Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1904-01-08
CASTLE. wins SECRET

Near the Doroor OF tNo cSOee0A
counties. set in the middle Of bread
and fertile strath, and protected from
the northern blasts by q range or
lofty mountains. there stands, and
has stood for generations. an ancient
feudal castle.
Although the eldest wing dates
from the thirteenth century, the
greater part OF it was built in Jacob
can days, and with its numerous tur-
rets, battlements, corbels. and pima
cles recalls the glories Of Chantilly
and other great French chateaux OF
l the same period. II belongs, together
with the surrounding estate, to
wealthy peer. whose grandfather mar
ried a north of England heiress with
a dowry of over a million sterling.
During the greater part of the year
the castle is untenanted save by
few servants and caretakers; for the
owner spends his winters abroad and
his summers in the English seat
brought into the family by the above
mentioned heiress. But during the
autumn months it is full of life and
gayety; for its kindly lord and lady
who have many children and grand
children. and a host of friends, keep
open house then in their old Scottish
home. and its halls and corridors,
narrow passages, and winding stair
cases echo with the sound of merry
voices and the tread of youthful feet
frov, rnOrniug Fiji NIGHT
Cheerful, however, as the invited
guest finds the old castle. and warm
as is the welcome extended to him
within its walks, he must be posses
ed of a little curiosity and less mag
nation If he does not feel his pulse
somewhat quickened and his sleep
somewhat broken during the period
OF his residence there. For he has
probably heard already something OF
the weird associations which cling to
the house and its owners, and of the
mysterious secret said to be known
only to the head of the family, TO his
heir, and to one other person.
secret SO grim and terrible as TO at
feet the whole lives of those who
learn it, and make them different
from other men.
No clue to the mystery has ever
been given by any one of the three
depositaries of it; but popular belief
has long connected it with a secret
chamber in the castle, which rumor
assigns as the habitation of a strange
half-human creature OF terrifying
aspect and fabulous age, the incarnate
embodiment of the curse which rests
upon the house. In the gayest mo-
ments enjoyed by those who during
the bright days of early autumn
throng the guest chambers of the cas-
tie, there is always an indefnable
feeling of some weird presence with
in its walls.
my dear young lady" were the
words of the host to one who was
paying him her first visit, as he babe
her good night, lit is, know, the
custom Of ladies' to sit up late in one
another's rooms, chatting and so on.
Now, that is not allowed here. When
you go to your room tonight, remain
in it, and lock the door,"
A young medical man was not long
ago staying at the castle, by invita-
ton of its owner, who had made his
acquaintance abroad, and, being some
thing of an invalid, had asked him to
come and take q few weeks holiday
in Scotland. and at the same time to
give him the benefit OF his profess
81 ~ A ON f
to him in one Of the towers, and he
was in the full enjoyment of his
visit, when it was suddenly brought
to an end in strange fashion.
Coming home Unexpectedly early
one afternoon from shooting Qeaving
most of his fellow guests still in the
stubbles), and mounting to his turret
chamber, he noticed q singular cir
cumstance. A stain which he had
often observed in the carpet under
the window was now visible exactly
at the opposite corner OF the room,
showing that during his few hours
absence the whole of the furniture
must have been moved out of the
apartment and the carpet taken up.
The impulse came upon him to re-
peat the process. Out into the pas
sage, accordingly, went bed. chairs,
tables, wardrobe, and everything else;
up came the carpet, and there, in the
centre of the floor, was the inevitable
trap door, Lifting it, he deserted q
steep fight Of steps. which he descend
ed, lighted c4ndle in hand, and found
at the bottom a narrow winding pas
sage, along which he cautiously made
his way. Suddenly he was brought up
short by q dead white plastered wall,
barring his further advance; and put
ting out his hand to touch it, his I'm
ger went half an inch into the plas-
ter, which was soft, wet, and evident
ly quite newly laid on. Smoothing it
over as best he could mot an easy
task without q proper implement), he
quietly retraced his steps to his room,
rearranged carpet and furniture ex-
actly as he had found them, and went
down to tea, keeping his own counsel,
and saying nothing to any one Of his
adventure.
Next morning, while he was still In
bed, a note was brought him from his
hosts lawyer. who was staying in the
castle. 1t inclosed check, and brief
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