The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-14
SKELETON HOUSE.

Before the revolution there stooda time
worn edifice of Ynoldering brick in the now
magnificent pleasure ground, Central park,
New York. Isolated and bleak, the old
house had been untenanted for years when
Hugh Garrbolt saw fit to make it his hab-
itation.
The last man who had lived there before
Hugh Garrbolt died there alone. Nor was
he known to be dead until wanderer, de-
handing shelter at its iron bound door and
receiving no reply, forced entrance and
beheld a human skeleton seated in an
oaken chair, From the very day that the
had been called the Skeletons house. Hugh
Garrbolt with a sheer that had been
growing his thin, hard face for 60 Years,
went alone to the house of the skeleton:
The burghers waited for two days and
Hugh Garrbolt was a fool. Bue when ne
returned the third day with a bag Of
coin so heavy that he staggered under it
the burghers opened sthelr eyes ana WhiS-
tied that Hugh Garrbolt was q very wise
still the skeleton OF the dead sbllecaneer
held grim and unmOleSted watch over the
i + %Ren y9hung Aloerg anqeineeT pala
worthy widow whose husband had died
when Albert was but ten years old: One
fine day some phlegnatic youth. who en-
wed Albert for his courage, bantered him
to 60 and spend a stormy night in the
Albert consented and chose that very
night. He walked cautiously around the
and cutlass in hand entered At first he
could discern nothing. but when his eyes
became accustomed TO the gloom he saw
the silent and feshlessr sentinel still grin
ming in terrible nOckeTy of mortality over
the worm eaten table.
Looking closely the youth saw that wires
kept its CHASTITY skull erect and as his keen
ewes roVed Sharply around hes noticed a
part Of the earthen floor much more beaten
down than the remainder, and followed
this slight path to a small trapdoor above
To loosen his pistols in his belt and as
/ cends with the cutlass ready for anything
J cd hut he n a
A steady pressure forced up the trap and
a food of hgh4 poured IN upon the small
wide open.
Perceiving a door near, Albert boldly
enee OF q IoVely girs 81 ,, p 9, u I
as he entered Immediately changed to one
All. you have come to take me away
HE? Who?'' said Albert.
THE dwarf. The Red Dwarf The
me to keep me in this horrible place.
bewildered Albert.
| beast, thrilled upon the ear. and as Al
! bert turned the door was dashed open and
/ young girls lips told him that the new
conner was her deadly Jaller-
man, with~a brutal visage, as scarlet as
vermilion; with yellow, shaggy hair, and
arms so long that the huneh-backed mon
ster resembled huge ape more than a
What are you here for? Go away!
she's to be my wife when Hugh comes
1 back Go away"
*Oh, if you go take me with you said
| the girl. MY uncle stole me from my
/ parents in Virginia. He is keeping me to
force my father, the husband Of Garrbolt's
sister. to sign away all his property to
him. Do not leave me-
With a yell the Red Dwarf was at Al
/ berts throat.
The dwarf was giant in strength and
as active as a panther He howled, snap
| ped his teeth and tried to sink them into
/ Albert's throat, who used his strength
alone, d1sda1ning the weapons n MS oelt
/ and having cast aside his cutlass-
For half an hour the contest was doubt
full, but at length Vandemeer, exerting
| all his prowess. hurled his foe headlong
down the trap, just as the head and face