The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-13
THR old stone House.
4 TRAGEDY OF new YORK,
WEIRD, GLOOMY, AND MYSTERIOUS.

VElkD, tLUumIi anu MlDlhnlUUh
By ANNA KATHARINE GREEN.
Author Of "Ths Lsavsnworth Casa"
Copyright 1901 BY the Author.l
Twas riding along one autumn day through
sssrtain wooded portion Of New York State.
vhsn came suddenly upon An old stone house
4, which the marks Of age were In such start
iius contrast to Its unfinished coalition that I
inyoluntsriy stopped my horse and took . long
survey OF tho lonesome structure. Embowsrsd
IA forest which had so grown In thickness and
hsiQht since the erection OF this building that
,hs boushs Of some Of the tallsst trees almost
mstacross its deosyed roof. It presented even at
arstylsw an appearance OF picturesque solitude
almost approaching TO desolatien. But whom
nv sys had time to note that the moss was
sincine to caves from under which the scat
folding had mover been taken, and that Il the
Tan large windows In the black cd front OF
The house only two had ever becn furnished
With frames, the awe OF some tragic mystery
Nssan 10 creep over me. and sat and won
dsrsd at tho sight till my increasing interest
eompellsd me to alight and take nearer Wow
Of the place.
Th.k reat front door which had been finished
10 many years ago. but which had never been
hung. leaned against tho side OF the house. OF
which 1t had almost become part. SO long
had they chung together amid the drippings OF
inpumsrable rains. Close beside 1t yawned
the entrance q large black gap through which
nearly century Of storms had rushed with
their wiads and wet till the lintels were green
With moisture and slippery with rot Standing
On this untrod threshold iustincttvely
glanced up at the scafIolding above me and
started As noticed that it had partially fallen
away. a. II time wore weakening its supports
and making the precipitation Of the whole
. threatening possibility. Alarmed lest 1t
might fall while stood there. I did not
lngsr long beneath 1. but. with . shud-
der which I asterward remembered. stepped
into tho house and proceeded to inspect its
rotting naked. and unfinished wallis found
them all In the one condition. line house
had once been planned and nearly completed.
but It had been abandoned before the hearths
he'd been tiled or the wainscotinG nailed to its
place. Tho staircase which ran up through the
centre Of the house was without banisters. but
Otherwise finished and In state Of fair preser-
vatlon. Seeing this and not being able to re-
sist the temptation which It offered me OF In
spscting the rest Of the house. ascsnded to
The second story.
Hsre the doors were hung and the freplaces
bricked. and ~ wandered from room to room
wondered more than ever what had caused
the dsssrtlon OF 40 promising . dwelling. II.
- appeared. the first owner had died suddenly.
Why could not 40 heir have been found. and
what could b the story Of place so abandon
q and left TO destruction that it, walls gave no
Ssksn Of ever having offered shelter to . human
bsiAgf A. could not answer this question I
an - = mi 0i = IN Mi md
isrmins some weird explanation OF the facts
bsiors me whom felt my arm suddenly seized
nom behind and paused aghast Was thsn
rot alone In tho deserted building2 Was
thsrs some solitary being who laid claim to its
Oscillation and betrayed Jealousy At any intru-
slon within its mysterious precincts? Or was
The dismal place haunted by some uneasy
spirit who with long uncauny fingers stood
ready to clutch tho man who presumed to
bring living hopes and fears into spot de IL
Gated entirely to memoriss? l had scarcely
the courage to ask. but whom turned and saw
what II was that had alarmed me-. I did not
know whether to laugh ct my fears or feel In.
creased awe OF my surroundings. For 1t was
the twiRs Of tree which had seized me. and
for long limb such as this to have grown into
apscs intended for the abode OF man. neces-
sltatsd lapse OF time and depth OF solitude
oppressive to think OF.
Anxious to be rid OF suggestions we'll nigh
bordering upon the superstitlous, I took ono
Desp from tho front wlndows and then de-
sesnded to the first floor. The sight Of my
horse quietly dozinG In the summer sunlight
had rsassured NO. and By the time had re-
crossed the dismal threshold, and rsgainod
the cheerful highway. was conscious OF no
emotions deeper shan the intense interest OF .
curious mind to solve tho mystery and under
stand tho secret Of this remark able house.
Housing my horse from his comic table nap,
rode on through the forest: but scarcely had
gone dozen rods before the road took .
turn. tho treos suddenly parted. and I found
myself face to face with wide rolling meadows
and busy village. 30. then. this ancient and
ssserted house was not In the heart OF tho
woods, ss had imagined. but In the outskirts
NAtoWn. and face to face with lie and activ-
w. This discovery was . shock to my ro-
nance but as 1t gave my curiosity On imme-
d'ats hone OF satisfaction. l soon became
feeoncisd to the situation. and. taking the road
which led to the village. drew I'D before the
mn and went ir. ostensibly for reireshmsnt.
ana being speedily provided. sat down In
100 cosey dining room. and as soon as oppor-
unity offered. asked the attentive lsndlady
WY tn" old house In the woods had remained
W long deserted.
ono gave me An odd look. AID then glapced
Alas at an o d man who sat dpuoled up in tho
opposite corner. 1T is a lont story" said she.
and am busy now: but later. II you wish to
hssr 1t, will tell YOU all We know on the SUBJ
!eeI After father Ia gone out" she Whispered.
Nslways eIcltes him to hear any talk about
Mat old place"
saw that 1t did. Ihad no sooner men toned
we mouse than his white head lifted itself with
ssmsthlngllk spirit and bis form. which had
seemed . moment before so bent and aged.
,,ulshtened with an interest that made him
'eoE almost hale again.
iWili tell YOU" he broke In; II an not
sus1' l was 90. last birthday. and forget
somstlmes my grandchildren's names. but
ssVsf forget what took place in that old house
We night NIFTY years sgo-nevsr. never"
know. l know" hastily interpo ed his
sSa.asnter. you remember beautifully: bus
@n gentleman wishes to eat his dinner now.
soa must not have his appetite intsrfsred
sNa' You will wait. will you not sir. till I
nsvs little moro leisure?"
\, "aat could answer but yes. and what could
w. ooor old man do but shrink back into his