The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-02-16
GHOST OR BURGLAR.
The Thrilling Story Of Chorley Tower
All About a Hidden Will
BY Amanda NJ. Douglass.
Complete in This Issuel


the paper lying before her were traced
these words: II, Juanita Chorley Har-
ton, being full possession of my senses,
do hereby declare to all the world
that But whatever secret she had on
her soul went into eternity with her.
No traces of unfair dealing were found
upon her, and she was buried with
great show of respect by Mr.. Harton.
The mysterious death caused intense ex-
element, and Chorley Cliffs soon began
to have quite respectable ghost of its
own.
Another incident occurred to give it
still greater notoriety. Allingham Choir
ley, the only survivor of the family,
tall. fine looking young man, came into
the neighborhood and demanded the
privilege of searching the old stone house.
Without directly accusing any one, he
boldly declared his grandfather's win
had never been found or else destroyed.
For the first day Mr.. Harton followed
his steps like shadow, much as he
dreaded to enter the hated mansion. At
evening some sharp words passed be-
tween them, and whether it was pre-
meditated assault or an accident of the
moment could not be clearly made out,
but Mr.. Harton was precipitated over
the edge of the declivity into the water
below, and rescued by some fishermen
in small boat He Immediately made
a deposition against dillingham; Chorley,
charging him with foreibly throwing
him from the cliff with intent to murder
him. At first the young man laughed,
and declared with cool audacity that Mr..
Harton had plunged into the bay him
self; but when he saw matters assum-
ing a serious aspect, and warrant is
sued for his arrest, decided flight to be
the wiser course. blr. Harton seemed
quite delighted at thus being rid of his
adversary.
No one cared to live IN the old house,
so it had gone on falling to ruin. For
several seasons Mr.. Harton had adver-
tised it for summer residence, but with
no success; consequently hewas delight
ed to find q tenant now.
The work of renovating went on rapid
ly. By the first of May sufficient num-
Der of rooms were in order. and Mrs.
Bertrand, her daughter and servant
came to take possession. Mr. Harton
brought his eldest child over to call upon
the ladies Miss Harton was tall, naughty
and very mature looking for II. The
union of races in this case had not in
creased the power of beauty. With her
mothers dark complexion, Miss Harton
inherited her fathers steely gray eyes
and brown hair; her features were regu-
lar, yet lacked warmth and spirit, but
her figure was undeniably fine. She
looked five years older than Dora Der.
trand, who was her senior by a few
months. The young people did net as
simulate very readily; indeed, Dora was
almost frightened by her guests state
and demeanor.
Il am very glad we shall not live here
always she said TO her mother, after
the visitors had gone. 81 am sure, if
Miss Harton is a sample of the young
ladies, shall find very few pleasant ac-
quaintances. And, somehow, cannot
like Mr.. Harton a bit, although he is so
anxious for our comfort
"Do not judge too soon, responded
Mrs. Bertrand. There is another sister
for us to see; she may be different"
And different she certainly was. They
met her when they went to return the
call; her sister being absent, she was
compelled to play the hostess. She was
brunette, and though possessing neither
the fine figure or regular features of the
elder, more than made up the lack by
her vivacity and gay good humor. Mrs
Bertrand was really glad, for Dora
sake, that they had found so compan-
ionable young lady, and warmly in
vited her to make herself no stranger at
the Cliffs.
Olive Horton was no less delighted
with the prospect of so pleasant friend.
Not, indeed, that she suffered from lone
Hness, for she was welcome at many
freside where Mr. Harton and Clara
would not have deigned to show them
selves. Yet among the people who
visited the house Olive found few to her
liking, and both father and sister frowned
down any attempt on her part to estab-
lish circle of her own.
As Mrs. Bertrand found it impossible
to procure piano in the neighborhood,
and judged it too great distance to
have hers removed for the few months
they expected to spend in the country,
she accepted Mr.. Hartons proposal that
Dora should come over daily and prac-
tice with Olive; and this led to a COM
plete intimacy. Olive resembled her
father and sister as little in character as
in person. Cool, calculating, suspicious,
and stealthy, Mr.. Harton seemed ever on
the lookout lest some one should gain an
advantage over him; while Olive was
frank, free and careless to fault.
There was not trace of pride or haughti-
ness in her, and many of the village
people who shrank from her sister bright
ened into smiles when her merry face
appeared at the doorway.
Mrs. Bertrand was not at all surprised
as she saw the girls rushing in eagerly,
one afternoon, their faces flushed with
rapid walking, and heard Dora exclaiin:
30, mamma, Olive has the key TO the
tower. and we are going up to explore IT,
She says almost every one believes it's
haunted" and Dora gave a gay, bird
like laugh.
'sI'm SO glad you are not afraid Of
/ ghosts, Mrs. Bertrand, Olive said, cross
y - H. ~ I.