The weekly Caucasian. [volume], February 01, 1873, Image 1

About The weekly Caucasian. [volume] (Lexington, Lafayette County, Mo.) 1866-1875

Image provided by: State Historical Society of Missouri; Columbia, MO

                
r
WEEKLY
Caucasian
ir Ti
THE
Lexington, Lafayette County, Mo., Saturday, Feb. 1, 1873.
No 41 Whole No. 353
Vu
L.
Attorneys at Law
JAMES E. IIOULIS,
J STICK OF THE IKACE. offlr. with A. J.
H A 1. 1., uoruer of Mm and I'm. streets.
J itis-niS
U.AHDJ. UBVIIt. JAMS H. MCHATTOff
Notary Public.
ELKWETT A Melt ATTUN. ATTOKXKYS AT
LAW, I.e. initios. Mo., will stieud prompt
ly W buiwm confided to rhem in !-( !:
uuty. r.pecia.1 auentioa ffivea to collections
U lM ta building of cwviiig's Bank, opposite
urt-bouae. Jutyl.-ly
..ia ialiiii. ichaid rt-u.
WALKER A. FIELD,
VTTORXEYS at Law, Lexington, MiMwnrt.
OIBoa in Kramer's building. iug3-l;f
W. T. S. T. C WOOD,
TTORSKYSAI LAW. If-T. C. Wood No
4'V tary Public. Oittee, one Joor et of Aull
favinir. Hank. d story.
JMK r, ITUXD. JOHTf . aT-ASO.
Ittl-AXD . SOX,
A TTO.NI.TS AND COUSSKXLORS AT
A. LAW, Lexington, Mo. Office, No. ST Main
I., ojer ih .lore of Kneberg A Jennings.
lr actio in mil the cnurta of tbia and adiaccn
ruuntiea, and inlbe Supreme Court of the State,
District Court of the United States. Collec
tions made. iu 3
j J " BLA t K W EEL,
in KNKY AT LAW AXl) NOTARY PlB
aV 1A, Wellington, Miaaouri, will practice
la all the eourUi, and give prompt attention to
collections. '-r
ao. . .Tnaui. vs.
WAT-IBl- X URATE!),
TTORNKYS AT LAW, Lexington. Mo.
Will practice in all the court ol the SiiiUI
Judicial Circuit, Uwtrlct and V. S. Court.
I rompt alieuUon given to collections.
Ainin street, ner ivr.elin's shoe store, dellyl
For the Ladies.
FALL OF IST'i.
HARD TIMES MADE EASY.
MRS. PRICE A. ARNOLD
1 1TOUI.D rmmectfiillT inform the ladle
that their atock of Millinery ia now
fall and complete, and would ank you to
call an examine it.
THE SPECIAL TALL OPENING
or latest atylea of Millinery Uoods will take
place on Tncsday, (X-t. 1, 1S7-. n4ilE!?
DRESSMAKING.
RS. A. C. SHAW. (residing at tne
rump House, Main street.) ia now
U to CUT. FIT and MARK
lKr.s..3 in the latest atylea, and will
guarantee perfect satisfaction in every instance.
Also stamping, braiding and Embroidery done
lo order. aj.rlS m
Large. Local ana General
Circulation, entnuioi icr
all the states and
Territories,
Going to Lnrrrrr Kftmorr or .-mruytoe
Man any wirr
P. DONAV, Editors
A.S.KIEROLP,lkDITOM-
E. Al.I. KM, Business Manager
HAIR WOMB:.
MISS WW DOWDEX,
Is now prepared to manufacture all kinds of
HAIR GOODS.
IT AIR JEWELRY made neatly and promptly
AA U)l-IMP)(.hr.lK-irHCU
l hiirnoiis. Braids and Roll
Will
RICHARD A. COLLLV,
TTORNKY AT LAW, Wnverly, Mo
collections maile
apr.
practice hia profession in all the oourta ol
lite state of Missouri
throughout the Males
TILTOX DAVIS.
TTORNKY AT LAW, Lexington, Mo. E J
pecial attention given to the collection o
cbu investigation and Perfection o Land 1 1
ilia.'and tc Criminal and ateal fcalate Litiga
tion geaerally, in l...ijette and adjmuiug
counties. Ottlce at Saw. r old elan. , cor
aer of Main and Uroadway -tretsJul) llbm
a. r. ALaxAXuaK. cuiuta.
ALEXANDER At. CHILES,
. . .ux:. v-i at i.W. Will uractice in
A the Courts of Lalayette an.l a.ljoining
-V.M .lu attend liroluptly to tile
.olle. tion ol Claims, and to cases arising un
Jer the Bankrupt law. Oillce over the net
Banking Houw ofW m. Mi.rrson A Co.ocyiy
uTc. a.LLACI. Clt. . MITCHBU..
al I AC P. A tafiTCHELL.
ATTOKNfcY-' AND COCNStLLUKs AT
LAW, Lextngton. Mo., will prac tie in
...... rta m l.aiaett county, and in the Court
ol Record In a.lioining counties. nd in the 1J s-
an.l Utn.n.in. t .OUrt of Hie MSIC.
collection and otber business intrusted to their
ZZt. -.S.m.,ilT ateended to. Oillce opposite
Courthouse, over "Lexington Savings liana.
Mala street. J) 1'
rtledical.
t. TBPL, M. D. . M- D
TEMPLE &. BARKER,
..u-r-M.A'Fuir. PHYSICIANS, having
H formed a co-partnership in the Practice ol
r..i,Ti i.t reanectfiillv oiler their protes-
nonal services to the cituens of Leztnton an'
vicinity, special attention given to -BO!"'-
Diseascs. Night anu uay can.
CiLV IS U CI sJ 14 1- la y - .
- hiUm in Ahren's building, corner Market
-.Tr. i, ..-! l...inutn. Mo. ImclU.-ll
MEDICAL XOTICE.
. --. n ..n.a . . r niarlv twentv vesr
A i.H i HIS S has returned lo this city, ami
tenders bis proiesslonat service to the citizens
thereof. Oibce anu resiuence a. -
ttowman', on south street. aprilbtl
Dr. J. W. .tlEMi,
!-s-i
SURGEON DENTIST, ijjrrjTnj
OFFICE, opposite the Courthouse, up stairs
Lexington. Mo. All work done tu a set.
Per-on. knowing themselves indebted tome
will please muke prompt payment.
DEXTIST.
HASSELij, d. d. s.,
Otliee over Limrick's Bank,
LEXINGTON . Mlr'L
i lngn
ill
ons. Hranls and ttolts niaue io oruer.
supply to onter every aescription ot
11 . 1 1& UUU1W.
Call and see her at Mrs. Jennie Martin's,
over Wilion Hutchison'a Dry Goods Store,
Lexington, Mo. . my4yl
TO LADIES ONLY.
I HE GREAT PATENT SKI.r-ADJUSTING
ABDOMINAL CORBET !
'Trills IS the only Corset made
A upon correh piia-ij..o.
