The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-22
CHAPTER V.

sisters OF my mother, who had passed
the best part Of their existence in the
Cathedral square Of Marshminster. They
knew everybody anH i about every body
and pottered a b life with the as.
sistance Of a comIUl ,..Jle income which
they shared in common, trifle OF gos-
sip and a series Of afternoon teas. At
the daily services Of the cathedral they
were always to be seen and were init
mately acquainted with the dean and
chapter. Even the bishop condescended
to take tea with them ON occasions, and
they held their heads high in conse-
quence. Moreover, they loved me great
ly, though ] was but a graceless nephew
to the good souls.
When | made my appearance, the
Misses Durrant received me with open
arms. They had not expected me till
much later in the month hut had al
ready prepared tor my reception. My
portmautcau, which be.i "rdercd T. be
sent down ..i London, had arrived,
tho baduli ,f DE- y I.,u WAS thoroughly
well aired, end Raca,L their '.ud-
maiden, spread tr lie u sumpyuUus
meal. " hen | washed aud clothed my
self anew, made an excellent meal,
for the long tramp from the Fen inn
made me hungry. then sat down for
chat and a smoke.
Il think he may, Jane" limited So
phia gently.
If he sits near the open window,
Sophia, was the firm reply, whereupon,
this little comedy having been gone
through, as usual, l produced my pipe
and took my appointed station. Thus
settled, made inquiries about Bellin
Hall and its inmates.
II see you have the London beauty
down here, aunt.
"Olivia Bellin," said they both in a
breath and then sighed.
"Is there anything to mourn about,
Aunt Jane?" asked, pricking up my
ears for useful information which l
knew these gossips could supply
"Ah," sighed Aunt Jane, folding her
withered hands, who knows the wick
edness of the hearth
'Olivia's heart.
Dear me, no, Lionel" said Aunt
Sophia scsndalized. "She is good girl
AS good as she is lovely-and not SO
silly as her mother, 4" concluded the old
lady, with feminine spite.
''Then to whose heart do you alludep"
This question started duet between
the two old ladies.
"Francis Briarfeld! You remember,
Jans?'
"Yes, Sophia That hussy with the
feather boa
WAS seen speaking to him in the
cathedral by Bishop Jevon's tomb"
"And he seemed very intimate with
her ="
Still, Jane, he was glad when she
left Marshminster
Rather relieved, I think, Sophia"
"And poor Olivia Bellin knew moth.
ing about his wickedness, they con.
cluded together.
My heart beat rapidly. In this idle
talk l saw link which would bind Fe-
lix Briarfield to the girl at the Fen inn.
"Was she a pretty girl?" ! asked with
well simulated carelessness.
Handsome is as handsome does, "
snorted Aunt Jane, who was remarks-
bly, plain herself.
Sure, sister, she was not i'll look
ing" said the gentler Sophia, who had
been toast in her youth. "She had a
good figure and dark hair and eyes,
admired her complexion, Jane. 1t was
like cream and dlmple here" finished
Sophia, touching her chin. "a pretty,
pretty dimple."
"Sophiap'
"Well, it was pretty dimple, Jane.
No one can deny that.
In this description l espied Rose
Strent, especially as regards the dimple.
I had noticed it myself. Evidently there
was an understanding between this wo'
man and Felix which had led her to
taking up her quarters in the Fen inn
with her father, il indeed the landlord
was her father-a fact I was beginning
to doubt. set the garrulous ladies oil
on another tack
"Do you know anything about the
Fen inn, Aunt Jane?''
"The lone inn, child? Never name
It'll In my youth it was the scene Of @
terrible murder, and since that time
no one has lived in it save one man."
ut is now in ruins" said Sophia,
with bated breath, land is said to be
haunted" !"
docs any one 60 near itl"
mo one. / don't think there is 9
man i'll the country who would venture
near the lone inn after dark Two years
ago stranger refurnished and repaired
1t, but he did not stay longer than &
week."
"What became Of him?"
"He disappeared said Aunt Sophia
nodding her head solemnly, vanished
altogether. 1t was supposed that HI
was drowned in the marshes. The hous,
is still furnished, / believe, but no on,
goes near it "
What about the landlord"
''It's in chancery, said Aunt Jan,
wisely. "It has 10 landlord.
After this discussion l went to bet
with plenty to think about saw wei
enough that Strent and his daughte
had taken up their abode in the ruinet
house for certain purpose. That pur
pose was, Iverily believed, to encompass
the death Of Francis Briarfield, and nov
that it was accomplished they disap
peared. As Aunt Sophia said, the fur
niture Of the former proprietor was still
there, so touch or two had rendered
the house habitable This accounted 70
their unwillingness to receive me as
guest and for the mildewed aspect o
the rooms which had struck me so forci
bly,. A second tragedy had accentuatet
NJ