The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1891-01-10

| parts before she sought the tower, there
| fore unlocked the door and stepped out.
| As she did SO she noticed that the COW
! cred basket was still there.
The door opened directly into small
| rickety hall that led into several large
rooms, all dusty. moldy, and more or less
| dilapidated. Broken windows, torn wall
| papers. bare rafters, seen through i'm
mense places where ceilings had fallen,
I were every where visible. Some rooms
| were filled with broken furniture, pieces
of old china, aud fragments Of time-worn,
! cast-off clothing.
All, even the floors, were IN al adj
vanced state Of decay.
Ethel looked at these dilapidated OBJ
jects and found herself wondering why
Sir Reginald had not had the whole
pulled down and removed? Its destruc-
ton certainly would heighten the value
of property, while its presence only spoke
of neglect and untidiness.
One thing she observed In her ramble
there was an easy mode OF egress and
ingress TO this part into the hall, and
marks Of recent footsteps on the floor
told that this formed the entrance place
TO the person who prepared and bought
the food she was nightly to place on the
iron shelves.
Another thing struck her; in all the
premises there was not the slightest APP
pearance Of the concealed room, in which
she knew the treasure was secreted.
Only bare, blank wall appeared upon
the side where she knew it must be.
Retracing her steps after all had been
examined. she unfastened the door, and
then sought the Haunted Tower.
The door leading TO this was closed,
but not bolted, So she opened II, and
crossing quite q large square place. she
began ascending a long flight of stairs.
The steps We're steep. and not at all
easy, and she became very tired before
she reached the top, but pressing on, she
did reach il. but not before she paused TO
rest upon a broad, fat landing: paused,
too, with horror, at an unexpected sight
that there presented itself.
1t was the stuffed image Of man,
fixed upon wires, that worked upon the
same principle as the jumping Jacks
often bought TO amuse children.
This, however, was nearly as large as
life: its head was hollow, with red glass
in place where the eyes would be, So
that q lighted glass lamp, placed within,
would give a flaming appearance 10 those
eyes.
she could easily imagine what the whole
terrific effect must be 10 an outside be-
holder. This figure, she saw, could be
elevated and put in motion by winding
up crank TO which ii was attached.
Arrangements for different colored
lights We're also on every hand.
After carefully examining all the ma
chincry until she perfectly understood
its workings and the whole wicked plan
10 give supernatural appearance 10 the
tower. Ethel passed upward until she
could gaze without hindrance upon the
tail windows of this lofty place.
Then eyclamationS of delight escaped
her. for there she could catch an nuob-
structed view of the grand panorama that
stretched for miles and miles away on
every side.
But she did not linger, fearing she
would be seen by some of the Villagers,
and her presence reported To Sir Reg
inald.
This visit She knew would be displeaS
ing To him. if he wished it 10 he a place
that should iii every heart with fear, in
order 10 keep visitors from il by day a.
well as by night.
After. then, one more glance around
on the glorious scene that lay before
her, she descended, glad that she had
been there, had seen the true inward
ness of the place, for now il certainly
could never have a feeling Of terror with
Which 10 inspire her heart.
Let any person ever speak 70 her Of the
fearful sights seen in that lonely Haunt
cd Tower. she could turn away unawed.
knowing the whole thing 10 he a de-
ccpIion. :, heartlcss Imposition a wicked
iraai.