ItsupportK and relieves, in
steaii of obstructing amt de
ranging the system. It has the
strongest recommendation and
approval of the Medical r acui
ty. Ladies sutlering in any
manner from derangement ol
th. .vatcm vi 1 linil srreat
relief nd suiiDort from this corset, sad will
never willingly dispense with it. It cost no
more than a good ordinary oorsei. ana win is.i
twice as Ion. Price for a very suoerior
quality, $4 Ou. send 2 cent stamp for circular.
jau-T tf Dry Goods Emporium, Agents
Lexington
Mo
FINE ARTS.
DRAWING. OIL PAfNTING. AND
PArNTING,
WORK.
WAX
MRS. C. O. BARKtR, an experienced
Teacher in Drawing, Oil Painting and Wax
w.irk would inform ail desirous oi receiving
thnrniiih ami full instructions. In the finest
jttyleot the above branches of Art. that she has
opened rooms to teach a class, at the residence
of Dr. Barker, corner of College and Franklin
tr-tn. Lexin-rton. Mo. For Terms and to
examine siiecimens, please call nt the place
bove mentioned.
NEW SADDLE AND HARNESS
MANUFACTORY .
Mi
J. F,
-p riRENSKAW, Manuuvctnrer
1. . V. and Dealertn SADDl.ts,
HARNESS. COLLARS, WHIPS, SPURS
KK1DT.KS.LASHES. f TTRH Y-Cf (MBS.
BRUSHES, c, Ac, PINB STREET
north of O. S. Presbyterian church.
Mv rork is hot midi by boys, but ov expen
encev- workmen, and ot the best material, wd icq
will sell as low as good work can De sold.
rjrRepairing done at reasonable prices.
decIS ly T. C. CRENSHAW
DBS. SMALL, CHAMBERS CO.
A.
G.
SHALL, M. D.
Vuumu, M. D.
,1 . B. Alhasdis, M. I.
V. H. CUAMBEBS, M. D.
. Xlrull-
OFFER their gervices m tne prscu--.une
and Surgery, to the public, with the
hoi that their association together will ten..
Krlly to promote their knowledge of diseases,
ETJ '".Prove L.ir skill t. -VCthronic
iney win g.e -;-'rr. cons.der
h
ces are rendered,
rti-nriter
. . .i n h n rh. .ervic
Lceir lees uu - .. . .,.
and will collect a eoen thereaiter as .e
deem advisable. firln .
P?V?J"1 Ve membcT ol
U I I JW. .IlflLfllUCl O. A . j
the above Arm are respectlu ly invited,.-..
nestiy tmou to seuie iiiiine.u.c.j -- -Oflice
over Boteler A Clagett's store.
IR. T. 8. SMITH,
PHYSICIAN and Surgeon. Oflice and resi
dence on Main street, east o( the Courthouse.
Special attention given to surgery. Calls
promptly attended to. in tawn and country, no-t
Tn Adtm-IUrr'AW persons who contem
ulate making contracts with newspapers lor the
insertion of Advertisement should send to
J0f0WLL.
for a circular, or inclose 5 cent for their one
hundred page pamphlet, containing lists of ,(MJ
newDapers anu wmu.w., pn...
n ... y.7i ,., tn m... useful hints to advertis
er and some account of the men who are
.,;,- a successful advertisers. This tlrm are
proprietors of the American Newspaper Adver
tising agency.
f.il?
4 i
mm
. . .1 . - .ai...i1 of nneiiu&led facilities for Be'
...,r,n the insertion of advertisements in all
Xewspapers and Periodicals at lowest rates . ;
31- L. 13E-L-.T,
DOVER, Lafaj-etie Co., Mo.
PXALCR IN
STAPLE AND FANCY DRY GOODS,
GROCERIES, HATS, CAPS,
BOOTS AND SHOES.
a mo. General antl Commission Merchant
A Th. Bnest Warehouse in the county. Con
signment of Hemp, Tnbjcco, Bacon and other
Produce solicited, casu pain ior vra.u. n-)i
wTOHX CLOWDSLEY,
GENERAL COLLECTOH
LEXIlTOX. MO.
nov.tf
JOII.1 OOEHXER.
MAK.rACTUREB OF
Monuments, Tombs & Grave Stones
Of either Foreign or American Marble
mch'lti. ' LKX1NKTOM
MO.
CASH I CASH! CASH I
T WILL pay the highest market price In CASH
I for WOOL,
HIDES,
PELTS,
BEESWAX,
FEATHERS, Ac.
runners of Lafayette and Ray counties, don
take trails for the above articles. Cntne to me
and get the C AMI . 1 cn be found at my old
-.! four doors west of the oostodlce.
1 keep lor sale, cheap for cash, all kinds of
WINES AND Liyuuus.
I.. FF.INEMAN
Muom.
My DONAN & ALLEN.
SAI.T JOSEPH
FIRE AND MARINE
Insiiii-jiiic-ti Company,
Of the City of Saint Joseph, Mo.
INCORPORATED 1S67-
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT NOV. 13th, ISM I
Cash in bank and Company's office. .$.Vi,6u9..'8
Loans on oomts and mortgage inrsi
leins.) (Total value of morticaged
premises. 33-.000.00.) 112.558.7-
iVmouiil loaned on stock, bonds, etc... ,!lu."t
hort loans. 30. So and 'JO days 3, ,ijb.iw
DoniuhM.!. e.oiuitv Iks.l bonds (market
valuel 15. 600. 00
Saint Joseph city bonds(market value) , 500.00
:ish in hands of agents m course ol
transmissions 14, 5-1.1-
Oillce furniture, actual cash value- 1,-oo.nO
Stock notes, bankable paper oo.uuo.ou
Total available assets
LIABILITIES ;
Loss reported and unadjusted
.tl,u--.-5
ti.500.00
DIRECTORS :
MILTON TOOTLE,
oi lootie, t airieigh c cn. .wnoiesate dry gd'S.
JOSEPH C. HULL,
Cashier First National Bank.
D. M. STEELE,
President of St. Joseph Denver City R. K.
A. BEATT1E,
of A . Beattie A Co. , Bankers.
GEO. W. SAMUEL.
Capitalist.
J. W. BAILEY,
of Bailey. Kay A Co.. wholesale notions.
GEO. BUEL,
proprietor Buchanan Woolen Muis.
SILAS WOODSON,
Attornev atLaw.
p. l. Mclaughlin, capita'iut.
GEO. W. SAMUEL, President.
JNO. A. NICELY. Secretary.
P. L. MCLAUGHLIN, Vice President.
WM. R. KERR, General Agent.
Prompt and Liberal Adjustment of Losses, a Sqeclalty
WITH THIS COMPANY.
dec21
GEO. WITHERS, Ajrent,
Lexington, Mo
L. A. Brown, W. W.Pahkk, Jas. P. Pouter.
Notary Public
BROWN, PORTER & CO.,
GENERAL REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE S
COLLECTING AGENTS,
MOBERLY, MO.
