Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-06-07


Ing the bag up in the air and catching
it, whirling it round his head by the
string, and knocking it against the trunks
of the trees. When about half way up
the path that led to the Castle, spying
a bird upon one of the lower branches
of tree, he gathered up the unfortunate
bag into a ball, and hurled it at the bird.
The bag lodged upon branch just above
his reach, and obliged him to climb the
tree to recover it, which he only achieved
by much stretching and pulling After
this, he performed the rest of his walk
somewhat more sedately.
Mr.. Wylie had been a witness Of all
this. As he reached the top of the path
he caught sight of something white upon
the pathway. 1t was a letter. He, pick
ed 1t up and read the address: "Sir
Launce Penrhyddyn, Penrhyddyn Castle,
near Bodmin, Cornwall"
THAT was dropped out of the bag"
he muttered, turning 1t over. ~ wonder
who 1t Is from? What is this "A. p in
the corner2 That is Arthur Penrhyddyn; |;
and In the further corner, Immediate
/ wonder, now, what that letter con-
tains?" And Mr.. Wylie scanned it with
his lynx eye. He put the letter In his
pocket, and walked slowly towards the
Castle, in deep thought.
Two hours afterwards, he again issued
from the Castle to take another stroll.
Down among the rocks he came upon a
lonely fsherman's hut. At the door, bask-
ing in the warm sunshine, was an aged
man, over whose withered face was spread
a network of wrinkles. There was wild,
half-insane look in his eyes, as he sat
vacantly staring at the waves, and NUT
tering to himself.
Mr.. Wylie regarded him for moment,
mentally observing to himself, Here is
an old seer, now, who must know plenty
about Penrhyddyn, If he has got the
brains left to tell 1t. Well see."
So, by way of beginning he wished
the old man good-day and found him
quite inclined to talk. By and by hale
looking man, about sixty, and another Of
about forty, who saluted the old man re-
spectfully as father and grandfather,
came up and touched their sou-westers to
the gentlemen, and then they fell into
the conversation.
After about an hour and half spent
thus, during which he sucked the three
men dry Of all the information they could
give, Mr.. Wylie put half sovereign into
the grandfather's hand and wished them
all good afternoon.
Rather fortunate / came this way"
he muttered to himsel fas he walked
back. $50, Master Daniel, I've learned
great deal more than / should have
bargained with you for, and for just ten
shillings less than l offered you. A very
strange story that. 1t almost makes one
believe that curses may be realized-at
least, there is every probability that this
one will. Psha absurd A mere coinci.
dence."
Early next morning Mr.. Wylie sent 9
servant to Bodmin for a chaise to convey
him to the station; and when 1t arrived
! took his departure. But before taking his
way to the station he desired the coach
man to drive him over different parts Of
the estate, especially where the mine,
were situated. II will take survey o.
my property that is to be before l leave,
he said to himself.
Stafford remained Sir Launce's guest
Constance's letter he regarded as having
removed those scruples of honor which
had at first determined him to leave the
| Castle; 1t had also removed the necessity
| of his immediate return to town.
He did not give Sir Launce the slight
est intimation of the contents of the let
ter he had received. "Of course Arthur
himself will Immediately acquaint hi:
father with the state Of affairs. Strange
he has not done so before" ne thought.
Sir Launce wondered greatly when an
other day passed away without bringing
letter from his son. He had writer
to him, however, on the previous evening
A reply to that letter must arrive by the
morning mail.
Ito be continued.)