San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-07-15

! I y
81 do not krlop toho can tell me better
than you tUhdt tCdnt to knOlC."
Near the roadside, but almost hidden
from sight and darkened by dense shade
trees, stood square stone house, old,
and wearing deserted air. The neigh
bors were gone who had gathered to see
the late owner, the last of his name,
carried to the little family graveyard,
which, with its broken stone wall and
neglected graves, lay in distant corner
of the property.
A strange light which betokened a
coming storm shone for few minutes
through the narrow windows of long,
low room, and showed the features of
the two men, who sat silent before the
fire of logs that burned in the great
fireplace. The elder, small, gray
haired man, with clear cut features and
dark piercing eyes, was the family law
yer. Opposite to him and gazing gloom
lily into the fire was the only representa-
tive of the family, dark man of mus
cular build and strongly marked fea-
lures. "He looks like all the men of his
race, with a difference. Better blood
has come in somewhere; he has a good
face-more than could be said for the
others. Hard men they were to deal
with" The younger man looking up
caught the old lawyers eyes. fixed on
him.
"You will stay here tonight, will you
not, Mr.. Nelson? There is every sign of
a coming storm, and the drive to the
cars would not be pleasant in it. need
not tell you that shall be grateful for
your company in this dismal old house.
| used to hear whispers of its being
haunted, when was boy, and tonight
would not be hard to convince" and
he looked around the darkening room, in
whose corners the shadows lay deep
with smile that was far from cheerful
"There comes the rain" as few drops
splashed against the windows.
THANK you, will stay if it is con-
venient," said the older man.
"Then it is settled, and perhaps you
can give some information that l want.
But will go first and see old Han
nah and ask her to bring us lights"
In a few minutes he returned and
threw himself into a deep old chair.
Perhaps when | hear what you can
probably tell me, and what l ought to
know about my mothers family, shall
find it is case for darkness rather than
light" he said. GAS my uncle's will
leaves everything to me, except legacies
to his old servants, ought to know if
there was any truth in queer stories and
hints l used to hear from old people who
lived around here when was boy and
visited my uncle. Was there any flaw
in our title to the property"
what do you remember of their
stories?' asked the old lawyer, looking
keenly at the speaker.
"There was name they used to refer
to mysteriously-an old couple named
Douglas. remember an old colored
woman who lived in little cabin OH
the place. 1t used to stand out there,
pointing through the window, where,
by the dim light, might still be seen,
through gap in the dark evergreens,
a heap of stones and rubbish in field
the lawn. "Once she grew
angry with me for some slight cause, |
and she said to mel can see her yet |
pointing her shriveled finger at me-
Go way, boy, yore hearts bad, jes' like
all yore peoples. When yore old gram
father died l saw snake come out from
that swamp where ole Douglas pore
little house STAINS, and follow after the
hearse-saw that with these ole eyes.
A hard death he died, too, ole Carney
said, swearin and screamin. l guess he
ole Douglas curse then
but there, honey as shuddered, never
min ole AIMS talk, yo' couldn't help it,
and yore father hasn't their blood nor
name, so the curse won't come on you,
pore chile and she petted me and talked
Of other things; but l never forgot her
story. Then when / came here, when
my uncle lost his wife and baby at once
they were thrown from carriage,
you know, and both killed-there were
whispers about the family curse falling
IN my uncle. You have known the
family for years, can you tell me il
here is any wrong that l can right con.
lected with the property
The lawyer turned toward him, "You
AVE often heard, no doubt, of letting