Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-06-10
THE OLD MANSION.
BY MAY r. DOLPH.

Mr.. Vaudeville had just come into
his "fficc on blowy, Dlue-skicd, bIus
tering March day in The SOS, where
the open gratc-firc presented an ap'
pearance of comfort, and the clcrk
was busily occupied in engrossin4
leases for the coming first of May.
In an arm-chair before the cheory
canncl-coal blaze sat ali agent, bluff,
red-faced man, who wore PC per-
and salt suit, and ,havcd his countc-
nance very close indeed.
"Nell? said Vaudeville, curtlv.
"Thc old Wakeham house is lct,'
said Mr.. Luray, sat twelve hundred
dollars for boarding house. No re-
pairs"
"That's good ncws," said the ric,l
man."
"'Evcry house in the Windham
Block has gone off at nine hundred
like hot cakes" added Luray, COM
placcntly. Every attractive houses,
those. l only wish | had dozen
more like 'em. The place on Second
square needs repairs; you'll be obliged
to have plumber and carpenter
right off," !,
"Sec 10 it, tlcn.' said Manlf
beginning TO glance at the pile OF.
opened letters on his desk little i'm
patiently.
"And there's the Morand Mansion,"
added Mr.. Luray, cup on The Harlem
River"
"What! !" cried Vaudeville, sharply.
"Isn'l that let yel?n
dts my opinion, sir" said Mr..
Luray, slowly, "ihere's something
radically wrong about that there
house. Nobody wants it. Ips been
in the market three successive years
and it won't so off, nolIow we can fix
it."
"But," Vaudeville exclaimed,
"what do you mean? 1t isn't
hauntcd?'
"Not to my knowledge, SIR" said
the agent; "unlcss the tenants have
chosen TO get up ghost for their
special cdilicaiion."
"Thc tenants arc distant relations
of my own," said Mr.. Mandcvilc, a
little haughtily. al have not met
them for many years, but have
reason TO believe they are ladicz.''
"Perhaps SO, sir" said Mr.. Luray,
dryly. "But it has occurred 10 my
mind, now and again, as things will
occur, you know, sir, that perhaps
had better go up there and see about
it,"
"Not a bad idca," said Vaudeville.
"lll go myself"
And lie went.
The Morand Mansion was a great
antique house of moss covered gray
stone on the banks of the Harlem
river, with borders of yellow dnffodils
outlining its path like ribbons of gold,
and the earliest crocuscs blossoming
around its doorsteps, while hoary old
pear-trccs dropped their loughs in the
garden, and a superb white-piae tree
spread its umbrella of black
shadow over tho paved court in
front.
'r. Vaudeville rang at tho do T.
po'', glancing as he did so at the .cro
.et," which had become detached
from It's board. and lay wcdgcd in
tangle of gooscberry bushes. A black
eyed, handsome young elf came TO the
door, with mass of gypsy back hair
curling down her back, and faded
calico frock, which was neverihc less
whole and neat.
sis this house TO letP' Mr.. Mandc-
vile politely asked.
"Ye-e-s," mwillingly admitted
Miss Natilie Vane, commonly known
as "Natty," with glance at the bat
tered board which lay face downward
among the gooseberries. cat least
the agent told us so-and cross old
growler he was.n
"Could | look at it?' said Mr..
Vaudeville. insinuatingly.
lit amt convenient" answered
Miss Natty, planting herself within
the door in such a manner that he
could not possibly obtain an entrance
without her permission.
"But the sign says 'to be seen be-
tween the hours of twelve and four, -
argued Mr.. Vaudeville, consulting his
chronometer. "And it is now half
past one."
~