The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-11-23

l fegsA TIA jsIaghf as Nelson had writ
ten, q orig Isoleted mt, win therriv<r
on one side 9nd the gioughs, now covered
with 4 skim of icfs eating 1t on from the
mainland, on the other Vines and brush
and scrubby trees had evidently at one
time covered Its entire surface. but over
its whole length and breadth there was
nothing standing now but two tall trees.
One of these was almost shorn of limbs,
and the other stood at an angle Of 40 de-
grees, the roots at Its base sticking
straight up into the air. Rocks and
chunks Of earth and bits of wood were
strewn everywhere, and right in the CEN
ter of the island was great hole an acre
or more In extent. Here the doctors lab
oratory had stood.
walked along the edge Of the exeava-
ton and looked down into its depths,
and. thesun shining right, was able to
make ont at its bottom few rocks and q
hand mirror glittering in the light, the
only thing found intact upon the prem
ises. Not sign of Nelson's remains
were seen, and, with heart heavy with
In me, rode back with the farmer the
way We had come.
Each anniversary OF that January eve
on which Nelson had made known to me
his fatal intentions barring two during
the last ten years he has visited me. The
first time he came was terribly shocked
and startled by his presence and the un-
usual manner of his coming. Indeed, so
bewildered and unsteadied was my mind
that l have no right conception of what
took place on that occasion. This much,
however, recall well and good:
He walked in through the door without
80 much as opening 1t and, coming to the
fire, held his hands for a moment to the
warmth then, leaning up against the
mantel in his old familiar way, lit cigar
and began to smoke.
While be was doing this was trying,
as best knew how, to get back into my
own way and to check little the terror
that was upon me.
After he had regarded me for bit and
i had brought my eyes to bear upon his
face with some degree of composure he
said:
"Well, old boy, I'm back, you see, to
have a chat with you. 1t has been a
whole year since was here and yet it
seems but little while, but time flies
fast when one is busy, and have been
full Of work"
And all the while he was speaking
did not see his lips move once, save as he
pulled at his cigar, keeping little flag
Of smoke rising up to the ceiling, and his
voice, while thought it bit hollow and
thin, was still quite clear and natural.
How am getting on with the exper-
inent? Oh, very well. Encountering
some difficulties, as / expected, but in
the main everything Is moving along
first rate"
In this way he kept OH talking for o
matter of on hour, I should think, an
swering feigned questions and nodding
and smiling the meanwhile as pleasantly
as could be.
When he had finished the cigar, he
threw the stub into the fire and waving
me gentle goodby went in the same
strange manner that he had come, leav.
ing me quite out Of my wits, my body all
over In cold sweat.
have grown accustomed to these Wis
its since then, however, and now look
forward to them with sort of friendly
satisfaction. Each recurring year he has
very much the same thing to tell me, and
he comes and goes In very much the same
way. notice, too, that he changes lit
tie each year, as men Of this world do,
until now he Is an old man, with gray
beard and stopped shoulders.
Once only and that some two years aft
er poor Nelson's death have I visited
the island. The same gossiping old man
took me to the place. and Of him inQuir-
ed IL the island was occupied,
occupied? Bless your SOUL no. No
man in this part O. the country could be
induced to set foot on 1t, at least not aft.
er nightfall. Why? The place 10 haunt.
ed, SIR"
Haunted" I calculated.
Eyes, sir, and in the worst sort o. man
ner possible, If I may Judge in that way,
sir. That doctor friend o yours still con.
tinues to work theer O. nights. You can
see him any night, cir, movin about
among his pots and mortars until nigh
onto in the mornin. At that hour there
il terrible explosion mot 80 loud as the
real one, sir), an everything goes up in
puff Of smoke. Here we are at the place
itself. Go over and have a look at it9
No, sir. I'm just as near as ! ever care
to get to it, an II you'll take my advice
you'll remain on this side O the slough
yourself, SIR"
And this is that other reason why the
place has remained all these years undis-
turbed and ninhabited.-Chicago News.