Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-07-27


wings and uttering dismal cries at the
unwcnted invasion of their premises.
A chill ran through Mr.. E.. How
he wished for even the neighborhood of
his horse, or anything that had life; the
company of dog would have been in
valuable; fain would he have stretched
himself in the stable, but, dreading to
awaken the sarcasm of his grim host,
he said nothing. They reached the
grand entrance, On opening, the door
grated harshly and complainingly ON its
rusty hinges and rush of night winds
moaned bodingly as they entered.
While ascending the staircase dim
shadows seemed to gather and troop
around them, with fantastic gestures
bcckoniny them onward; a thousand
spirit eyes peered inquisitively out of
the arches and frets in the ceilings:
snatches of faint song echoed through
the corridors; glimpses he had of half
formed faces fitting about in corners,
and whispers and sighs Aoated ON the
air. Mr.. E. again smiled at his own
imaginings, and making strong mental
effort fairly shook off all further non
scnsical apprehensions. They thorough
ly examined the room destined for him
and the adjacent ones, and afterward
looked through those below, one of
which was a hall of magnificent dimen-
sions superbly carved and gilded in the
old style.
His companion reiterated his ,,ssur-
ances that no living being save himself
would be III the castle, and, with an in
vitation to breakfast at his house in the
morning, bade him good night. Mr..
E. attended him to the door, double
locked and chained it after him, and
then ascended to his own apartment,
which he also carefully locked and Sc
cured He certainly was situated very
pleasantly.
The rain now came down in torrents,
but the tremendous peals of thunder
above him and the vivid flashes of
lightning which occasionally pierced
their way through the heavy danlask
curtains only so much the more en-
hanced tho value of his comfortable re-
treat and made his feelings those of un-
mingled satisfaction. A bright fire
blazed on the old fashioned hearth, and
two WAX candles stood lighted on an ele-
CANT inlaid table beside it.
The room was richly furnished in an
antique style, and the luxurious couch,
to one tired as he was, looked extremely
inviting to repose. But the inclination
to sleep had quite left him, and strange
wakefulness had superseded all his for
mer almost overpowering WEAKNESS.
Several noble paintings by the great
masters, Guido and Da Vinci, adorned
the walls, one of which was beautiful
picture of the Virgin and Child" rep
resenting him while yet the radiant
brow was unpierced by thorns, and ere
the delicate fair cheek had been sub
jected to the blow of the smiter, OF the
prayer of prayers had been gasped by
those cherub lips. Upon these he unused
for an hour or so, and then, according
to his usual custom, opened his pocket
Eible and read and meditated until his
excitement passed away, and a sacred
calm gradually settled upon him.
Suddenly his attention was aroused by
singular commotion in the room be-
low. Heavy tables were dragged about,
dishes and glasses ratified, chairs vio-
lently pushed hither and thither, doors
slammed and in short he heard every
noise attendant upon the laying out of
an extensive table. This unaccountable
uproar continued unabated for about
half an hour, when all at once the place
became as hushed as the grave. Soon
after Il slow. heavy step began to ascend
the stairs. Could his host have deceived
him? The ominous step continued to
ascend; nearer it drew and still nearer,
until it stopped at his door.
Three sullen knocks.
Mr.. E. paused a moment, and then
asked, "Who's thereT'
A hollow voice replied, ''The master
wants you down to suppery'
Excuse me, if you please; cannot
go down"
The dull, heavy step descended the
stairs and entered the hall below. Mr..
E. began to conjecture that band
of forgers or smugglers had made the
place their abode, and, being aware of
his proximity, wished to inveigle him
into their power in order to insure his
Lilence. His sensations We're becoming
very unenviable; but the pause was
brief, for again he heard the step as
cending-if possible, heavier and slower
than before; and again the three sullen
knocks were given.
"What do you want?'
The master wants you down to sup
PERI
Tell him | have already supped and
do not wish for more," replied Mr..
E., alarmed at this pertinacity.
The step departed as before, and he
distinguished angry voices in loud de-
bate below. Were their designs hostile,
how could he hope to escape? Egress,
unperceived, was utterly impossible. 1t
is curious to note, i'll cases of emergen-
cies, how many plausible schemes will
present themselves to the mind, which,
in placid moments, would never be
dreamed of. So, many a plan did he re-
volve i'll IL minute, but to put one in exc.
cution was out of the question. He was
d prisoner, and clearly in the clutches of
his enemies, for such they must be. His
heart sank like lead as his thoughts re-
vcrtcd to his quiet, happy home. where
the beloved onces were probably at this
very time joyously expecting him, but
who, mayhap. would never behold him
more.
The third time he heard the dreaded
foot approaching, so heavy every foot
fall now that they smote ON his ear like
cannon balls. The three sullen knocks
again.
"What do you want that you persist
In thus disturbing me2" demanded Mr..
E. loudly.
"The master wants you down to sup
per!''
81 come," said Mr.. E., and mental
ly imploring the protection of heaven
against all violence, he grasped candle
and placing his Bible under his arm
opened the door.
A grim, gigantic figure, habited in
black from head to foot, stood without,
who, motioning him to follow, led the
way to the same splendid apartment in
which he had been in the earlier part of
the evening. The door was thrown