The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-25
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THE SPECTRAL FRIAR
MARY S. HANCOCK.
ArrHon OF "A CROSS OF STARS, Ere, ETC.
COPYRIGHT, 1892, BY T1Iorsos & soS.J

first time,
BE sat in his study; such a splendid room
Il was, old-fashioned aud long we'll stocked
with book shelves and books, and heavy.
crimson silk curtains, that cast deep, red
shadows when the sun shone upon them, or
the freight fell upon their folds The
furniture, the shelves, aud the books Of this
room went with the houss, and the heir
looms belonging 70 the living; as we'll as
few old-time portraits that hung 10 the wide
ball and on the dining room walls.
Adrian Graham rather resented these por-
traits. but, after all, he need not have done
go. for the persons represented were mostly
connected with bis own family, six genera
tions of Grahams having held the living, at
the gift Of the most noble patron. the Earl
of Grantchestsr; until the descen dants OF
che house of Graham had almost come to
believe that the next presentation was theirs
90 perpetuity aud would infalhbly descend
to succeeding sons Of that reverend house
hold.
Adrian Graham had come to it on the
death of his uncle, with whom he had not
been on the best Of terms. He thought it
rather good of the old earl to remember him
in the matter, as he had never visited
Eaglesoliff, having been born and bred in q
southern diocese, while Eaglesclif Is. as
everybody knows, in the extreme north.
He had been duly indicted, had Tread him
self in" and was now smoking his first pipe
IN his new study.
The day had been eventful, as the day OF
. new homecoming is always, and especially
when a host of ancient links bind one, as ii
Ehis case, to an old house. While be sat
smoking, deep IN the depths of comfort
able armchair, Adrian Graham reviewed
his past history. and mapped out his future
H. 49, aK.A I,N hat
he would make improvements in the fine old
church, concerning which he felt a glow of
pride and pleasure. He was unmarried,
and be resolved to spend and be spent for
the benefit OF bis church and his parish.
y Not new sentiments these, perhaps, see
Sng that they are expressed by every man
who accepts living. or prepares to devote
himself to the good Of others but they were
not the less creditable for that. They re-
Elected the greatest honor upon the young
cleric and made his pale face glow, and his
pulse beat faster. Wrapt in dreams Of this
kind he did not see that the room had grown
dark, and that lamps were necessary to his
comfort. The red glow OF the fire cleaned
upon the rich bindings of the books. upon
the dark carved oak, upon the crimson
hangings; and made cheerful oenter in a
somewhat solemn, If handsome. apartment. !
When q man is oontented and happy, when
be has attained the summit OF his present
peace, be does not stop 10 consider whether
the room in which he sits is cheerful or
gloomy. He lie at ease in himself, and that
is sufficient for him.
Adrinn Graham was thoroughly peace
full. AS the smoke curled softly amid the
shadows on the ceiling, his thoughts made
themselves busy with the recollection OF one
who had looked forward to this day as
eagerly as he had; one he had hoped soon
10 bring to Eaglesclif vicorage as his wife.
His wife, The word brought a smile to bis
face and a tender look to his eyes. What
visions he called upl He looked down the
vista thus opened before him and the smile
deepened into perfect content. Thinking
and dreaming in his deep armchair, he for
got how the time was flying and was only
aroused to consciousness by hearing the
heavy grating Of the keys in the large trout
door
"How late is it," he exclaimed aloud He
had bad habit, this young man; be talked
70 himself at odd moments and always en-
hdute UotG. But tonight the sound OF his
voice had curious ring and sounded like a
trumpet-can in that quiet room.
Then came an indetinable sensation-that
he was not alone. When he grasped this
fact be sat up, and he looked about. He
even rubbed bis eyes, thing he had not
done since childhood. but this did not dis
pei the illusion. The room seemed full of
shadows, and the freight falling fitfully
here and there only intensified the gloom
beyond. But Adrian Graham saw not the
bright red glow, nor the twinkling Jets that
farted in and out between the bars. His at
tsntion was fixed and riveted by the most
remarkable object it had ever fallen TO him
TO behold. Sitting in the chair opposite was
the figure of black-rubed friar. whose
wasted form and hollow-sunken eyes fixed
impenetrably on Adrian's face held the new
vicar speeohless aud awe-struck for the
moment.
: he gazed with wide-open eyes at the
spectral form; ana the friar's wistful
chances held him spell-bound. There was
such an eagerness in his aspect that the
vicar forgot his fear forgot even a sense of
horror that had oppressed him at first; and,
acting upon an unfathomsble impulse, he
etarted forward 70 speak.
Cowardice had never been one of Adrian's
failings, although the intangible always
possesses more terror than what may bs
handled and felt.
~ But, setting sside this slight nervous feel.
ing, he faced the gaunt and motionless
s figure with the words. "What are you doing
. bere?
The sound Of his voice made him rather
holder. and he asked again: "Who are your
To his estonishment the sad-faoed friar
smiled gently, and yet not without emotion
be answered at once: Il was what you are.
,Bsre In this very house, once lived and
books, aud gazed upon the f1re-light that
blazed upon this very hearth-a long, long,
time ago-s long, long, time ago." He
paused and shook his head solemnly, as he
wepeated these words."
"." And why do you revisit this placesn
asked the new vicar anxlously. "There
must be surely some affair Of moment that
calls you from your last rest SO urgently
what is it, You may safely speak TO me-"
The spectral friar raised his head, aud
his sad eyes read the others face earnestly.
Then he smiled again, as IL to himself II
never rest" he said at last Never
There will be neither ease nor pain for me
until tell my tale to one who will help
me in the way best calculated to give me
release. To this end, meet every mourn
bent when be first takes possession; but
none have ever met me as you have done.
with SO much cAlmness and self possession"
A smile crossed Adrisn Grahams face as
be listened. Not much Of calmness had ap-
peared in the first instance. My Uncle
6eptimus-did he not hear your talel" he
askeo, with little feeling Of amusement.
The friars unmoved countenance took
deeper shade Of gravity.
ALIAS no, he replied. "He fed from me
before had time 70 speak; and ever after
he Stunned this room, using IL but little"
And be only held the living for a few