Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-08-14

the house with smoke il he should ma
terialize."
Wells soon after retired to his room
Oh the first floor. Sleep did not visit
him at once, and he lay tossing rest
lessly, thinking Of the strange fate that
had made him an outcast and caused
him to fall hopelessly in love with the
daughter of his fathers successor.
The weary eyelids closed at last. The
next thing Wells realized was queer,
choking sensation. Smoke enyelOped
him and he found himself mechan-
ically cropping his way along the hall
to the door which led into the cellar.
A rush of condensed smoke greeted
him, but he kept on. When half way
down the stairs an uncanny, creepy
sensation came over him, as Of some
unseen presence. He paused; chill
crept down his spinal column; then in
the pitchy darkness the fitting figure
of an aged man was plainly discern
ible. Wells stood spellbound, but the
phantom drew nearer.
The supernaturally bright eyes peer
ed into his and an icy hand touched
him, while the other beckoned him
forward.
With cold drops oozing from his
forehead and his blood congealing in
his veins, Wells was drawn to re-
mote part of the stone wall. The
spectre stopped, and gesticulating
wildly, pointed to a rock of peculiar
shape Wells bent to obey the spirit $
unspoken command, and the phantom
with weird laugh, vanished, and
Weus-awoke to find it all a dream.
But strange sound he certainly did
hear and smoke surrounded him. He
Ieaped from the bed as a portion OF
the wall beside him gave way, and
the cracking flames burst through.
At the same moment the cry OF fire
rang through the house. The terror
stricken inmates had barely time to
gather a few valuables and effect their
escape when the seething timbers Tell
with a sickening crash, and once more
Netherby Terrace lay in ruins. Next
day Mr.. Maynard and Wells stood In
specting the blackened debris. Wells
looked moody and wretched, for his
train was due in 80 minutes, and he
felt that he could not endure the part
ing with Norma.
II tell you, Netherby," declared Mr..
MAYNARD, "Iu never rebuild on this
spot. | believe there is a curse on the
I, g col, NpiiC hJrv
your abominable pride, ask Norma to
marry you, and I'll settle this estate
on her at once, thus, your own will
be restored to you and Netherby's spir
it rest in peace.
Wells fine face flushed painfully.
but he answered firmly: You mean
we'll, sir. ana love your daughter bet
ter than life, but. / repeat, [ cannot
become fortune hunter.
Suddenly Wells, who had been gaz-
ing miserably at the dingy foundation
stones, gave start, and leaned eager
" forward, his gaze directed at a
singuarly shaped stone which seemed
strangely familiar. Impelled by some
uncomfortable impulse he started FOR
ward: his dream of the previous night
flashed upon him, and STOPPING he
pressed upon the triangle of rock 10
his utter amazement it slid Inward, eX-
posing tiny aperture, within which
Wells beheld a small, furnished box.
by the powers. Ne;herby, what have
you discovered?'' and Mr.. Maynard
stood hes de him. Wells piclSed-up the
box as though it were something sa-
cred, and, trembling with excitement,
cautiously raised the lid. A legal look
ing document, yellow with age, came
to view. The next instant Wells hand
was grasped enthusiastically as Mr..
Maynard read, Last will and tesla
ment OF Noel Netherby." Then To
my beloved son, by adoption, William
Netherby, I will and beQueath, etc. :
Heaven be praised, Wells! Sure as
fate, Netherby's spirit burned the
house, and you have found the miss
ing will"-Indianapolis Sun