A LL business entrusted to their care will re-
I A ceive i.rompt attention. Otnce, corner
need and llliams street. oc'iiby
PACIFIC HOUSE,
MOBERLY, MO.
W. II. ROBERTSON - - - Proprietor
rpWO blocks west of Depot. Newly furnish
A
liard Hall aitached.
oc.tlyl
FIXE FAItM FOR SALE.
IJAVING DECIf.EI TO CHANGE MY BUSI
XX ness. 1 now o er for sale, privately, one of
the finest farms n Lafayette county, lying on
the Warrensburg road, three miles southeast ot
-e-iukiud,
Containing m Acres of Choice Land.
The farm it, ttnely improved, well watered
and has a good orchard on it; well proportionet
with woodlaud. nasture. meilow .n.l ..lti.t.
ing lands, ror turther particulars call and ex-
Fr "iu.e. or address
MRS. E. A. CROMWELL,
Lexington. Mo
P. 8. T. e advantages of this farm are too
numerous .o mention. Call and examine,
aug 17-t
Or
kegs promptly an J
sea.lyl.
....r AMTHOMT. FKANCIS EDM!
ASTHOXY K KCIIX'S
O 1 11 W 1Z UY,
SIDNEY BUEL STS., ST. LOUIS
Manufacturer of Beer and Lager Beer
der for hall Darreis anu
carefully attended to.
HI1AVV HOUHE,
RICHMOND, MISSOURI.
PALL R. BAKER, Proprietor.
rfVHIS house ha been relltted and furnished in
I the latest style. No pain will be tred to
render our guests comfortable. The public
patronage toliclted novgtmd
Kotsc'B Persons wuhiug the addres of then
uaper otianged, must slate where the paper I
al present leceived, a well as where it is to be
seat in th lutur.
Pl'BLIC SALE.
FTAVING determined to quit farming
fl I will oiler at public sale on my
lunn, -in miles south of Dover, on
the date of
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23. 1S73
all my fieraoual property, to-wit: Horses
Mules. Cattle, Hogs, Farming V lensils. Ma
chtnery, etc. Terms ot sale: All sums lev-
than ten dollars, cash; over that anion nt
credit of twelve uiontli will be given, the purs
i-naser giving note with approved security
uaaring interest from dale at ten per cent, per
annum. U7td JOHN K. GANTT
LUIYETTE
SILVER CORNET BAND
WE A OULD RESPEC. FULLY announce to
the public, at home and abroad, that we
are prepared to furnish music at all times, at
low raves. . van oe employed lor Picnics
l-ouii-ai .ccuukb, -.A-orsions, r ail's, AO. w
have on han.l a choice sWectioM of 50 oiece c
he latest Musio, and .eel satisfied that we can
give satisfaction .
Communications addressed to J.D. Chambers
Secretary, or Geo. .e ler, Leader, will receive
prompt attention.
A DEBT OF HONOR.
(From London Society.
Hush! what was that cry, so low
et so piercing, bo strange yet
so sorrowtulf -- was no. mo
marmot upon the side of the liighi
was not the heron aown Dy me
lake no, it was distinctly human.
Hush! there it is again from the
church-yard which I have just left.
INot ten minutes bave eiapsea since
I was sitting on tfae low wall of the
church yard of Weggis, watching the
calm glories of the noonlight il
luminating with silver splendor the
Lake of Lucerne; and 1 am certain
there was no one within the inclos-
ure but myself.
lam mistaken, surely. What a
silence there is upon the night;
Not a breath of air now to break up
i:to a thousand brilliant ripples the
long reflection of the August moon,
or to stir tne lonage or tne caesi-
nuts; not a voice in the village; no
splash of oar upon the lake. All
hie seems at pertect rest, ana tne
stillness that reigns about the top
most glaciers ot bL trotbard has
spread its mantle over tne warmer
.....
world below.
I must not linger; as it is, I shall
have to wake up the porter to let
me into the hotel. I hurry n.
Not ten paces, though. Again I
bear the cry. This time it sounds to
me like a long, sad sob of a wearied.
broken heart. Without staying to
reason with myself, 1 quickly retrace
my steps.
I stumble about among the iron
crosses and the graves, and displace,
in my confusion, wreaths ot immor
telles and fresher flowers. A huge
mausoleum stands between me. and
the wall upon which I bad been sit
ting not a quarter of an hour ago.
The mausoleum casts a deep shadow
upon the side nearest me. Ah! some
thing is stirring there. 1 strain my
eyes the figure of a man passes
slowly out ot the shade, and silently
occupies ray place upon the wall. It
must have been his lips that gave out
that miserable sound.
What shall I do? Compassion and
curiosity are strong. The man whose
heart can be rent so sorely ought
not to be allowed to linger here with
his despair. He is gazing, as I did,
upon the lake. I mark his pre file
clear cut and symmetrical: I catch
the lustre of large eyes. The face,
as I can see it, seems very still and
placid. 1 may be mistaken; he may
merely be a wanderer like myseii;
perhaps be heard the strange cries,
and has also come to seek tue cause.
I feel impelled to speak to him.
I pass trom tbe path by the church
lo the east side ot tbe mausoleum,
and so come toward him, the moon
full upon his features. Great heaven!
How pale bis face is!
"(jood evening, sir. 1 thought my
self alone here, and wonderod that
no other travelers had found their
way to this lovely spot. Charming,
is it not?"
For a moment be says nothing,
but his eyes are full upon me. At
last he replies: -
It is charming, as you say, Jlr.
.Reginald Westcar."
lou know mer 1 exclaim, in
astonishment.
"Pardon me; I can scarcely claim
a personal acquaintance. But yours
is tbe onlv Ji.nglih name entered to
day in theLivre des Estrangers."
"You are staying at the Hotel de
a Concorde, then?"
An inclination of the head was all
the answer vouchsafed.
"May I ask," I continue, "whether
vou beard lusi. now a very strange
cry repeated three times;
A pause. The lustrous eyes
. . - . . i
seem to searca me inrougn anu
through I can hardly bear their
gaze. Then he replies:
"I fancy I heard tbe echoes of some
such sounds as you describe.
The echoes! Is this, then, the man
who gave utterance to those cries ol
woe! is it possible? Tbe face seems
so passionless; but the pallor of those
cheeks bears witness to some terrible
agony within.
I thought some one must be in
distress," I rejoin, hastily; "and
hurried back to see it 1 could be ot
any service."
"Very good of you," he answers,
coldly; "but surely such a placo as
this is not unaccustomed to tbe voice
of sorrow."
"No doubt. Sly impulse was
mistaken one."
"But kindly meant. You do not
sleep less soundly for acting on that
impulse, Kegmald westcar.
He rises as he speaks. He throws
his cloak around him and . stands
motionless. I take the hint. My
m3'sterious countryman wishes to be
let alone. Some one that be has
loved and lost, lies buried here.
