Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-25
FOI INC SPECTATURsI
THE MYSTERY OF CHESNEY HALL.

[For the SPEcTAToR.]
THE MYSTERY OF CHESNEY HALL.
ssNIIO,',
Mr.. Herbert Chesuey, wealthy young
man of five and twenty years, lived about
two miles from the city Of merry old Lon
don.
Mr.. Chesney was very wealthy, having
fallen heir to grand estate known as
Chesney Hall. Being brought up in lux
ury from childhood he knew nothing of the
stings of poverty. Yet he was always
ready to help those who were needy.
Chesney Hall was a beautiful mansion
containing number of large rooms that
we're fitted with the most elegant furniture
Water was forced through the numerous
| apartments. Everything conveniently ar
ranged. A large library of well selected
| books. Pictures and maps decorated the
| walls; fruits and confections of all kinds
we're in abundance, and everything to make
one enjoy himself And the floors were
covered with costly carpets, and the
grounds surrounding were equally as grand.
The beautiful orchard with its glorous gar
lands of pink and white, its pearly pear
blossoms AID coral apple buds. What a
| flush of bloom it presented, with the buz-
zing of be IS gathering their honey for win
ter use. The lovely gardens with finest
flowers. Such beds of hyacinths mign-
onetts, carnations, and primroses perfum.
ing the very air for long distances The
fountain throwing out it's sparkling water
with the gold fish swimming around like
floating jewels.
Mr.. Chesney had lived here all his life,
and was 80 attached to the old Hall that he
never desired to leave for any length of
time. He was the owner of other estates
just as beautiful, but this was the home of
the Chesneys for generations back. He
had property in London also, among which
was fine hotel, Which, with his other bus.
mess, he could not attend to, and at the
time of this story was conducted by a lady
named Mrs. Burleigh, who is now running
it.
But let US 60 back to Chesney Hall or
we may get lost in this large hotel.
Among the numerous rooms in this man
sion was a small room which was used as
an Office. This office was finely finished; to
one side was door, the only one that was
used, which was an entrance to the hall,
and on the opposite side small door, which
was supposed to open to closet, one that
had ever seen opened. Mr.. Chesney oc
cupied this room alone, and when he left it
he was very particular to keep the hall
door locked; and, although people had in
qnired, they were never able to find out
why he should guard the room 80 closely
Mr.. Leighton, man who appeared a
friend of Mr.. Chesney. lived within short
distance of Chesney Hall, and was a fre-
quent visitor there, consequently MIR. Ches-
ney regarded him as fast friend.
MIR. Leighton was not what you may call
we'll off, but he lived in very comfortable |
little home, and was not married.
One day while Mr.. Chesney was in bis |
private Office looking over some money he |
had just received, the door bell rang.
A servant announced Mr.. Leighton.
''Show him in here. I am busy and can |
not leave just yet" In that Office person |
is rarely seen with Mr.. Chesney, but as he
was busily engaged he didn't thi * what
he was doing, but spoke on the impulse of
the moment.
Mr.. Leighton came in, and, with pleas
ant greeting, shook hands with his friend. |
Mr.. Chesney told him he would be through |
in minute. In short time he laid the
money IN little drawer in the desk which
is just the size of q bank note, and began
heir conversation. They talked of one
thing then another. When Mr.. Leighton
saw all that money 10 that drawer be for
got what he came for. Mr.. Leighton is a
villain, and mean, wicked man, but be
KEEP it concealed from Mr.. Chesney for fear
he would lose man Vho had been as a
brother to him. Mr.. Chesney did not
know but what he was an honest man and
| treated him as such.
Mr.. Leighton was illat-eass, aud was
planning way to get the money out Of
that drawer, 80 he said al last that he had
come over to look at fine horse he heard
Mr.. Chesney wanted to sell.
'Very well, said Mr.. Chesney 'suppose
we go out to the stables and look at him."
We mention this TO show the reader
what kind of man Mr.. Leighton was, ard
that will give him au idea of his life and
character. Remember, he did not want
the horse, he wanted the money he sa W.
and was schemirg how to get it.
Mr. Chesney locked the offics door and
carelessly Put the keys 10 his coat pocket,
| and they both went out to the stables to
see the horses.
Mr.. Leighton kept him 10 close conversa.
tion, and at moment when be was very
mich interested in his description of bis
horses, Leighton slipped the keys from his
pocket. After having agreed to purchase
| the horse in the near future they started to
the house. The next moment buggy was
driven to the gate. Mr.. Chesney said, IL
am compelled to 60 to the city this morning
and would be pleased to have your compa.
ny"
Mr.. Leighton was afraid he would 90 in
| to get the money, which would certainly
leave him in bad fix, but he didn't 90 in
the house. Mr.. Leighton accepted the in
vitat;on and they drove of to the great
city.
After spending some time in the city
they entered large clothing store. Mr..
Leighton thought this good place to leave
| him, and he said:
"Mr. Chesney, will you please wait here
until go up Walpole street to see party.
I will not stay long and we will 90 back
together"
'Certainly," said the kind man.
Mr.. Leighton, instead of going where be
said, went as fast as he conld back to the
Hall. Slipping into the office and opening
the rnoney-drawer he took out the money;
then turning pu5 the keys on the floor just
at the door, so as to make it appear that
Mr. Cbesuey had dropped them ss be went
cat. And away be went back to where he
had left his friend waiting far him. found
him still there aud felt all right.
'Did you get to see him2" was his greet.
ing as Mr.. Leighton came in.
"Yes," he replied.
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