The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-05-10
4 KINGS RANSOM.

And didnl.
4 KINGS RANSOM.
A few miles from what was in by
gone days a thriving town, but now
presents nothing but a wreck and few
reminders OF vanished greatness, there
is stiIl extant the relic of what was
once a stately home. Its quaint archi-
lecture proclaims its age. Guarded on
all sides by giant pines and the inter
laeing underground of years, it is as
completely secluded, as shut away from
everyday human contact rs the famous
spot where Rip Van Wrinkle dreamed
away his shiftless youth aud repOsed
through what had every indication of
proving a trying and troublous time of
manhood. Through the rusting re-
mains of what was once an ornate iron
railing the hedges, now towering tree
like, thrust themselves in raI luxuri-
ance and the unelipped growth OF years.
Weeds and grass have long since oblit-
Grated all trace Of what was once or
derly parterres, gay with flowers. Sag
ging galleries creak dismally in the
wind, stately sweeps OF steps lie mold
ering, having fallen from their high
estate. Doors sway and drop hinge
less, and, through holes in the crum-
bling, moss-covered roof, the stars peep
and simmer. Shutterless, eye like
windows seem to stare unseeing on the
wreck, the dreary decay and ruin that
cruel time has wrought Of former great-
ness.
Within a stones throw of the ruined
mansion, but screened therefrom by a
grove of moss hung cedars, stands an
ancient mausoleum. Built of what
was once glittering white marble, time
has changed its hue to a dingy, mourn
ful gray. Small shrubs and weeds,
finding foothold in the gaping seams
of the tomb where sediment has been
deposited by wind and rain, make
brave show of yelling the sad -eolored
pile in summer, but Dipping winds
change them to dry, rattling skeletons
Of their former beauty, that stand as
though keeping guard over the last re
treat of proud but fallen rsee.
But the story has not to do with the
dreary, deserted mansion; rather with
the people who once filled it with life
and light and laughter, who lived, low
ed and vanished from their place, but
whose deeds form the warp or woof o.
many stories that cluster round the ru
ins of their former heartbstone still
Deeds of blood. perhaps of adventure
and ehivalry from the mentor they
were adventurous, hot-headed and ebiy
aIrous-of sweet charity, mercy and 70
mantle love from the women, for they
were generous, noble and lovely.
Especially lovely and beloved wai
Evelina, the daughter Of the house
and the only child. In her all th'
beauty Of a handsome race seemed t
centre and bloom afresh. All tbs
graees and witcheries of generations o
lovely women might be reproduced ans
enhanced in the person of this beauti
ful girl-beautiful in character and dis
position no less than in form and fea
ture.
She had many suitors, but she hesi
tated long, gracious equally to all VIII
would honor her with their name ant
fortune and not a few who would bestov
name and title for the happiness of call
ing her wife and, incidentally, sharing
her own regal fortune.
But she turned them all aside. gently
regretfuliy, may be, until her fancy wa
captivated by one who seemed the less
likely of all her suitors to meet her ia
vor. He was a grave and taciturn ma
with bent shoulders and iron gray hail
generally considered old, though mel
older by several years considered then
selves gay gallants still. He was nit
when he astonished the county by pro
posing to and being accepted by Eve
lima How it happened that she fell i
love with this selfcontained, nndemer
strative elderly man is like the blesse
mass-a mystery. But love him sh
did, and the whole country was invite
TO the betrotbal feast.
Dozens of lovely women, dressed
triie gaily, as southern women are al
to be, and as they were won't TO be s
that period, filed the drawing rooI
and dining-hall of the mansion. Pail
colored silks Wed with wonjerfully-co
ored satins, handsome laees veile
wealth of glittering gems, and thoug
there were many jewels Of price wor
that night, none equaIed in beauty an
value the magnificent gem placed o
the hand Of the bride elect by ht
grave. elderly lover. Pausing near h'
mother In the course Of the evenin,
Evelina held up her hand, making Ii
gem flash and sparkle in the sabdue
light
HAhP' calculated the elder womai
sit is indeed superb. 1t is well wort
q kings ransom"
"a kings ransom"
The girl smiled. II was worth f
more than that to her, for it represen
ed more. It's deep lights and fiicke
ing shadows meant much. Not Il
mere dross OF vulgar wealth, of whic
It was the symbol II was the outwal
and visible sign of the inward, inyis
BILE grace Of a good mans love.
The great, wistful eyes Of Alec, Il
handsome olive skinned waiter WI
fitted noiselessly among the gues