Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-10-06
ORIGINAL STORY.
Mortimer Montasue's Fate.
CHAPTER |


at the open window, viewing the grand
landscape before him, and listening
to the low moan of the wind in the
gnarled and massive trees that stood
beside and around the grand old man
sion, and ever and anon, as if expect
ing to see weird and grotesque images,
cast his eyes toward every corner of
the gloomy, quiet room. No sound
disturbed the stiffness save a lonely
cricket-sole occupant of the apart
ment. He had but recently returned
from the frontier of Arizona. where,
for five years, he had been engaged
in wild, yet prosperous speculation,
and whence, for some cause best
known to himself. he had returned
unexpectedly to his parents. The
latter, however, about the middle of
May had sailed for Europe.
Father, mother and sister-all
gone p he said interrogatively to the
old and faithful colored man and wife
who had been entrusted with the keys
and custody of the homestead. II am
very sorry | missed them. How long
did they expect to be absent ?"
"Two months, sir"
''Are all the persons Lying still who
resided here when | was at home !?
Who is at the parsonage!
"Mr. Bruce"
"Where is Mr.. Carroll ?"
LA, me, sir, he and his wife have
been dead these three years and Miss
May went way off with his sister after
the funeral; never been back since,
and she was a beauty, Sir, tell you.
Poor thing, she was so grieved but
that is debt we all got to pay"
Mortimer felt deeply all that was
told him, but was silent. The Mon
tagues were a high.minded, aristo-
cratic, sectary people, and five years
before Mortimer left home he found
great happiness with May. The par
sonage was on the end of his fathers
plantation. They We're mere childl en-,
he going to college, and she also. But
the germs of love had taken firm
hold, not to be uprooted by the trivial
reverses of fortune. His mother re-
marked to him one day
Mortimer, would you not like to 90
round with me to see some nice young
ladies A young man should be very
careful how he selects his lady ac-
quaintaEces. Position is to be desired,
and, remember, the Montagues are
proud old race
He thought then she was alluding to
May. That was enough he made up
his mind to leave at once. His
parents demonstrated, but with no
avail. He could not resist the tempta
ton to visit May, and the wisest thing
to do was to travel, which he did.
And now the main object for which
he returned had failed; his hearts
idol was shattered.
so. miserable man that | am! If
could only see May once more! But
in what part of the world to look for
her [ know not. | cannot remain long
here alone, nor anywhere in the
seclusion of the country. | believe l
will go to the seashore and try to
drive dull care away"
Go where he w1uld, do what he
might. her image was ever before him.
Enshrlned, as it had been in every
thought from his earliest boyhood,
could he now tear the image from his
heart? No, no! he did not wish to do
so.
After this revere he left on the
early train for the seashore.
CHAPTER II.
A myriad of lights streamed from
cottage boarding-houses and hotels.
Mortimer wended his way up to the
best hotel and asked for room,
which was soon shown him. After a
refreshing nights rest, he breakfasted
and went out to view the surround
ings. In looking around he observed
far away, on a very high point, an
ivied, tlme-worn castle. He turned
to colored man and asked
"Who resides in the castle?"
At the instant an elderly gentleman
passed and turned to see who had
asked the question.
ga Scotchman resides there with his
wife and daughter"
The husband had just passed.
Mortimer was tall, very graceful,
handsome as could be, and would
attract attention, even there.
"Can you give me his name p
Certainly his name is Carroll"
You are sure it is Carroll ?"
! so, yes, sir; know him. He has