The St. Johns herald., 1901-01-12


 Ellis questioned by and by.
 "l know no more than you," Durant
 replied. soiemniy. and there was indeed
 no doubting his words.
 Ut must have been some one belong ing to the house." Ellis reasoned.
 Durant shook his head.
 There is no one in the house, so fal as l know. but old Johnson and his wifs. and besides she-it disappeared
 "It is very strange"
 So strange that our bargain is off l will not sell the hall," Durant said, and Ellis looked his amazement.
 Not sell the halll" he echoed, an grily.
 "No."
 But you cannot believe that"
 No matter, will not sell." Durant interruDted.
 Don't be superstitious, Durant. You cannot be in earnest. I have taken a fancy to the place."
 "l am sorry. but will not sell"
 Look here, man. Will another five thousand not tempt you?"
 NO. Ellis, am not to be tempted. Please say no more"
 But you cannot attach any impor- tance to the-the"-EIlis hesitated- ito what we fancied we saw?"
 "1 don't know" Durant answered, truthfully enough. Perhaps we saw nothing. It may have been fancy in my case"
 There was an uncomfortabl pause.
 twill you take a hand at cards. Ellis, or go to bed ?" the host asked at length.
 Ellis yawned ostensibly.
 ITO bed, if you don't mind; and I trust none of your ancestors or ances- tresses will pay me visit"
 "There is little danger of that" Du- rant laughed, "but you will find few modern comforts in your bedroom. hope. however, Mrs. Johnson has seen to the airing of the sheets. Shall show you the way?"
 Durant led his guest to the room as- signed to him. and early next morn ing both returned 10 London.
 On the day following Guy Durant re- ceived two letters. One bore the post mark of the post town nearest Durant Hall. and the address was in his daugh- ter's handwriting.
 Dear father" it ran, "I hope I did not start;e you very much last night. One of Aunt Alice's servants has scarlet fever in rather bad form. and she took advantage of a long standing in- vitation of Mrs Kingsley's-I was at school with Pauline Kingsley, you send me 10 Kingsley Court. There is short cut from it, as per haps you know, to the hall. Pauline Kingsley is getting up some private theatricals, and she and l ran over to the hall last nightin order to rummage through some old silks and things in mammals room. You won't mind. 1 hope. We passed through the house without seeing anyone, and Pauline in- sisted on dressing me up as court Lady of ancient days. and then she dis covered wonderful resemb. ance in me to Lady Anna's portrait. We ran down one of those old little staircases that the house is so full of and entered the library by disused door that l found out when Aunt Alice and once stayed at the hall Guess my astonishment to find you and another gentleman at dinner After pause I hastened back by the way came Pauline never got in at all We felt like a pair of very badly behaved children as we ran back to Kingsley Court. Poor Mrs. Johnson must have been very busy in the kitchen. for we never once saw her nor Ter husband"
 Guy Durant laid down the letter when he had read so far and gave a :hlaract eristic laugh.
 The explanation, however, was not pleasant reading.
 "So Meg was the ghost that led me O refuse very advantageous offer! Her masquerading has resulted in some mischief" he said, and finished read ng the epistle.
 In a few minutes he turned his at- entiOn to the second letter It was rom the Durant lawyers, and warned Jim against making a sudden disposal If his property.
 "We have learned" Boscroft & Man. lers wrote that a large and rich vein f copper ore runs through your prop rty Our knowledge came 10 us by ac- ident. as also the fact that MT. Kirby Illis is aware of the existence of the opper ore in your property We trust ou have not sold Durant Hall for any um. however large seemingly" Guy Durant did not laugh over the ast letter. and 1t was some consider ble time before he said: ''So there is something. after all is ( aid and done, in Lady Anna's warn : Dg. "-Cathoiic Preside.