"Good night, sir," I 6ay, as I move
iu the direction of the little chapel
at the gate. ''.Neither of us will
sleep the less soundly for thinking
of tbe perfect repose that reigns
around this place.''
"What do jTou meau?" he asked.
"The dead," I reply, as 1 stretch
my hand toward the graves. 'Do
you not remember the lines in 'King
Lear?'
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well."
"But you have never died, Reginald
Westcar. You know nothing of the
sleep of death."
For the third time he speaks ray
name almost familiarly, and I
know not why a shudder passes
through me. 1 have no time, in my
turn, to ask him what he means; for
he strides silently away into the
shadow of the church, and I, with a
strange sense of oppression upon me,
returned to my hotel.
Tbe events which I bave just re
lated passed in vivid recollection
through my mind as I traveled north
ward one cold November day in the
year 185 . About six months pre
viously I bad taken my degre at
Oxford, and bad since been enjoying
a trip upon the Continent; . and on
ray return to London I found a letter
awaiting me from my lawyers, in
forming me, somewhat to my aston
ishment- that I had succeeded to a
small estate in Cumberland., I must
tell you exactly bow this came about.
Uy mother was a JMiss Kingwood,
nd she was the youngest of, three
children; the eldest was Aldina, tbe
second was Geoffrey, and tbe third
(my mother) Alice. Their mother
(who bad Deen a widow siuce my
mothers birth) lived at this little
place in Cumberland, and which was
known as The bhaiiows. bbe died
shortly after my mother's' marriage
with my father, Captain w estcar.
My Aunt Aldina and my Uncle
Geoffrey the one at that timo aged
twenty-eight, and the other twenty
six continued to reside at The Shal
lows. My father and mother had to
go to India, where I was born, and
where, when quite a child, I was left
an orphan. A few months after my
mother's marriage my auut disap
peared; a few weeks alter that event,
aod my Uncle Geoffrey dropped
down dead, as he was playing at
cards with Mr. Maryou, the proprie
tor of a neighboring mansion known
as The Mere. A fortnight after my
uncle's death, my aunt Aldina re
turned to The Shallows, and never
left it again till she .was carriod out
in her coffin to her grave in the
church-yard. Ever since her return
from her mysterious disappearance
she maintained au impenetrable re
serve. As a school boy I visited her
twice or thrice, but these visits de
pres,-od my youthful spirits to such
an extent that as I grew older 1 ex
cused myself from accepting my
aunt s not very presBiug invitations;
and at the time 1 am now speaking
of I had not seen her for eight or ten
years. I was rather surprised, there
. . . . i mi .
fore, when she oequeainea me ido
Shallows, which as the surviving
child, she inherited under her
mother s marriage settlement.
But The Shallows had always ex
ercised a grim influence over me
and the knowledge that i was now
going to it as my home oppressed
me. The road seemed unusuany
dark, cold and lonely. At last
passed the lodge, and two hundred
yards more brought me to tne porcn
Vory soon tbe door was opened oy
an elderly female, whom I , wen re
membered as having been my aunts
housekeeper and cook. 1 had pleax
ant recollections ot her, and was
glad to see ber. To tell the truth, I
had hot anticipated my visit to my
newly acquired properly with any
great degree of enthusiasm; but a
very tolerable dinner bad an inspir
ing effect, and I was pleased to learn
that there was a bin of old Madeu a
in the cellar. Naturally, I soon
grew cheerful, and consequently
talkative, and summoned Mrs. Balk
for a little gossip. Tbe substai.ee of
what I gathered from her rather de
lusive conversation was as follows:
My aunt had resided at The
Shallows ever since the death of my
uncle Geoffrey, but she had main-
t.iiued ft silent and reserved habit,
and Mrs Balk was of opinion thut
she had bad some great misfortune.
She had persistently refused all in
tercourse with the people at i. ho
Mere. Squire Maryon, himself a
cold and taciturn man, had once or
twice showed a disposition to be
friendly, but she had sternly repulsed
all such overtures. Mrs. Balk was
of opinion thai Miss Kingwood was
not "quite right, as she expressed
it, on some topics; especially did
he seem impressed with the
idea Tbe Mere ought to belong
to her. It appeared that the Ring-
woods and Maryon3 were distant
connections; that The Mere belonged
in former times to a certain Sir
Henry Benet, that he was a bachelor,
and that Squire Maryon's father and
old Mr. Rtugwood were cousins of
his, and that there was some doubt
as to which was the real heir; that
Sir Henry, who disliked old Maryon,
had irequontly said he had set any
chance of dispute at rest by be
queathing The Mere property by
will to Mr. Ringwood, my mother's
father; that, on his death, no such
will could be found; and tbe family
lawyers agreed that Mr. Maryon was
the legal inheritor, and my uncle
Geoffrey and his sisters must be
content to take The Shallows, or
nothing at all. Mr. Maryon was
comparatively rich, and the Ring
woods poor; consequently they were
advised not to enter upon a costly
lawsuit. My Aunt Aldina maintain
ed to the last that Sir Henry had
made a will, and that Mr. Maryou
knew it, but bad destroyed or sup
pressed the document. I did not
gather from Mrs. Balk's narrative
that Miss Ringwood had any found
ation for her belief, and I dismissed
the notion at once as baseless.
"And my Uncle Geoffrey died of
apoplexy, you say, Mrs. Balkr
"I don't say so, sir; no more did
Miss Ringwood; but they said so."
"Whom do you mean by they?"
"The people at The Mere
the young doctor, a friend of
Squire Maryon's, who was brought
over from York, and the rest; he fell
heavily from his chair, and his head
struck against tbe fender. ,
"Playing at cards wiih Mr. Mar
yon, 1 think you said.'
"Yes, sir, he was too fond of cards,
1 believe, was Mr. Geoffrey.
"is -iir. jaaryon seen much it,
the county; is he hospitable?"
"Well, sir, he goes up to London
a good deal, and has some friends
down from town occasionally, but he
does not seem to care much about
the people iuthe neighborhood."
"He has , some children, Mrs
Balk?"
"Only one daughter, sir; a sweet,
pretty thing she is. Her mother
died when Miss Agnes was born."
"You have no idea, Mrs. Balk
what my Aunt Aldina's great mis
fortune was?"
"Well, sir, I can't help thinking it
must have been a love affair. She
always hated men so much."
"Tuen why did she leave The
Shallows to me, Mrs. Balk?"
"Ah, you are laughing, sir. No
doubt she considered, that The Mere
ought to belong to you, as tbe heir
of tbe Ringwoods, and she placed
you hero, as near as might be to the
place.
"In hopes that I might marry Miss
Jlaryon, eh, JJlrs. uaiitr
"too. are laughing again', sir.
don't imagine she thought so touch !
of that, as of the possibility of yottt j
discovering : something about the
missing will."
1 bade the communicative jots.
