The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-11-01
Lady Annals Warning J
BY Magdalen Rock.
hNIO, NO. Ellis" Guy Durant said,

me see, the speaker consulted a
schedule for a moment Yes, there's
train to Helmssord at $3.50. If you
are not otherwise engaged. we can
Journey by it to Durant Hall. You
can view the park and the few acres
surrounding il, examine the house,
dine ard sleep there. Then, if your
are foolish enough, tempt me with
you" offer
Nonsense, Durant. | am perfectly
satisfied TO give you the money | say
for your property" Kirby Ellis an
swered. He was short. stoutly-built
man. with keen black eyes and
square, determined jaw. Possibly
there was Hebrew blood in his veins.
At any rate. few men on the stock eN-
change were holder in their specula-
lions, and fewer still were as success
full.
But l am not satisfied to take it."
his comparison remarked. quietly. TO
tell you the truth. you offer too much.
Durant Hall is a dilapidated old struc
ture. and | won't sell it to you except
you see it."
The SPEAKER leaned back in his
chair as he spoke. For two or three
generations the Durants had been 60
ing steadily to the bad. and Guy
Durant had been but little wiser than
his immediate predecessors. Not that
hs was either a gambler or spend
thrift, but he possessed an easy-going,
generous disposition, some artistic
and expensive tastes, and no business
instincts. He had married pretty
young English girl who had died,
leaving him with a baby two months
old. The child he had placed under
the care of her maternal aunt and for
many years he had led an aimlesS,
pieasurable existence, in continental
cities chiefly.
A few months previously he had
taken up his residence in London, for
the purpose of being near physi-
clan in whom he had much depend
ence. He had been aware for some
time that his heart was affected. and
DR. Chalmers had told him that his
length of days could not be long. and
FOR the first time he had begun to
consider his child. No provision had
been made for her. and Durant hall
and its few hundred acres were heav-
siy mortgaged. He had been not lit
tle surprised when Kirby Ellis had Of
fered him a fancy price for the rem
nant of his property. He had met
that gentleman once or twice abroad,
and had wondered why ne was so anX-
ious to cultivate him, once he settled
in London.
We'll, what do You say?" Durant
demanded. after short silence.
''Isuppose you must have your way"
Ellis replied, rather shortly.
"An right then. I'll wire to the old
houselleeper to expect us, and meet
Won at Paddington in half an hour"
Durant said, rising.
Ellis nodded and the two men sep
arated. Three hours later they we're at
Durant Hall, and its owner insisted on
It's would-be purchaser seeing the en-
tire property he was so eager to pos
Sess. Evening had closed into night
when at length they sat down to dinner
in the large wainscoted library. 1t was
The most comfortable room in the
portraits of dead and gone Durants
hung upon its dark oallen walls. One
Of these seemed to have a special at
traction for Ellis, and Guy Durant
laughed as he noticed it.
Everyone remarks that portrait"
he said. "Shal, ! tell you Lady Annals
story?"
81 shall be glad to listen" the guest
promised. she is very beautiful" with
another glarce toward the picture.
she was. i, that represents her with
any degree of correctness. 1t was
printed long after Lady Anna had
shared the common fate of humanity
from an old miuia lure of her, Yes. she
was beautiful"
The speaker paused to look at the
Ge'icateIy nodded features. at the STEM
der neck encrcled by the enormous
ruff that was the fashion of the time. at
The fair hair swept high from the levei
brow.
''And the storv?" Ellis said.
'Well, it seems that Lady Anna was
Catholic, though the Durants were
Then, as now. Professionals"
Guy Durant laughed cynically as he
paused for moment.
"They attended to worldly Mates.
s. he story is true. more han o spir-
ima', and accepted llenry's Sin Articles
"a readily a. his sons Thirty-rine. But
Lady Anna was different. Her hus-
blnd. PIE Durant. was one Of Eliza
De III courierS. but this fact did not
save his wife from beirg denounced as
Catholic nor did his entreates save
her life when she was convicted of as
s.-ting a priest to escape. She was ex-
ecuted in the courtyard of the hall. and
died rs bravery as her corelgionists
usually did"
lis that ALE" Ellis asked. The story
had little interest for him.
AL, except the legend. II is said
that her spirit is often seen"
oh" Ellis laughed. mockingly.
"You don't believe that?''
II really don't krow. have never
seen her ladyship myself, but it is an
r,,ce Of Durant faith that She often