The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-02-15

ETl satisfactory, and
the rent offered
In advance, Mr..
lIarton congratulated himself on his
good fortune, and sent some worknaen
to render the place habitable.
It was a crazy, rambling, dilapidAted,
moss grown affair, not bearing on its
crest that odor Of sanotity considered
desirable in a we'll ordered community.
Old Capt. Chorley, its founder, had been
= seafaring man all his days. Wonder
full legends were still related about him
when the old DANES OF the noighborhood
held tea drinking. 1t had never been.
definitely settled whether his vessel was
SLAYER, or, verse yet, one OF the few
remaining piratical craft that still oc-
casionally secured the ocean. She came
and went in secrecy; the sparse popula-
lion 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 q 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 crevices, despoiling carved
wainscoting, painted ceilings and curl.
GUS furniture that might have been i'm
ported from every quarter of the globo.
During one Of his expeditions Capt.
Chorley had married, and on his return
a wife and child were added 10 the treas
ures already slowed away In the prison
like mansion. A few Of tho gentry
called on Mrs, Chorley, but she did not
neighbors. The fishermen's wives TO
membered seeing her walk up and down
the beach below the house, pale and Il
lent. leading little boy who clung tim
idly to her and never strayed of to play
After awhile another son was added h
the family, and this event was succeeded
by Mrs. Chorley's death. The old, for
bidding looking servant brought up tbs
children until they were old enough tc
accompany their father 10 sea, a. be
seemed TO desire this mode of existenct
even after he had acquired fortune.
At 25, Harold. the elder, married a 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
it an unhealthy port. Throughout his
illness he had raved continually Of Q
will and a casket locked up in the tower
This had been built on the side overlook
ng the bay, and being much higher thar
he house, it was said light used 70 b,
placed in it whenever the captain wa
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
diatS search was made throughout thi.
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 a naughty, triumphant face
holding up to the brothers q casket Of
cedar wood, curiously bound with brass,
whose lusteT was sadly tarnished, bit
ter, suspicious thought flashed up "a
Vincent's heart.
She described with some degree Of os
tsntation the spot where she had found
tan old closet quite disttnct from the
study, She also insisted upon the law,
yer being called in before it was opened
This was Mr.. Harton, q young attorney
who had been in the village scarcely 1
rear.
Vincent Chorley sat In sullen silence
. strange presentiment Of coming evi
shivering through his whole frame. H,
was hardly surprised when hs found hi
brother posaessor Of the housS and farm
and . generous income, beside which hi
seemed a mere pittance. The ship wa
bequeathed TO him, but q was old ana
unseaworthyi beside, Vincent had nj
greater love for q Beafaring life than hi
brother. Consequently his disApPoint
ment was great, and high words paase,
between them. Mrs. ChOFley's attempt
At pacifsatiOn were made with an eVi
dent desirs Of widening the breach. an,
the quarrel ended by an angry separa
ton.
Vincent sold his vessel. embarked 4
mercantile pursuits, married, and et hi
death bequeathed his heribage Of hstre
to his son. Harold died childless, and
year AfterwSrd Mrs. ChoTley surprise
Z every one by bcstOwing her hand upo
Lawyer Harton, who was still poor, an
several years her junior, The fortun
A had bOCn left 70 her without q single n
striction. A new house was built, tW
daughters added to the family circle, b.
Il was rumored Mr.. and Mrs Harton di
not lead a happy life. He certainly hel
c some secret power over her, At which oh
chafed and grew mutinOus. and at thel
seasons carried her head more lofdl
I than ever, looking down upon him Wit
d undisguised contempt.
One morning she went out, and, N
having returned by evening, her hu
a band went 70 seek her among tho neigl
hors, while two Of the servants set fort
p 70 explore the old house, AsoOnding Il
tower they found her ia the study, ssate
before table In the attitude Of writing
" Her eyes were staring inDo space with
=. fixed, stony gazes the pen had falle
uF from her hand she was white and cod
N Death had coma for her tn this solitude
and his summons was inexoTable. o
Of he papeF lying before her ware traoe
pc these w0rdsi ~, Iuanita ChoTley HE
~ y ton. being In fun possession Of my sense
do hereby declare 10 all the wwl
that But whatevaF secret abe had Z
her soul went into eternity with he
u No traces Of unfair dealing were four
upon her, and ne waE buried with
Cd gFo1t show oe ragnaqt By ~. HartQ
1h9liYp ,llIe lg.iAls 3