Balk goodnight, and retired to my
bedroom a low, wide, sombre, oak
Danneled chamber. I must confess
that family stories had no great in
terest for me, living apart trom them
at school aod college as I Lad done,
and as I undressed 1 thought more
of the probabilities of sport the eight
hundred acres oi wiiu nuouuug u-
longing' to The Shallows would
afford me than of the supposed will
my poor aunt had evidently worried
hersejf about. so much. Thoroughly
tired after my long journey, 1 soon
fell fast asleep amid the deep shad
ows of tho huge four-poster I men
tally resolved to chop up into fire
wood at an early date and suostuute
for it a more modern iron bedstead.
How long I had been asleep X do
not know, but I suddenly started op,
tbe echo of a long, sad cry ringing
in my ears. . ' "
1 listened eagerly sensitive lo tbe
slightest sound painfully sensitive
an one ts only in the deep silence ot
the night. "
I heard the old-fashioned clock I
had noticed on the stairs strike
three. The reverberation seemed to
last a long time, then all was silent
again. "A dream," I mattered to
myself, as I lay down upon the pil
low; "Madeira is a heatiog wine;
but what can I bave been dreaming
of?"
Sleop seemed to have gone alto
gether, and the busy mind wandered
among the Continental scenes I bad
lately visited. By and by 1 iound
myself in memory once more within
the Weggis churchyard. I was sat
isfied; I had traced my dream to the
cries I bad heard there. I turned
round to sleep again. Perhaps I fell
into a doze I cannot say; but again
I started up at the repetition, it
seemed outside my window, of that
cry of sadness and despair. I hastily
drew aside the curtains of my bed
and at that moment tbe room seemed
to be illuminated -wiib a dim, un
earthly light and I saw, gradually
growing into human shape, the fig
ure ot a woman. 1 recognized in it
my aunt, Miss Ringwood. Horror-
struck 1 gazed at. the apparition; it
advanced a little the hps moved J
heard it distinctly say:
"Reginald Westcar, The Mere be
longs to you. Compel John Maryon to
pay the debt of honor.
I fell back senseless.
When next I came to consciousness
it was wben I was called in the
morning. The shutters were opened,
aod I saw tho red light of tbe dawn
ing winter sun. There is a strange
pympathy between the night and
the mind. All one s troubles repre
sent themselves in an increased
hundred-fold if ones wakes in the
night aud begging to think about
thetn. A muscular pain becomes
the certainty of an incurable internal
disease, and headache suggests the
incipient softening of tbe brain. But
all these horrors are dissipated with
the me rning light, find ttie'aftcr-g.ow"
of a cold bulb turns them into jokes.
So it was with me on the morning
after my arrival at The Shallows. I
accounted most satislactorily tor all
that had occurred, or seemed to have
occurred, during the night, and re
solved that, though the old Madeu a
was uncommonly good, I must be
careful in future not to drink more
than a couple ol glasses after dinner.
I need scarcely say that I said
nothing to Mrs. Balk ot my bad
dreams, and shortly after breakfast
took mv gun and went out in
search of such game as I might
chance to meet with. At three
o'clock I sent the keeper home, as
his capacious pockets were pretty
well filled, telling him that I thought
I knew the country, and should stroll
back leisurely. 1 hey gray gloom ot
tbe November evening was spread
ing over tbe sky as I came upon a
small plantation which I believed
belonged to'me. I struck straight
across it ; emerging from its shad
ows, I iound myseu Dy a . smau
stream and some marshv land; on
the other side another small planta
tion. A snipe got up, I fired, and
tailored it. I marked the bird into
this plantation and followed. Up
got a covey of partridges bang,bang
one down by the side of an oak.
I was about to enter this covert when
a lady and gentleman emerged, and
struck with the unpleasant thought
that I was possibly trespassing, 1 at
once went forward to apologize.
Before I could say a word the gen
tleman addressed me.
"May I ask, sir, if I have given
you permission to shoot over my
preserves ?"
"I beg to express my great regret
sir," I replied, as I lifted my hat in
acknowledgement of the lady's pres
ence, "that I should have trespassed
upon your land. I can only plead,
as my excuse, that I fully believed I
was s'.ill upon the manor belonging
to The Shallows."
"Gentlemen who go out shooting
ought to know the limits of their
estates," he answered, harshly ; "the
boundaries of The Shallows are
well defined, nor is the area they con
tain so very extensive. You have
no right upon this side the stream,
sir; oblige me by returning."
I merely bowed, for I was nettled
bv his tone, and as 1 turned away I
noticed that the young lady whisper
ed to him. '
"One moment, sir," he said, "ray
daughter suggests tbe possibility of
you being the new owner of The
Shallows. May I ask if this is so ?"
It had not occurred to mo before,
but I understood in a moment to
whom I had been speaking, and I
replied :
"Yes, Mr. Maryon my name is
Westcar.''
Such was my introduction lo Mr.
and Miss Maryon. Tbe proprietor of
The Mere appeared to be a gentle
man, but bis manners were cold and
reserved.and a careful observer might
have remarked a perpetual restless
ness in the eyes, as if they were
physically incapable of regarding the
same object for more than a moment.
He was about sixty years of age,
aDoarentlv : and though he now and
aain made an effort to carry himself
uDritrht. the head and shoulders
soon drooped again, as if the weight
of vears. and. it might be, the mem
ory of the past, were a heavy load
to carry. ,t)f Miss -Maryon it is
sufficient to say that she was nine
teen or twenty, and it did not need
a secood glance to satisfy me that
ber beauty was ot bo ordinary kind.
1 must hurry over the records of
the next few weeks. ', I became a
frequent vistor at The Mere. Mr.
Maryon's manner never became cor
dial, but be Mid not seem displeased
to see me ; and as to Agnes well,
she certainly was. not displeased
either. . '
I think it was on Christmas Day
that I suddenly discovered that I
was desperately in love. Miss Mar
yon bad been for two or three days
confined to ber room by a bad cold,
and I found myself in a great state
of anxiety to see ber again.- Iam
sorry to say that ray thoughts wan
dered a good deal wben I was at
church upon that festival, and I could
not help thinking what ample room
there was for a bridal procession up
the spacious ' asile. Suddenly my
eyes rested upon a mural tablet, in
scribed, "To tbe memory ot Aldina
Riugwood.", Then, with cold thrill
there came backnpon me wnat I had
almost forgotten, tbe dream, or what
ever it was, that bad occurred on that
first night at The shallows ; ; and
those strange wurds: "The Mere
belongs to you. Compel ' John
Maryon to pay the debt , of honor."
Nothing but tbe remembrance of
Agues' sweet . face availed for the
time to banish the vision, tbe state
mont, and the bidding.
