Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-02-10
AN UNCANNY SECRET.
GRIM MYSTERY THAT LURKs IN
AN OLD ENGLISH CASTLE.
THREE MEN ONLY KNOW THE TRUTH

Near the border of two Scottish coun
ties, set in the middle of broad anG
fertile strath and protected from the
northern blasts by a range of lofty
mountains, there stands and has stood
for generations an ancient feudal cas-
tie.
Although the Oldest wing dates from
the thirteenth century, the greater part
of 1t was built in Jacobean days and
with its numerous turrets, battlements,
corbels and pinnacles recalls the glo
ries of Chantilly and other French
chateaux of the same period. 1t be.
longs. together with the surrounding
estate, to wealthy peer, whose grand
father married north of England
helress with a dowry of over 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 lie full of life and
gayety. for its kindly lord and lady
who have many children and grand
children and host of friends, keep
open house then in their old Scottish
home, and its halls and corridors, mar
row passages and winding staircases
echo with the sound of merry voices
and the tread of youthful feet from
morning till night.
Cheerful. however, as the invited
guest finds the old castle and warm as
is the welcome extended to him within
its walls, he must be possessed Of little
curiosity and less Imagination il he
does not feel his pulse somewhat quick
ened and his sleep somewhat broken
there. for he has probably heard al
ready something of the weird associa-
tons 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 affect the whole lives of those who
learn it and make them different from
other men,
No clew to the mystery has ever been
given by any one of the three deposita
ries of it, but popular belief has long
connected it with a secret chamber in
the castle which rumor assigns as the
bnl 20 Of stro hol hun
creature of terrifying aspect and fabu-
lous age, the incarnate embodiment Of
the curse which rests upon the house.
In the gayest moments enjoyed by
those who during the bright days of
early autumn throng the guest cham
bers of the castle there is always an
indefinable feeling of some weird pres
ence within its walls.
MY dear young lady" were the
words of the host to one who was pay
ing him her first visit as he bade 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 aud lock the
door" Once on wet summers after
noon some young people were enjoying
noisy game of billiard fives in the
hall. While the merry din was at its
height the tell bowed figure of the
host was suddenly observed to be
standing in the midst of the party. u
want to ask you all he said in his
quiet, courteous tones, ITO go up to
your rooms at once and to remain in
them until a bell rings, when you will
be quite at liberty to come down
again" Instantly, like the Arabs of
the poem, the players silently stole
away" to their respective chambers.
After lapse of some twenty minutes
bell did ring. Down they all came
and resumed their game where it had
been broken off. No allusion was made
by any one to the mysterious behest
they had received.
In quiet corner of the old castle
there Is a quaint little chapel, dating
from the restoration, decorated by a
Dutch artist of the time and fitted up
In recent days with rich altar and
other accessories by the present owner,
who spends much time there engaged
in solitary devotions. A year or two
ago young officer, whose visit had
been shortened by a sudden summons
to rejoin his regiment, had arranged
to leave the castle at an early hour
in the morning Quitting his chamber
about dawn, he took Il wrong turning
in the uncertain light and, pushing
open swing door, found himself in
the chapel, which he had not before
entered. At the far end he observed,
with great surprise. II motionless fig
ure kneeling near the altar and moved
noiselessly up to see who it was. He
recognized his host, still in evening
dress, as he had parted from him some
seven hours previously.
A young medical man was not long
ago staying at the castle by invitation
of its owner who had made his ac-
quaintance abroad. and, being some