Wichita eagle., 1890-02-09


| II.-S--
"Here uas phere they found my mother"
Dora shivered little as the picture
presented itself to her mind. All the
long summer day Mrs. Chorley had sat
there, never needing the sunshine or the
darkness of purple twilight slowly deep
ening into night. Dora had seen her
portrait. and the vivid, girlish imagina-
ton conjured her up again, until she
could almost seem to see her. More to
break the spell of terror that was creep
ing over her than gain any real infor-
nation, Dora said:
''Was she not writing something?'
eyes" replied Olive. "Old Persis, who
used to live with mother when she was
Mrs. Chorley, and was afterwards our
nurse, came over that night to search for
her. Papa was very angry, and dis
charged her when she said mother
meant to make known some secret about
the Will.
Suppose some day another will should
be found?' the true will, Dora was on the
point of adding, for Jane inclined to the
belief with which old Persis had tinctured
the neighborhood; and in spite Of her love
for Olive, Dora had always experienced
a leaning that way.
''Oh, it couldn't be-" replied Olive.
s'Grandfather said they would find his
will in the tower, and even uncle, who
was SO very angry. could not disprove it..
If he had found it instead of mother I
suppose he wouldn't have said word.
Only Persis says he loved Uncle Vincent
the better, and it is strange he should
give him SO little and leave all the rest to
his other son. There are portraits Of
them here in this old closet; let US take q
look at them"
After pulling out several articles and
making such dust they were almost
stifed, they came to the pictures, old
oil paintings that, though much injured
by time and want Of care, still preserved
a tolerable likeness.
''This was Mr.. Harold Chorley," said
Olive, land that Uncle Vincent 1 don't
know why 1 call him SO; he was no real
relation TO me, and it always makes papa
angry. Yet cannot help feeling sorry
for him"
Both were portraits of young men, the
elder dark, stern, with piercing, jetty
eyes and an abundance of black, curling
hair. The other was much fairer, with
hair of rich chestnut, and laughing
eyes of most indescribable hue. The
whole face wore a frank, generous ex-
preston, a happy lightheartedness that
won Dora in an instant.
Il believe | like Mr.. Vincent Chorley's
the BETTER" she said.
''Oh. do, great deal. And old Per-
sis, who saw his son, said they were ex-
actly alike. You know Mr.. Allingham
came after mothers death. Clara and l
went back to school Immediately, go we
did not see him."
did he really try to murder your
papa"
Certainly. Poor fellow, suppose he
was very angry. / wonder what has be-
come of him. 1t is seven years since he
was here"
Dora could not keep her sympathies
from straying to the outcast She had
not at all recovered from her first dislike
to Mr.. Harton, and it seemed to her SO
much more natural and right that de-
scendant of the family should inherit its
privileges in preference to those who
could claim only the merest shadow of
relationship. Yet she could not express
these thoughts to her friend, and SO the
conversation soon turned to other themes,
and presently they went down to have q
talk with Mrs. Bertrand about ghosts.
Olive staid to tea. and shortly after
dusk servant was sent for. w men Jane
was making all safe for the night she
came to the little parlor, where Dora sat
reading alone, as her mother always re-
tired early, and exclaimed:
''Oh, Miss Dora, the tower door is
open!"
The young girl sprang up half terrified
the first instant, then, laughing away her
fear, said:
"Ohve must have forgotten to lock it.
thought it was fast, and that she had
taken the key with her."
But you won't think of sleeping with
out first having that shut: Come, let us
go lock it.
Il do believe you are afraid, Jane.
We have lived here two months, and no
ghost has made its appearance. Did you
suppose 1t was fastened up in the tower.'
Don't laugh, Miss Dora. I'm not so
sure. after all, there isn't something of
the sort. / don't see how that woman
could rest in her grave with such bur-
den on her mind. ! should Lot be at all
surprised TO see her come walking down
stairs some day with the true viii In her
hand"
Hush, Jane. Mamma saws it Is wrong
to pay so much attention TO gossip. Oh
ives mother couldn't have forged will.
and Mr. Harton, you know, had been in
the village only short time. Probably
It's all right. You'll have TO turn this
key, though; the lock is rusted. There,
good night. ghost"
The fearless child laughed lightly as
they returned 10 the parlor. eiiciting
James warmesk admiration sor lar hrar-