Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-07-19

It Wa5 q beautiful morning-a almost
- mid as # it had been autumn, rath-
e than a December cay. The sun had
advanced just high enough in the
heavens to pour down his mildest and
warmest beams, and the near village
and the distant hills we're bathed III
the golden light, as, Of old, the fair
Eden spread its beauty forth for
Adams admiring eyes.
1t was a blessed day The most
careless heart could but drink in its
beauty in a thankful mood; the fresh,
sweet air brought color to the most
pallid cheek. 1t was hard to look out
upon the glorious scene and realize
that a world so lovely and so fair
should be the home and haunt OF all
that was contemplate and base-that
the serpent SANDER and the gaunt
nend Care. and the demon OF Murder.
with his red right hand. could fling
shadow over all this beauty and cause
each heart that had loved it once. al
most to curse its memory in after
years.
And yet, even the singing of the
hlithe birds on that lovely winters day
seemed to say that this might be so
seemed TO say that the little children
sporting joyously in the village street
might live TO feel that blighting scorn
which worldly spirits only understand;
that those pleasant rustic homes, scat
tered like visible blessings here and
there. might be the haunts Of fiends in
human form. and the burial place OF
the hearts best affections.
For the singing of the birds. in some
strange way, seemed to speak that
morning Of one sorely tried and tempt
ed IN her earthly pilgrimage. but now
ct rest where no earthly malice could
disturb her-of one whose sweet eyes
would have gaZed in calm contempla-
ton on that lovely scene. had 10 false
words ever kindled the flame of loFe
within her breast. and then left it to
go out in darkness, in bitterness, in
tears and DEATH
Yet. on that lovely day. a deed ap-
parently uusuited 10 the sylvan love
Illness OF the scene. was about 70 be
done. On that day, the record OF the
past was TO be rudely searehed-the
grave made TO give up its secrets and
is dead.
Having undertaken the task NJ
Cowley was determined TO accomplish
it; and yet. he would have given
worlds. as the hour drew nigh. that
he had never meddled with the mat
ter-never come TO Hollow Ash Hall.
His nephew also seemed nervous
and III at ease. As for the ladies.
they scarcely spoke. but sat huddled
together over the drawing-room fire
all except Rose. and she was wander
ing over the house like an uneasy
spirit, till at last they missed her en-
tirely.
The morning was rapidly waning
away. and at last Mr.. Cowley rose
from his easy-chair with the air of a
man who had made up his mind be-
yond the power of change.
Come Charles. let us get It over"
he said. gravely.
They went out into the hall Rose
met them there and by her side stood
q tall and handsome gentleman. with
q foreign air and appearance.
Father" said the girl eagerly, come
back into the library for a moment.
This gentleman knows the secret of
the haunted house, and is about to
tell It TO you"
Mr.. Cowley started. as we'll he might.
"And who may this gentleman be-
he asked. somewhat stifly.
"a friend of the Vernons." was the
quick reply Let him tell you the
story Of the haunted room"
They went back into the library to-
gether. and this was the substance
of the story which he told them of the
dead girl the ruined family, and the
deserted house:
Marion Escourt had been a favored
child from the very hour of her birth
True, her young mother died that she
y.ight i've. but sister of that mother
fcoA and pure as she. took the infant
N Der heart, and cherished It for The
sS.s> af TIE dead. Marion's aunt Wa.
one 81 earth's saints. and under her