Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-10-26
A DROP OF BLOOD.

ed to lcok after some legal business at
Boone Courthouse, W Va. Leaving the
railroad at Brownstown and taking di-
rections and horse from my landlord
at that point [ set out through the
mountains early i'll the afternoon. ex-
pecting to reach Racine i'll time for sup
per.
AS the afternoon waned, however,
noticed that the road became constant
ly rougher and apparently more unfre-
quented until it was little more than a
deserted pathway that crossed and re-
crossed the gravelly bed Of a dry creek
in mad effort to remain in the narrow
valley that wound circuitously among
the mountains, whose black timbered
SUBMITS seemed to stretch higher and
higher above me in the gathering twl-
light. It being a cloudy day, was
completely mystifed as to the points Of
the compass, and it now became evident
to me that I had in some manner missed
my way. had already gone too far to
retrace my steps before nightfall, so
that unless [ speedily found shelter l
would be obliged to pass the night i'll
the open air.
Being i'll nowise pleased with this
prospect, concluded to press on a lit
tie farther before abandoning the quest
and had barely formed this resolution
when bend i'll the pathway brought
he into full view of what appeared to
be q large, square, southern mansion,
surrounded by trees and situated a lit
tie way up the slope Of a remarkably
lofty mountain that rose precipitously
behind it.
A nearer approach revealed all out
ward appearance of overgrowth and di-
lapidation. The fence had fallen down
in several places. The open gate was
barely supported by its rusty hinges.
The yard was a mass of weeds. The
condition Of the house I could not de-
termine i'll the dim light made DINNER
by the heavy shadows of the trees. Be-
tween the tall weeds and briers there
was a wide stone walk leading from
the gate to the front door.
The prospect was not an inviting one,
Tut as my situation had become some
what desperate I determined if possible
to obtsi az inmodations for the night.
My repeated knocks elected no re-
Spouse beyond a hollow echo, and con-
Guiding the place to be deserted l tried
the door. Somewhat to my surprise, it
yielded, the rusty hinges creaking ter
.ribly as pushed itwide open. AS en-
tered I was greeted by that musty, life
less odor common to places long closed
and .uninhabitesi I had matches with
mo, and striking one I looked about me.
1 was in a wide hall. Before me
dark staircase, partially whitened with
dust, led to rooms above. To the lett
and right were closed doors, and attach
ed TO the white easement of the latter
was a little bracket candelabra contain
ing cluster Of six half consumed wax
candles. Lighting two Of these, took
one of them from the holder and open
ing tie door at my right entered.
The room in which I found myself
was apparently the parlor of the desert
ed mansion. The dust covered haircloth
furniture, which had evidently been for
many years undisturbcd, was of a style
massive and once much in vogue. a
number of paintings and engravings
were upon the walls in furnished gilt
frames. A large chandelier suspended
in the center of the room was OF elabo-
rate workmanship. The floor was COW
cred with a. heavy mating, the exact
nature of which I could hardly deter
mine, owing to the thick covering Of
dust. Passing Oh to the adjoining room,
was not disappointed in finding it to
be large bedroom with all the appoint
ments peculiar to an old time southern
home Of wealth. approached the tall
canopied bed i'll the opposite corner and
drew back the curtains. 1t was ready
for the guests for which it had SO long
waited. The bedding was yellow with
age, but the canopy had protected it
from the dust 1t had not been occupied
for years.
] confess | was possessed with a sense
of awe amid these surroundings but
not being of a timid nature l deter,
mined to pass the night beneath this
roof i'll preference to enduring the heavy
fog that always gathers at night in these
mountains Leaving my candle lighted,
[ returned to my horse and arranged his
bride rein SO that he could eat the grass
for q considerable space about him.
Then, removing the saddle, I returned
with it to my strange quarters.
Frying open one of the creaking Win
dows and its heavy shutters to let fresh
air into the musty apartment fasten-
ed back the draperies of the tall bed and
threw back the long unused bedding,
the odor of which reminded me Of cere-
ments. TO relieve this somewhat | COW
cred the pillow with my coat, and re-
moving only my outer garments l lay
down, for l was greatly fatigued with
riding. al exercise to which Twas total
~ unaecustomsd.
Ny candle had, with few drops Of
melted wax, affixed to q small table
near the center of the room, and having
no desire TO remain i'll darkness i'll this
lonely place left it burning.
As l lay there, wondering at my
strange surroundings and not altogether
free from q sense Of fear at the silence
and shadows Of the deserted place, now
noticed for the first time that beyond
my candle and a little to the left there
hung against the partition wall separat
ing the two rooms a full length portrait
of a lady. The picture was al oil paint
ing and the execution admirable. 1t was
fully life size, and the frame that i'll
closed it wide and elaborate, although
now 4a,,nicbad and duStV
But it was the figure itself that most
attracted me- The face was that of q
woman not beyond 20 years of age and
beautiful in the extreme. Her hair was
a wealth of glistening gold, her dress
that of bride, The picture appeared to
have suffered but little from age, and
the light as it fell upon It made the
view from my position remarkably good.
AS ! lay there i'll silent contemplation
of this beautiful portrait I forgot any
incipient fears that had lowered about
me and fell to specializing upon the his
tory of this deserted house and the story
of that fair bride.
Twas too tired to muse long. My eye
lids grew heavier, and caught myself
,ningling fact and fancy without being
able to distinguish them. Then L fell