The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-09

house. which had been the abode or
hospitality during the brighter days of
the Grevistons, and up whose capac-
ious chimneys her great fires had
roared. stood then like n sepulchre of
by-gone times. Deserted, silent, mourn
ful, the hill which 1t surmounted
seemed TO be thrusting 1t far above
the worlds activity and good cheer.
After they had passed between the
granite pillars at the entrance and
had closed the creaking iron gate
Beggs stopped and cautiously raised
the box to his ear. He instantly low
cred it. and said in a low whisper:
ut is still beating"
YES" Stiles repeated after listen
ing. ITS beating hard"
They ascended to the broad porch
and went noiselessly around to the
lighted window. The taper had
burned low and the hearth flames were
dying, but the solitary figure in the
great arm chair was plainly revealed.
Old Sydney was bent forward staring
into the embcrs. His long hair, plait-
ed and bowed, was little whittier than
his face, upon which horror of MEM
ores he could not dismiss was visible.
As the light had waned the shadows
had crept closer to him, and now
seemed to be standing back of his
chair and looking over his shoulders
as IL curious to learn what he saw In
the expiring glow.
Awed by the suggested terrors Of the
place, they tip-toed to the front door
and Beggs swung the heavy iron ring
of the knocker. A third rap echoed
hollowly through the wide passage be-
fore the old man came to the door and
asked from inside who was there.
Lewis stiles and joel Beggs," the
landlord responded.
What do you want?"
II have brought you at package that
was left at my inn"
The master of the lonely house
showed the heavy oaken bolt and open
| ed the door. The light of the new tap
| per he held showed a man aged PIE
maturely by distress. His large eyes
had a haunted look-the whole face,
| long pinched and pallid, wore the rapt
| expression of one who suffers we'll
| grounded forebodings Of the future
He invited them in, holding I'D the
| light to show the way. They noted
that he had suddenly become the
naughty Sydney Greviston they had
long known; the one in the chair by
the hearth had been a stranger 10
them.
"A young man came to my inn this
evening" Joel explained, "and asked
me to bring this package to you il nc
one came for it before IL o'clock"
And he bore a remarkable resem-
blance," said Stiles, searching the
withered face which had suddenly be-
come stolid, ito the young soldier who
died up here fifteen years ago tonight"
"Is that all, landlord?" said the old
man, ignoring Stiles, but they saw, In
spite of his efforts to hide them, tha:
his frail hands were shaking as il with
palsy.
He said there was no message, but
I fell 1t my duty to advise you, sir
81 do not need your advice. my man;
I have been expecting the package"
Very well. sir" Beggs asqricsced
II only wished to ask you to put youl
ear TO the package"
MY ear? What for?'
What is an ear for" Stiles inter
posed, Indignantly, but TO listen?"
With labored smile old Sydney ben
and listened. His lips were tremb
ling, when he rose, but he asked will
well-feigned credulity:
What is there to hear?"
sydney Greviston," said stiles, "ff
teen years ago tonight a young sci
der died in this house His body hat
no heart in it, but there is near
beating in that box!"
|
game are you simpletors trying t,
play? Who ever heard of the like
My dear landlord, you and your friend
have been imbibing stupidity at you
own bar. You have now carried III
messengers instructions. Good night
They turned angrily from him anC
walked to the front door, the old mai
following with the taper and chuck
ling unnaturally in ridicule. Curiou
TO learn if the Sydney Greviston the.
knew or the one they had seen in tn
chair returned to the room they has
ened around the window and locke
in. 1t was the latter. a bent, withercd
fearful old man--that come from th
hallway and walked shrinkingly 10 III
table. He put down the swaying can
die and fell to his knees near the boH
Sinking further back he bowed for
ward until he was almost prone, hi
white cue trailing upon the dusty hool
Fascinated by his wretchedness an
expected each moment to see him af
fected as they had been, they stoo
by the window and watched. He fin
ally pulled himself TO his feet by III
aid Of the table. He placed one qulv
ering hand upon the package an
stood as IL waiting for expected hell
At that moment a tall clock in tn
further corner OF the room began I
strike.
/, Midnight" whispered the LANDLORD
Yes" said Stiles. 1.-The young so
dier died shortly after midnight"
The last stroke died away and tn
, old man took up the package in on
/, hand and the taper IN the other an
staggered into the hall. Thew note
' by the movement of the bannlstc
shadows and the dimming of the ligf
that he was ascending the stairs wit
, great feebleness.
They left the house and descended
the inn. Resuming their places by II
stove, they were about to discuss ii
wisdom of leaving the box with Syt
:, ney, when the door was pushed ope
, and an old man entered. His hlac
satin garments were SO bedraggle
with headlong haste. many mud splo
ches clinging unheeded to his pa
face, and his damp white hair hur
!, to close to his cheeks that they d
not recognize him until he had con
= close to the stove They had bot
sprung to their feet, the landlord eja
. ulating, Francois, the French scho