Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-07-14

mcnts. and the opening and shutting OF
doors,D explained Mrs. Moreland. "Mere
nervousness, you may say, but cannot
forget that The Elms had stood empty
ten wears when your Uncle Barton pur-
chased it Just before his departure for
India, nearly twenty years ago, and was
even then popularity believed 10 De
haunted. My brother was also told tna5
there is an underground passage from
the cellar to the lake, although l have
never been able to find any trace OF It,"
"Why, in that case," suggested jessie,
looking startled, "may not the noise we
have heard be caused by human lntruu.
crs? Did Uncle Barton ever live here"
certainly; several months"
"Then he may have discovered the
underground passage referred to, and
wouldn't it be splendid if Uncle Barton
should take it into his head to come
home suddenly and secretly, and get INTO
the house without our knowing anything
about it, and take good look az us oe-
fore showing himself?" :,
"Oh, yes; that would be very nice' :,
replied Mrs. Moreland, with smile and
n sigh. abut your Uncle Barton is rather
foo practical for that sort OF perform
ance. It's far more likely that gang
of tramps or other marauders may be
making free with The Elms by means OF
the secret passage"
The suggestion of Mrs. Moreland gave
Jessie a positive shock.
"Let's be off, she proposed, laying
down her knife and fork abruptly. u
shall never dare sleep here again."
"Oh, there's no necessity OF Deins
quite so nervous" assured Mrs. more
land. "Eyen if such persons were to In
trude upon us, they would have every
motive for keeping as shady as posslole.
Then. again, even If there is secret
massage from the cellar to the lake, IL is
bv no means likely that there is secret
massage between the cellar and the rest
of the house." You can finish your
supper"
ai have had all want, mamma" re-
tnrned Jessie. Besides, the voyage
will not be long one, and we can take
! along with us a good basket of lunch"
aWell. I am not so hungry as to neeo
to linger here longer" declared Mrs
Moreland. as she arose and set aoou'
clearing off the table, sand the sooner
we are off the better"
The words were Immediately followed
bv a brisk ring at the door.
The ladies started nervously, exchang
ing questioning glances:
WAS the newcomer Vance? Was NJ
Radd Moreland? Or who could ne De , d
that hour. considering how rarely I'M
Films had received visitor, other thal
the Young physician and his uncle?
AZ the couple stood undecided, almos
holding their breath, the ring was re
peated.
Selling lamp, Mrs. Morcland led tn
wav to the door, which she cautlousl
ooh. it is you, Mr.. Sheen?" she e1
claimed. with polite bow at sight 9
the visitor. 49,, g.,
"Yes. ma'am. Here's letter 10
vou - extending it. II was coming tn
way, and thought / would take u
liberty of handing it in, as you SCENE
70 be so anxious when you inquired In
morning."
"Many thanks, Mr.. Sheen"
The thoughtful and good-natured vi
itor was already turning away, u
, young lady he was waiting upon residil
near by. and Mrs. Moreland had bare
time to return his goodnight before
vanished.
"Such an incident as this shows D
how much my nerves arc weakening
remarked Mrs. Moreland, as she Close
tbe door. 81 am all in tremble!
, $50 am 7. mammal" returned Jessl
= "And just because postofnce clel
comes few steps out OF his way 10 q
= us letter hepresumes we are anxious
+ awaiting"
y (Which isn't, after all, the letter
were so anxious about-your Uncle ia
TOMS y observed Mrs. Moreland, glancn
=. at it.. "It's from Mrs. Barnett"
It was with nervous hand that M
= Moreland opened the letter, and Win
:. nnzzled air that she entered on Its pei
~ sal. but her face quickly frightened.
It was in every respect such letter
n long-trusted and faithful housekeeI
Il would write, reporting the state IN wnl
6 she had found the cottage at Egg lslal
- and what measures she and the chame
- maid had taken to prepare 1t 1or oc'
" nancy. 1t contained a number
:, thoughtful suggestions, and concluo
= = with the hope thS. the mother, a
!. daughter would arrive as promptly
v possible
J, ats a relief to find that they are
y right commented Mrs Moreland,
~ ~ she folded the letter and thrust 1t Il
- her pocket. at is also pleasant to rem
a that we have such comfortable retr'
~ ~ at our disposal. Let's put everything
" rights here in the course OF the NJ
n hour and take our departure"
!" aBut ought we not to make some
- rangement about the letter we exp
y " from Uncle Barton?" asked Jessie, as
60 60 couple resumed the task Of clearing
r. table. -,
81 ayes, we ought" returned the moth
20 aWhat pity that VIC did not speak
q Mr.. Sheen when he was here. But
~ drop a line from our new address TO n;
~ the letter forwarded. That will suflic
90 Little more was said until eyeryth
-" at The Elms had been put In order
in the proposed absence.
- "What do we need 10 take with u
he then asked Jessie.
ia "Nothing more than our toilet and
~ 10 sonal effects" answered Mrs Morela
~ ~ aand they will all go into that solid leat
ly nortmanteau. which we can rea'