirit. God
forbid that we have come too late!'
"My father" moaned the captain.
They pushed past the spectralgate
keeper, and entered the hall, the
doors of which were opened with in
visible hands. Up to the banqueting
chamber, the table of which was
spread for the feast, though not a
sound could DO heard OF any living
thing.
"A dread revelation tonight"
grasped Captain Jack. II wonder
how many OF the thirteen still live?"
1--WE shall soon know" was the re-
ply of Wymark, "tor it is nearly
11:3O."
The soldiers seated themselves in
the same chnirs us they did seven
teen yeare before and waited. Mean
while the other living members ofthe
compact made their way to the gates,
hoping to have to turn back again,
but, to their horror the iron
door swung open, and they were
compelled to go forward by some
unseen power. Upon entering the
banquet chamber they recoiled ut
the sight OF Captain Jack; then ex-
plantations followed, and the nine
men seated round the table.
-Four of us gone" said Wymark.
why, all were here last year! MY
friends, my oath may have been an I'M
holy one, but we were forced to keep
it. May God forgive us, and sec us
safely through"
81 want but one glance of my poor
old father" said Captain Jack, "but
Gun it be possible"