Miss Maryon was soon downstairs
again. Did 1 flatter myseii too mucn
in thinking that she was as glad to
see me as I was to see her ? No I
felt sure that 1 did not. Then
began to reflect seriously upon my
position. My fortune was . small,
quite enough for me, but not enough
fur two: and as she was heiress ot
The Mere and a comfortable rent roll
of some six or eight thousand a year,
was it not natural that Mr. Maryon
expected ber to make what is called
"a good match ?" Still, I could not
conceal from myseii the tact, that ne
evinced no objection whatever to my
frequent viits at his house, nor to
my taking walks with bis daughter
when he was unable to accompany
us. '
One bright, frosty day I had been
down to tbe lake with Miss Maryon,
and bad enjoyed the privilege of
teaching her to skate, and on return
ing to the house, we met Mr. Maryon
udod the terrace. He walked, with
us to the conservatory ; we went in
to examine the plants, and he re
mained butside, pacing up and down
the terrace. Both Agnes and myself
were strangely silent; perhaps my
tongue had found an eloquence upon
the ice which was well met by a shy
thoughtfulness upon 'her. part. But
there was a lovely color upon her
cheeks, and 1 experienced a very
considerable and unusual fluttering
about my heart. It happened that
as we were standing at the door of
thie conservatory, both of us silently
looking away from the flowers upon
tbe frosty view, that our eyes lighted
at the same time - upon Mr. Maryon
He, too, was apparently regarding
thB : prospect,- - whets aaddeaiy -?-
Daused and staggered back, as if
something unexpected met his gaze
"Oh, poor papa 1 I hope he is not
going to have one of his nts : ex
claimed Agnes.
"Fits ! Is he subject to such at
tacks? 1 inquired.
"Not ordinary fits," she answered,
hurriedly; "I hardly know how to
explain them. They come upon him
occasionally, and generally at this
period of the year.".
"Shall we go to him V I suggested.
"No : vou cannot help him ; and
he cannot bear that they should be
noticed."
Wo both watched him. His arms
were stretched up above his head,
and again he recoiled a step or two
I sought for an explanation in Agnes
face."
"A stranger!" she exclaimed.
"Who can it be?"
I looked toward Mr. Maryon. A
tall figure of a man had come from
tbe further side of tbo bouse; he
wore a large, loose coat and a kind
ef military cap upon his head.
"Doubtless you are surprised to
see me, John," we heard the new
comer say, in a confident voice ; "but
I am not the devil, man, that you
should greet me with such a peculiar
altitude. He held out bis band
and continued : "Come don't let
the warmth of our old fellowship be
all on one side this wintry day.
We could see that Mr. Maryon
took the proffered right band with
bis left for an instant, then seemed
to shrink away, but exchanged no
word of this greeting.
"I don't understand this," saic
Agnes, and we both hurried forward
The stranger, seeing Agnes approach
lifted his cap.
"Ah, your daughter, Jchn, no
doubt. I see the likeness to her
lamented mother. Pray, introduce
me."
Mr. Maryon's usually pallid fea
tures had assumed a still paler hue
and be said in a low voice :
"Colonel Bludyer my daughter
Agnes barely bowed.
"Charmed to reuew your acquaint
ance, Miss Maryou. When last
saw you, you were quite a baby ; but
your father and I were very old
friends are we not, John?"
Mr. Maryou vaguely nodded bis
head.
"Well, John, you have often press
ed your uospiialitv upon me, bu
till now 1 have never bad an oppo
tunity of availing myself of your
kind offers ; so I have brought my
bag, aud intend at last to give you
the plersure of my company for
few days."
I certainly should havo thought
that a man of Mr. Maryon's dispos
tion would have resented such con
duct as this, or, at all events, have
given this self invited guest a chilling
welcome. Mr. JMaryon, however, in
a confused and somewhat stammer
ing t.ne, said that he was glad
Colonel Bludyer had come at last,
and bade his daughter go and make
the necessary arrangements. Agnes,
iu silent astonishment, entered the
bouse, and then Mr. Maryon turned
to me hastily and bade me goodby,
In a by no means comfortable frame
of mind 1 returned to The bhaiiows
The sudden advent of this miscel
laneous Colonel was naturally some
what irritating to me. Not only
did I regard the .man as an intoler
able bore, but I could not help fancy
ing that he was something more than get up to The Mere and ask after Air.
an old friend of Mr.-Maryon's ; b &Tk"S
tact, 1 was led to judge Dy Mr. fatlcued with nur.hi. hrr iu.ir. s..
ursinsr
Maryon's strange conduct tbat this there was nothing to do but trudse home
Bludyer had some power, over bim Ka'n- , , , .
nuivu , uiiguii OA.iy.iwu . iu ' n rA, If,.,-..,,- - .1.1,1
UCbllluvu, V bu, . -. . v l. is-o.t, mu."
and I was convinced there was some
mystery it was my business to pen
etrate.
The following dav 1 went up to Tbe
Mere to see M Miss Maryou was desirous
of renewing her skating kwu. i found
the party in the -Uluaru-rooua, Agnes
marking for tier lather and tne Colonel,
Mr. Maryon, whom X knew to be an ex
cepllonally good player, seemei incapa
Die oi making a decent stroke; toe (Jul.,
on the other hand, could evidently 'give
a professional hfteen and beat bim easily.
we ail went down to the lake together.
I lyd no cnaneof any - quiet conversation
with Agues; tbe Colonel was perpetually
'jesides us.
I returned home disgusted. : For two
whole days 1 did not go near The Mere.
On tbe third day t weut up, hoping that
the horrid Colonel would be gone. It was
beginning to snow when I left The Shal-
fowa. at about I we o'clock in tbe after
noon, and Mrs. Balk foretold a heavy
storm and bade me not be late return-
Liu..
'. The black winter darkAes&lu the sky
deepened as ,L approached Tbe Mere. . I
was osnerea sgmi tnio nt Dttft-ro-room
Agnes was marking, as upon tbe nrevl
ous occasion, but two days had worked a
sad difference 111 her lace. Mr. Maryon
hardly notice d my entrance ; he was flushed
and played eagerly ; the Colonel was bois
terous, declaring mat. jonu nau never
played better twenty years ago. - I re
lieved Agnes ot tbe, duty- of marking
The snow fell in a tbick layer, upon tbe
skylight, and the Colonel became serious
ly anxious about my return home." As I
did not thing he was the propper person
to give me hints, I resolutely remained
where I was, encouraged n my behavior
by the tew words l gained Irom Agues,
and bv the looks of entreatv she cave me.
I had always considered Mr. Maryon to
be an abstemious man," but he drank. a
good "deal Of brandy and soda, during the
long .game oi seven nunureo up, ana
when he succeeded in" beating the Colonel
by lorty-tnree ne waa in roaring spirits,
and insisted upon my staying to dinner
Need I say that I accepted tbe invitation .
