Wichita eagle., 1890-02-09

SASs3 -, Satisfactory, anu
the reat offered
in advance, Mr.
Harton congratulated himself on his
good fortune, and sent some workmen
to render the place habitable.
1t was a crazy, rambling, dilapidated,
moss grown affair, not bearing on its
crest that Odor of sanctity considered
desirable in a well ordered community.
Old Capt. Chorley, its founder, had been
a seafaring man all his days. Wonder
full legends were still related about him
when the old DANES Of the neighborhood
held tea drinking. 1t had never been
definitely settled whether his vessel was
q siaver, or, worse yet, one of the few
remaining piratical craft that still Oc-
casionally secured the ocean. She came
and went in secrecyi the sparse popula-
ton on the northern end of Long Island
at that period, the many little bays and
harbOrS. and the different crafts con-
stantly passing at that point, rendered
evasion an easy matter. Whatever his
business might be, he increased In wealth,
purchased large tract of land and built
the castle like structure on a jut of rocky
ground overhanging the sea. Much and
varied taste had been displayed on both
exterior and interior, but now the win
dows had fallen in; the gray stone had
begun to Crumble in several places;
storms had found their way through
roofs and creyices, despoiling carved
wainscoting, painted ceilings and Curl
Gus furniture that might have been i'm
ported from every quarter of the globe.
During one of his expeditions Capt.
Chorley had married, and On his return
a wife and child were added to the treas
ures already slowed away In the prison
like mansion. 4 few of the gentry
called on Mrs. Chorley, but she did not
seem disposed To be friendly with her
neighbors. The fshermens wives re-
membered seeing her walk up and down
the beach below the house, palo and 81
lent, leading little boy who clung tim
idly to her and never strayed off to play.
After awhile another son was added to
the family, and this event was succeeded
by Mrs. Chorley's death. The old, for
bidding looking servant brought up the
children until they were old enough to
accompany their father to sea, as he
seemed to desire this mode of existence
even after he had acquired a fortune.
AT 25, Harold, the elder, married tall,
handsome Spanish West Indian, relin-
quished his rowing life and turned far
mer on his fathers estate.
Capt. Chorley's death occurred at sea,
Of malignant fever he had contracted
at an unhealthy port. Throughout his
illness he had raved continually of a
will and casket locked UP in the tower.
This had been built on the side overlook
ing the bay, and being much higher than
the house, it was said a light used to be
placed in it whenever the captain was
expected home. Indeed, he had fur
nished up one room as private library
and study, and ON the return of the
younger son with the sad tidings imme-
diate search was made throughout this
apartment for the document, but in vain.
There was but little love between Mrs.
Chorley and her brother-in-law, and
when, after eScritoires, heavy, cumber-
some chests, and all manner of out of
the way places had been hunted through.
she came down the stone steps one morn
ing with naughty, triumphant face,
holding up to the brothers a caSket of
cedar wood, curiously bound with brass.
whose luSter was sadly tarnished, bit
ter, suspicious thought flashed up in
NincenU's heart.
She described with some degree of os-
tentatjon the spot where she had found
it--2n old closet quite distinct from the
study. She also insisted upon the law
yer being called in before it was opened.
This was a Mr.. Harton, a young attorney
who had been in the village scarcely 4
year.
Vincent Chorlev sat in sullen silence,
n strange presentiment of coming evil
shivsring through his whole frame. He
was hardly surprised when he found his
brother possessor of the house and farm.
and a generous income, beside which his
seemed mere pittance. The ship was
bequeathed to him. but it was old and
unseaworthy; beside, Vincent had no
greater love for a seafaring life than his
brother. Consequently his disappoint-
ment was great, and high words passed
between them. Mrs. Chorley's attempts
al p2ciication were made with an eyi-
dent desire OF widening the breach. and
the. quarrel ended by an angry separa-
ton.
Vincent sold his vessel, embarked in
mercantile pursuits, married. and at his
death beeueathed his heritage of hatred
to has son. Harold died childless, and q
year afterward Mrs. Chorlev surprised
every one by bestowins her hand upon
lawyer Harton. who was still poor. and
several years her junior. The fortune
had been left to her without q single re-
striction. 4 new house was built, two
daughters added to the family circle, but
it was rumored Mr. and Mrs. Hagton did
not lead a happy life. He certainly held
some secret power over her, at which she
chafed and grew mutinous, ana at these
seasons carried her head more iofrilv
than ever, locking down upon him with
undisguised contempt.
One. morning she went out. and. not
having returned by evening, her hus-
band went 10 seek her among the neigh
oors, white two Of the servants set forth
10 explore the old house. Ascendingthe
tower they found her in the study, seated
before table in the attitude of writing.
Her eyes were staring into space with a
fixed, stony gaze; the pen had fallen
from her hand; she was white and cold.
Death had come for her In TINS solitude.