Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-09-20
The Black
House
A Mystery Solved
BY ALICE GRAY

at the Ramercliff- IIalsey wedding re.
ceptions. where thousands of dollars
worth OF beautiful gifts were display.
ed in the library and adjoining study.
and my duties had confined mo TO these
rooms. where a pageant OF brilliantly
gowned women and somber clad men
passed In and out.
Ii was marriage OF youth. beauty
and great wealth with talent and more
wealth. for DR.. Ramcrciff had n ma.
tional reputation as n specialist In dis
eases OF the brain. and 1t had been II
matter for universal surprise when the
grave and studlous physician had step
ped from the seclusion of professional
life TO court the brilliant young debu.
tante and win her.
Now the bride had retired to don her
travelling gown. They were to leave
OH the western express. and their des.
tination was a secret
Presently they came. and shall new
er forget DR. Ramcrcliff's look as he
passed out OF the door with his beau.
tiful bride. His handsome face ex.
pressed maniacal triumph
A feeling of uneasincss possessed
me for days aficrward. and was not
surprised when Benjamin HaIsey. the
father OF the bride paid me Il visit In
my private office.
He was looking haggard and wor-
ried. quite unlike the happy. genial
gentleman who had presided at the
wedding of his mothcrless daughter.
blair. | need your help" he said
when we were alone.
what is II. sir?" | inquired.
You We're at my daughters wed.
ding reception three weeks ago You
saw my daughter leave the house with
her husband:"
Yes"
"rhcy have disappearcd-co completely
disappeared
Weir WAS sull wondering at
hs anxiety
"N@d Nat." DC sail thrHsjng a tat.
tered bit ~ paper iato uy hands
II was F.eee ii brown wrapping
pap ta4 VI 4 vcre few enwled
words ta iher COME Ths terri
hie Haet noH am ,na mad tie
Is cuaits naH aust hide this
Be
1m Hse H your daasher
wrote tuat
20 10 Il Der handwriting lt
ws seeol In ms mal ti nornln
the euf ne | blurred post
lu na addition g. my uame aut
address We te pneiel words
Ahooyer fluids tha llease nai at
oaee
ms produced he envelope aud d
studded tle posla16 tlruuah ny
strongest aasse-
"iaa'is se Woodruff That's 90
tle Village G8Nu Go si.ong Island" NJ
said haalg "i'i 80 down there All
once You believe that both 81 them
have met Wita foul playf"
lie sbook ATS head doab;fi'
"lieal tht note oyer again Blair
Its some of 8amerell1s work. / feat
] should never have allowed Bess &C.
marry him He is almost mad himself
over his profession. but he fascinated
her Yon viii goat once. BNir:"
within the hour decided. replac.
Ing the time table IN my pocket
II was I o'clock when reached
Woodruff little north shore village.
surrounded on three sides by oak for.
ests and on the fourth by shallow
harbor
made casual inquiry among the
loungers about the postofiicc and hotel
\ ne htat % had
seen any strangers Whereabouts. The
postmaster did give me clew.
THE old Vale place was taken by
strangers several months ago. but Il
don't believe any one Is there yet"
"Who Is the caretaker:"
Search me" said the postmaster
returning TO his neglected duties
"Some queer foreigner who lives IL
the barn and buys his supplies over &c
Oakyille"
chose to take my first view OF tho
Vale place by moonlight. had trav
ersed perhaps half mile along the
gloomy wood road. where moonlight
fell in silver patches on the carpet OF
thick leaves. when n man passed me
going swiftly toward the village.
He paused and pecred at me for m
Instant.
where you goy' he asked thickly
and smelt whisky ON his breath
"oakvlllc." said sharply
"Oh." he said. with his foreign nc
cent. You on wrong road. Go bach
quarter mile. turn TO left"
Thanks" murmurcd ironically
for ! recognized the caretaker of the
Vale place and his evident desire 10
lure me away from the house. which
he was leaving unguarded.
To allay his suspicious walked
back with him and allowed him Il
place me on the right path. When h,
was out Of sight | retraced my steps
and. after walking for perhaps a mile
slways following the more untraveled
road. ! finally came upon n high brick
uaff that wuunl oroffnI Among the |