I made such toilet as 1 could in a most
unattainable chamber that was allotted
to me, and hurried back to the drawing
room in the hope that 1 might get a few
private words with Agnes. 1 was not
disappointed. She, too, had hurried
down, and in a few words I learned tbat
this abominable Bludyer was paving her
his coarse attention, and with, apparently,
the full cotisent of Mr. Maryon. My in
dignation was unbounded. Was it possi
ble that Mr. Maryon intended to sacrt-
fflce this lair creature to that repulsiv
man? "
Mr. Maryon bad appeared in excellent
spirits wnen dinner oegan, and tne nrst
glass or two of champagne made him
merrier than I thought it possible for him
to be. But by the time tbe desert was
on tbe table he bad grown silent and
thoughtiui; nor did lie respond to tbe
warm euiogiums tne colonel pa.sed upon
the magnum of claret which was set be
fore us
After dinner we sit in the librarv. The
Colonel left the room to fetch some cigars
ho had been loudly extolling. Then
Agnes bad an opportunity of whispering
lo mo:
Look at papa ?ee how stransrelv he
slls his hand clenching the anus of tbe
chair, his eyes fixed upon the blazing
coals! How old he seems to bel His
terrible fits are eeming on he is always
like this , toward the end of January!'
lhe Colonel's return put an end to any
further confidential talk. '
Wben we separated tor the niirht I felt
tbat my going to bed would be purpose
less. 1 felt most painfully wide awake
1 threw myself down upon mv bed. and
worried myself by trying to imagine what
secret there could be, bet wean Maryou
and Bludyer for that a secret of some
kind existed I felt certain. I tossed about
till I heard the stroke of one. A dread
ful restlessness had come unon nif. 1
seemed as if the solemn nightside of life
was busy waking now. but the silence
and solitude of my antique chamber be
came too mucn ior me. I rose trom mv
oeu, ana paced up ana down tne room
I raked up the dying embers of the tire.
and drew an armchair to the hearth. 1
fell into a doze. By-and-by I woke up
suaueniy, anu i waswjonscious ol stealthy
tootsteps in the passage. My sense of
hearing became painfully acute. I heard
the footsteps retreatins down the corri
dor, until they were lost in the distance.
1 cautiously opened tbe door, and. sha
ding the candle with my hand, 1 loked out
there was nothing to be seen ; but I felt
that l could not remain quietly in my
room, and. closing the door behind me.
1 went out in search of I knew not
what.
The sitting-rooms and bedrooms In or
Again and again these words forced
themselvs upon me, as I listlessly gazed
out upon the white landscape. The: strange
scene tbat I had witnessed on that mem
orable night 1 passed.beneath Mr. Mar
yon's roof had brousrht them back to my
memory with redoubled force, and I be
gan to think tbat the apparition I bad
seen or dreamed of on my nrst nigm
at The Shallows had more of truth iu It
than I had been willing to believe.
Three more days passed awav, aud. a
carter-boy from The Mere brought me a
note, it was . Agnes nana writing, it
said:
"Dear Mr. Westcar: Pray come up
here, if yo possibly can. 1 cannot un
derstand what is the matter with papa:
and he wishes me to do a dreadful thing.
Do come. I feel tbat I have no trieud but
you. 1 am obliged to send this note
privately. " . . .
1 need scarcely gay that five minutes
afterward I wag plunging through the
snow toward The Mere. It was already
late on that dark February evening as 1
gained the shrubbery, and as I was Don-
uering upon the best method of securing
admittance, I became aware that the
figure of a man was hurrvinfif on some"
yards in front of me. At first I thought
it must be one of the gardeners, but all of
a sudden 1 stood still, and my blood
seemed to freeze with horror, as 1 remark
ed tbat the hgure in front of me left no
truce of footmarks on tfte An mo! My brain
reeled for a moment, and I thought 1
should have fallen, but I recovered my
nerves,, and when 1 looked before mc
again it had disappeared. I Dressed on
eaeerlv. 1 arrived at the front door it
was wide open, and l passed through the
hall to the library. 1 heard Agnes
voice:
No, do, papa. You must not loree
me to this: 1 cannot will not marry
colonel Klujy er I ' '
You muf, answered Mr. Maryon.
in a hoarse voce; 'you mutt marry him,
and save your fattier from somethini.
worse than disgrace! '
Not teeling disposed to play the eaves
dropper, I entered the room. Mr. Mar
yon was standing at the fireplace. Agnes
was crouching on the grouud at bis feet.
I saw at once tbat It was no use for me to
dissemble the reason of my visir, and.
without a word ot greeting, 1 said:
"Miss' Maryon, 1 have come in obe
dience to your summons. If I caii
prevent any misfortune from falling upon
you, l am ready to help you with my hie.
You have guessed that I love you. If mv
love is returned I am prepared to tlispute
my claims witu any man.
Agnes, with a crv of joy. rose from her
knees, and rushed toward me. Ah! how
strong I felt as I held her in my arms!
'I nave my answer," I continued
Mr. Maryon, I bave reason to believe
that your daughter is in fear of the future
you have forecast for her. I ask you to
regard those tears, and to give her to me.
to love and cucrisn as mv wile
Mr. Maryon covered his face with hi
hands, and I could hear him murmur. -'Too
late too late!"
"No, not too late." 1 echoed. "What
is this Bludyer to you, that you shouid
sacrihce your daughter to a man whose
very iook proclaims him a villain? Noth
ing can compel vou to such a deed not
even a debt of honor!"
What it was impelled me to sav these
last words 1 know not, but they had an
extraordinary eflect unon Mr. Mar von
He started toward me, then checked him
self: his face was livid, his eyeballs
glaring, and he threw up his arms in the
strange manner l had already wituessed
vvnat is .an mis?" exclaimed a
harsh voice behind me. "Mr. Westcar
insulting Miss Maryon and her father! It
is time ior me to intertere. ' ' And Colo-
lie) Bludyer approached me meuacinsrlv
All his jovial manner and fulsome court
esy were gone, and in his flushed face
anu insneiiL jook me savasre rascal was
revealed.
lou will interfere at your Deril." I
replied. "I am a younger man than you
aie, anu my sirengtn nas not been weak
emd by drink and dissipation. Take
care. 7
The villaiu drew himself nn to his full
height, and, tliout.li he must have been
at least some sixty years of age, I felt
assured that I should meet with no ordi
nary adversary if a personal struoo-le
should lusue. Agnes fainted, and 1 laid
uer on tne sola.
Miss Maryon wants air." said the
Colonel, in a calmer voice. "Excuse me,
Mr. Maryon, if I open a window." He
tore open the shutters, and threw up tb
sash. "And now Mr. Westcar. unles.-
you are prepared to be sensible, aud make
your exit by the door, I shall be under
tne unpleasant necessity ot throwing you
out of the window."
lheruthan advanced toward me as he
sLioe. ouuueniy ne paused, tlis jaw
Our leader bad entered the door of the .
room, and we were in tbe same chamber I
has wnierej to wnen i naa siept at Tbe
Mere. Tbe figure of Geoffrey Kinrwood .
pau-ed at the round-table, and looked
again at Mr.- Maryon, who proceeded :
lou weut straight to the tutu panel
from the fireplace, and then touched a
spring, aud die panel opened. Yon said
-uai mc win giving una property to your
father and his heirs was to be foun i theie.
l was convinced that yoti spoke the truth,
but suddenly remembering your love of
gambling, I suggested that we should
play for it. You accepted at once. We
searched among the papers and found tbe
will. We placed the will upon the table
and began to play. We agreed that we
would play up to ten thousand pounds.
