The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-05-02
CHAPTER 1.

wall of the uncouth, struggling building
rose upon the summit of steep and
thickly wooded hill, around the base OF
winch slumbered q pleasant valley, en-
circled by mountainous heights Of undu-
Iating moorland, gilded with masses OF
yellow gorse, and purpled with heather
bloom.
Nature, in her widest beauty, reigned
supreme over the scene. Man and his
works. save in the walls of the old castle,
which, from a distance, appeared rather
the rocky summit of the hill, than stones
fashioned by human hands, were not
there-might have had no place in the
world.
In small chamber, situated at the
top of the tower, which fanked the build
Ing upon the west, sat falr-haired,
thoughtful looking boy, with dark violet
colored eyes, in whose dreamy depths
there lurked a world of passion. He
might have been eleven years OF age, GER
tainly not more
This boy was Arthur Penrhyddyn, the
only child of Sir Launce Penrhyddyn,
the owner of the castle. The room in,
which he sat was a disused one. Two
old worm-eaten chairs, of antique form,
faded with the dust and cobwebs that
yelled the whole place, and one thing
else, was now the only furniture.
That other thing was the full-length
portrait of a woman. Dust and damp
had played sad havoc with what had
once been fine work of art; the colors
of the dress could scarcely be distin-
guished beneath the mildew and dirt that
encrusted them.
AS it stood upon the floor leaning
against the WALL the sunlight blazed full
upon it, strangely illumining the face,
which, unlike the rest of the picture, was
as vivid as though it had been painted
but few years, instead of nearly two
centuries back.
Strangely it seemed to have fascinated
the violet eyes of that fair-haired boy as
he sat there contemplating it with rapt
look of awed wonderment. This contem-
plative reverie was broken in upon by
the opening of the room door and the
appearance of a second person.
"Why, Master Arthur, I've been look
Ing everywhere for your
The speaker Yves an elderly man, evil
IDENTIFY a superior servant. The boy, not
moving his position, beckoned him to come
close Whose picture is that, DanielT
he asked.
mercy on us, where have you ferreted
aIt that ill-omened picture" cried the old
man, look of almost CONSERVATION dis
turbing his iron face.
II found it in that closet" answered
the boy, pointing to half-opened door.
az want to know whose it is; and why
z do Won call If ill-omenedY
az never did know such a boy for
ferreting about" answered Daniel, half
angrily. why, I've never seen that
pictur' since 1 was a boy l thought it
had been done away with long ago."
1T is the first time have ever been
In this ROOM" replied the boy. II never
could turn the key before, nor persuade
any one to do it for me-"
There's a wicked pixie lives up here,
who eats up curious people," said the old
man, gravely.
"Oh, l don't believe in fairiesi" an
swered Arthur, quietly. II know all
that sort of thing is not true. Never
mind the fairies; l want to know who
that beautiful lady was, and l am deter
mined to know"
r@Daniel looked perplexed. AS far as his
own feelings were concerned, he had not
the slightest objection to tell what he
knew But Daniel had the fear of his
master before his eyes.
A strange man was Sir Launce Penr-
hyddyn-a studious, stoical, severe man;
but just, and even generous, when duty
dictated.
A good master, good landlord. and a
humane man. The tidings of vessel in
distress, of shipwrecked crew-and such
incidents were of continual recurrence
upon that dangerous coast-would sum-
mon him from his bed even upon the
stormiest winters night. He had had a
lifeboat built, and many scores of lives
had he saved from the hungry sea.
His great desire was to inoculate young
Arthur with all his own ideas and pre-
JUDGES. The boy had been left mother
less in his second year; but, although
thus brought more entirely under pa
ternal control, education could not de-
stroy a naturally poetic temperament.
Ard to listen to the wild stories of fairies
and wizards, that abounded among the
fishermen, was his especial delight.
Daniel knew very well that the legend
of the picture was well known to several
besides himself, who would willingly tell
1t, and thus deprive him of the pleasure.
"a fine row you'll get me into if it's
known as I've told you what your father
would call foolish story" he grumbled.
Daniel" said the boy, earnestly, II
give you my word of honor that / will
never breathe word of what you tell me
to, any one, without your permission"
Instead OF repeating the proli1 nara
tive of the old servant we shall place the
story before the reader in a more terse
and simple form.
Among the gentlemen who, after the
battle Of Worcester, followed the fortunes
of Charles Stuart to France, was Sir Ar
thur Penrhyddyn, whose estates had just
before been seized upon by the common
wealth. He was a perfect type Of the
Cavalier.
Soon after his arrival In Paris he be-
came deeply enamored of the beautiful
Mademoiselle de scissors, one of the la |
dies in waiting ait court OF noble but |
impoverished family, this post had been
bestowed upon her at the death OF her
father.
Hurried out Of all prudence by the |
violence of his love, he proposed private
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