Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-01-15
CHAPTER v.
A HOUSE OF MYSTERY.

Reginald Mason could not repress
an exclamation when he recognized his
brothers ring on the farmers hand.
He came a step nearer. still with his
eyes steadily fixed on the Jewel. until
at last he touched 1t with his trembling
finger. The farmer. who had watched
him in some surprise. frowned and
drew back as the other advanced.
II beg your pardon" said Mason
quickly. "but-the ring on your finger
-I-I-have only seen one like it be-
fore" AS he spoke he came a step
nearer still and seized the farmers
hand. His own agitation increased as
he examined the ring more closely and
assured himself beyond doubt that Il
was indeed his brothers. I'll VIII
you tell me how you got it? You must
forgive the question. You will for
give It when l tell you that when I
last saw the ring 1t was upon the hand
Of my own brother"
His feelings had by this time pos
sessed him so strongly that he dropped
the hand of the farmer, which had
remained passive and cold in his. and
supported himself for few moments
against the wall by the fireplace. The
awful fears as to his brothers fate
which had filed his heart for so long
had, upon this strange discovery,
reached the point Of acute agony. AL
though he felt, he knew, that he had
need Of all his GOODNESS, Of all his self
possession, to get at the heart Of the
mystery upon the borders Of which he
found himself. neither feeling nor
knowledge helped him In that first aw-
full moment.
my brother! My poor brother!"
His lips formed the words, but did
not utter them. He was unable to see
or to think. The pitiful consciousness
that the ring was now nothing but q
relic of the dead unneryed, overwhelm-
ed him.
The farmers husky voice reused
him after the lapse of few seconds.
Its very strange. sir; very strange.
II what you say should turn out to be
true" said he, less brusquely than be-
fore. But. for sure, it's a most un-
common ring. and it's true haven't
had it long, nor l can't tell who had 1t
before me-"
Mason had reused himself already
from the dependency and despair into
which the first sight Of the ring had
thrown him. AS he turned toward the
farmer the latter took the ring from
his finger and put it into the trembling
hand of his guest.
Maybe" went on the farmer, you'll
see some marks. If you look at 1t close.
by which you may tell for certain one
way or the other"
Reginald nodded.
81 can identify it beyond all shadow
Of a doubt" said he In broken voice.
at was left to my brother by my
mothers father How did 1t come
into your possession"
"Tn tell you all about 1t. sir, present
ly. when you have seen my daughter.
said he. But meantime you're wei
come to keep it, sir. till you've heard
all there is to tell about it. When you
have heard that. you'll be able to say
for certain. expect. whether the ring
was your brothers. This way. sir.
please"
The matter Of the ring. singular as 1t
was. seemed to have but little interest
for him. so deeply absorbed was he In
anxiety for his daughter But 1t was
not unnatural that he should appear
to look with something like suspicion
at a guest who had made so strange
claim. As Mason advanced, there
fore. toward the inner door. which was
held open for him to pass through, the
farmer watched him narrowly with his
keen black eyes.
And Mason. returning his gaze. was
more impressed than before by coun.
tenance which changed 80 rapidly In
it's expression from despair to curiosity
and back again to despair.
They passed into the back room.
formed by the remaining portion OF
the refectory. 1t was evidently used
as q washhouse, bakehouse and as q
place Of storage. not as living room.
The walls were characterized by the
same free use Of whitewash as In the
big kitchen. a beautiful arcade with
clusters of slender pillars on the left
hand side, which time had defaced
but little, having been included In this
modern "restOratiOn."
In one corner was rough wooden
staircase, with small landing at the
top. On each side Of this was q door.
and. having ascended the stairs with
the farmer, Mason followed him into
large room at the back, where there
were two small beds and few pieces
of substantial old fashioned furniture.
There were some strips Of drugget on
the clean floor. There were curtains
of bright turkey red over the win
dows, of which there were two. look
ing west. A fire was burning In a
small CRATE on the right, and the whole
loom showed the cleanliness and care
which had been noticeable in the kitch.
en-. On the top Of chest Of drawers
the farmer pointed out little medl-
cine chest.
Only one Of the beds was occupied,
and as the farmer led the way toward
II the girl lying in 1t turned her head
quickly and fixed upon the stranger a
pair Of large, glittering eyes.
Mason took the chair beside the
bed which the farmer placed for him
and looked at her by the light Of
candle which her father brought across
the room from the mantelpiece.
While he made his examination the
girl continued to stare at him fxedly,
and as she did 90 her brows gradual
ly contracted with slight frown. Not
word had been uttered by any one Of
the three.
At last the farmer spoke.
"Well. sirT' said he In q tremulous
voice.
Mason looked up quickly and was
touched to the heart Down the farm.
er's thin. swarthy face the tears were
streaming like rain.
"She's very Ill amt she sirf My
poor Gwyn."
"She's Ill certainly, but you mustn't
give way like that" said Mason.
He had taken the girls hand and
was feeling her pulse. The moment
he spoke he felt strong tremor run
through her. and, glancing at her