Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-05-25


Then, with returning vivacity, she adj
ded: Don't you remember that day
in your school holidays when we walk
ed over there and rembled through the
disused rooms? How we thought there
was a ghost in the hall, and ran all
the three miles back home without
once stopping?'
Il should just think I did, said the
young officer. you caught a chill
through being overheated, and the gov
ernor said he would make a sailor of
me for being such an IDIOT
"You wouldn't be afraid now?" quer-
led the girl
mo fear! laughed her companion.
Life on a man-of-war soon knocks all
the fear of spoOks out of a man."
LET us pay another visit, thenw
A sharp walk soon brought the twain
to the rusty lodge gates of Westerne
Towers.
'How dreary it looksv' said the girl.
Il wonder if that scullery window is
still unfastened?'
Charley tried, and to his surprise the
sash slipped up without difficulty. Its
case of gentlemen first this time"
said he, stepping through the aper-
ture. 'Come along, tOmbOy. If you're
not careful you'll tear your dress The
windows no bigger than the lubber-
hole of a brig"
The easement being negotiated in
sefety, together they wandered through
the cobweb-festooned rooms of the
once-palatial residence. Ascending to
second story, Robson carelessly
threw open a door of a room which
ed sight met his gaze. Sitting before
a wood fire was an elderly man, con-
templating the flames with ruminant
air. At the sound they made he turn
ed his face toward them and started
in alarm.
The next moment the youth was
across the room and graphing with the
stranger. ''You villainv' he painted,
give got you at last! Run, Allie, bring
some one quickly! / can't hold him
long; say he's a deserter from the
navy"
The trembling limbs Of the girl failed
to carry out his behests as she stood
fascinated, watching the unequal strug-
gle which was speedily ended. Youth
and agility were no match for the sail
or's sinewy arms, and in short time
Robson was ANONYMOUSLY pinned
against the wall.
With lowering brows and eyes, which
BODIED no good to his captive, West
stood staring at the lad as it undecided
what to do with him. Then, catching
sight of the pale face of Alice, who was
petrified with horror upon recognizing
in her companions antagonist the man
who had so persistently logged her
footsteps of late, his own features as
sumed a softer expression, and he NUT
tered: 1T is kismet!'
After a pause of GREATNESS silence
the ex-sailor, addressing his captive,
said: ''You are not so muscular as was
your father in his youth, young fellow.
The Charley Robson that knew would
never have allowed an old man to get
the better of him; but let that pass and
come to the crux of the matter. You
want to arrest me for deserving from
the navy. Very well, you shall, If you
still wish to after hearing what have
to say"
Releasing the grip upon his would-be
captor, the elder man, in strangely
cultured voice, addressed his auditors.
Years ago." said he, Il was known
and respected in this neighborhood,
man of substance, and member OF the
diplomatic corps. Unfortunately, in
my official capacity, became embroil-
ed in a quarrel with a political oppo-
nent, and as was more common even
fifteen years ago, the result was l had
no alternative between fighting duel
or being dishonored.
''Not to make long story, my adver-
sary and our seconds journeyed to
Guildford with me late one night, IN
tending to settle our differences at day
break on the following morning. With
the courtesy that such affairs demand
ed l offered the whole party hospitality
for the night.
s'From the moment my head touched
the pillow until / was awakened the
next morning my mind was an entire
blank, but judge of my horror when,
essaying to rise, | found the bed
clothes dabbled with blood, and at the
foot of my couch CORY hunting knife
belonging to myself. Simultaneous
with my horrible discovery the servant
found the man | was to have fought
lying foully murdered.
although conscious of my innocence
/ dared not face the inquiry which was
sure to follow, as who would believe
my own theory of the matter. which
was simply that committed the terri
BILE act in my sleep, as from childhood
1 had been subject to attacks of SOM
nambulism. Hastily caressing my in
FAINT daughter, the only pledge left me
by my departed wife, | left the house
like a felon and fed the country, and it
was hunger for glimpse of my dear
child's face that has worked my un-