Evening journal., 1905-06-19
AN UNCANNY SECRET.
6RlM MYSTERY THAT LURKs WITHIN
AN OLD ENGLISH CASTLE.


Near the border Of two Scottish coun-
ties, set In the middle of broad and |
fertile ststh and protected from the
northern ybaasts by a range Of lofty
mounhins. 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 It was built in Jacobean days and
with its numerous turrets, battlements,
eorbels and pinnacles recalls the glo-
fies Of Chantilly and other French
chateaux Of the same period. 1t be-
Longs, together with the surrounding
estate, to a wealthy peer, whose grand
father married north of England
heiress with a dowry of over a million
sterling. During the greater part OF
ehe 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 mar
row passages aud 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 10 him within
its walls, he must be possessed Of little
curiosity and less imagination If he
does not feel bis pulse somewhat quick
ened and his sleep somewhat broken
during the period OF his residence
there. for he has probably heard pl-
ready something of the weird associa-
tions which cling 10 the house and its
owners ana Of the mysterious secret
said 10 be known only TO the head Of
the family. 70 his heir and TO one other
person. a secret so grim and terrible as
to affect the whole lives Of those who
learn IL and make them different from
other men.
No clew 10 the mystery has ever been
given by any one Of the three deposita-
rics Of II. but popular belief has long
connected Il with secret chamber in
the castle which rumor assigns as the
habitaton of strange half human
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
indennable feeling of some weird pres
encc within its walls.
MY dear young lady" were The
words OF the host to one wh was pay
ing him her FIRST visit as he bade hel
good night. "it is. | know the custom
| Of ladies 20 sit mp late In one another''
( rooms chatting and so ON. Now, that il
not allowed here. When you go TO YOU
room tonight remain In il and lock the
door" once on wet summers after
noon some young people were enjoying
noisy game OF billiard iives In thl
hall. While the merry din was at IL
height the tall. bowed figure of the
host was suddenly observed TO bl
standing in the midst of the party. 81
want TO ask you ALL" he said in hi
quiet. courteous tones. ito go up e
your rooms at once and 20 remain il
them until bell rings. when you viii
be quite at liberty 10 come dow
again" Instantly. like the Arabs o
the poem. the players silently stol
away TO their respective chambers
After n lapse OF some twenty minute
a bell did ring, Down they all cam
and resumed their game where it ha'
been broken or No allusion was mad
by any one 10 the mysterious behes
they had received
IN a quiet corner Of the old castl
there is a quaint little chapel. datin
from the restoration, decorated by
Dutch artist Of the time and fitted u
in recent days with rich altar an
other accessories by the present owne
who spends much time there engage
in solitary devotions. A year or tw
ago a young officer whose visit Ia
been shortened by a sudden summon
10 rejoin his regiment, had arrange
TO leave the castle at an early hor
in the morning. Quitting his chamb,
about dawn. he took a wrong turnin
in the uncertain light and, pushiu
open swing door, found himself
the chapel, which he had not befol
entered AT the far end he observe
with great surprise, a motionless Fl
.ure kneeling near the altar and move
noiselessly up TO see who it was. L
recognized his host. still IN evenil
dress, as he had parted from him son
seven hours previously
a young medical man was not loI
ago staying at the castle BY invitati,
of its owner. who had made his q
Quaintance abroad and. being SON
thing OF an invalid. had asked him
come and take few weeks holidi
in Scotland and az the same time
give hin. the benefit of his profession
aEill. a room was assigned TO him
one Of the towers. and lie was in 1
full enjoyment OF his visit when
was suddenly brought 10 an end
strange fashion.
Coming home unexpectedly eal
one afternoon from shooting. leavi
most OF his fellow guests stu IN I
stubbles. and mounting 10 his turl
chamber, he noticed a singular cIrcu