Your luck was marvelous. In two hours
the limit was reached. I owed you tea
thousand pounds and bad lost The Mere.
lou laughed, and said, well. John, yoet
have had a fair chance. At ten o'clock
this morning 1 shall expect you to pay me
your debt of honor. ' 1 rose; tbe devil of
despair strong upon me. With, one hand
l swept the cards rrom tbe table Into the
tire, and with the other eized you by the
throat, and dealt you a blow 'upon tbe
temple, lou feu dead upon the floor."
.Seed 1 say mat as 1 heard this fearful
narrative. 1 recognized the actions of the
siecp-walker, and understood them all?"
Lo theetiu:" said the hollow voice.
Confess to tbe end!"
The doctor who examined your body
have his opinion a- the inquest, that jroa
iiau uiea oi apoplexy, cau.ed by strong
cerebral excitement. My - evidence was
to the effect tbat 1 believed you bad lost a
very larire sum of money to Cam. Blud-
vt r, and that you told me you were utter
ly unabie to pay it. The jury found their
verdictaccordingly , and I was left Iu un-
dis urbed possession of Th Mere. But tbe
memory ot my crime haunted me aa only
such memories can haunt a criminal, and
I became a moro?e and miserable man.
One thing bound me to life my daughter.
n nen l.einaiu vv estcar appeared upon
he scene 1 thought the debt of honor would
satisfied if lie married Agnes. Then
i.ludyer reappeared, and he told me that
ie knew that 1 had killed you. He tbreat-
:ned to revive tbe story, to exhume your
body, and say that Aldina Ringwood had
told him all about the wilt. 1 could pur
chase his silence only by giving him my
laughter, the heiress to The Mere. To
kis 1 conseuted."
As he said these last words. Mr. Maryon
link heavily into tbe chair.
1 he hgure ot Ueollrey King wood placed
e ghostly hand upon his left temple.
mJ then passed silently out of the room.
1 started up aud followed the phantom
ong the corridor down the staircase
.nt at the front door, which still stood
peu across the snow-covered lawn
nio the plantation: and then it disappear-
ij as strangely as l nrst bad seen it; and, -i.-irdly
knowing whether I was mad or
Ireaniing, 1 Iound my way back to The
Shallows.
'U'ur soma .week -1 was ill with brain
tver. When I recovered I was told that
errible things had happened at The Mere..
tlr. Maryou had been found dead in Sir
ileury Benet's room an eUusion of blood
upon the bi am, the doctors said and tbe
.uy ot Colonel Bludyer had been dis
Mveied iu the snow in an old disused
r.vel pit not far from the house.
year alter 1 married Agues Maryon;
md, if all that I had seen and beard upon.
tli tt 3.1 of February was not merely the
invention of a fevered brain, the debt of
louor was at last discharged. lor I, the '
lephew of the murdered Geoffrey LUng-
.vood, became the owner of The Mere.
dinary use at The Mere were in the mod- dropped; his hair seemed literally to stand
Aril nnrF nf rh hmifift- hut. thpn. was at. I i.t-.: : ... , .
eru part ot the house; but there was an
old Elizabethan wing which 1 had often
longed to explore, and in this strange
ramble of mine I soon bad reason to be
satisfied that 1 was well within it. At the
end ot an oak-paneied narrow passage a
door stood open, and I entered a low,
somber apartment ntted with furniture
In the style of two hundred years ago.
There was something awfully ghostly
about the look of this room. A great
four-post bedstead, with heavy hanriiis9.
stood in a deep recess; a round oak table
and two oigh-oacked chairs were In the
center of the room. Suddenly, as I gazed
on these things, I heard stealthy footsteps
in tne passage ana saw a dim light ad
vancing. Ac:ing on a sudden impulse, J
extinguished my candle and withdrew
into the shadow of the recess, ' watching
eagerly, xne lootsteps came nearer
My heart seemed to stand still with ex
pectation. They paused ontside the door,
for a moment really for an age it seemed
to me. Then, to my astonishment, I
saw Mr. Maryon enter, lie carried a
small night-lamp in his hand. Another
glance satisfied me lhat he was walking
in bis sleep. He came straight to the
round tame and set down the lamp. He
seated himself iu one of the high-backed
chairs, his vacant eyes staring at the
chair opposite; then bis lips be an to
move quickly, as it ne were addressing
some one. ihen he arose, went to tbe
bureau, and seemed to take something
from it; then he sat down again. What
a strange action of bis bands! At first I
could not understand it; then it flashed
upon me that iu this dream of his he must
be shuffling cards. Yes, be began to
deal; then he was playing with his adver
on end; his white lips quivered; he shook
as wuu an ague; ms wnoie lorm appeared
to .brink. 1 started in amazement at the
awful change. A strange thrill 6bot
through me as I heard a quiet voice sav :
"llichard Bludyer, your grave is wait
ing ior you. ViO. '
The figure of a man passed between me
aud him. The wretched man shrank
back, and, with a wild cry, leaped from
itiu winuow ne nau opened.
All this time Mr. Maryon wa3 standing
like a lifeless statue.
In he!, less wonder I gazed at the figure
before me. I saw clearly the features in
profile, and, swift as lightning, my mem
ory was carried back to the unf.irgotten
scene in the church-yard upon the Lake
of Lucerne, and I recognized the white
face of the young man with whom I there
had spoken.
"John Maryon," said the voice, "this
is the night upon which, a quarter ot a
century ago, you killed me. It is your
i us. uijjiu on eartn. ou must "o
through the tragedy again.'
Mr. Maryon, stili statue-like, beckoned
to the figure, and opened a half-concealed
door which led into his study. The strange
but opportune visitant seemed to motion
to me with a gesture of his hand, which I
felt I must obey, and followed in this
weird procession. From the study we
mounted by a private staircase to a large,
well -furnished bed-chamber. Here we
paused. Mr. Maryon looked tremblingly
at the stranger, and said, in a low, stam
mering voice:
"This is my room. Iu thi room, on
this night, twenty-five years ago. you
told me that you were certain Sir Henry
uenet s win was in existence, and that
GANG WARILY.
From the Kansas City Times, Jn. IS. J . "'
Some Si. Louis papers notably the
(jrlobe and Democrat are making much
o no over tue reported conversion ot
Oen. Jo. Sheiby to Republicanism.- It is -
ait very well, these interviews of theirs,
in J read as pleasantly as any other sen- -tion,
having no more at bottom in the r
way of foundation. As far as theyg'o,''"
hey are correct, perhaps, but they do
not go far enough. They judge the sol-
dier Shelby by the same standard that they
.vould judge '.he politician Shelby. Itia
not safe to weigh the two men in the same
-cales, for when such is done there Is
neither accuracy nor satisfaction about
he result. He should be judged no more
by the extravagancies of his conversation.
tiiau by his ruses and stratagems in war. "
tie is a soldier, even in civil lite. The -,
real attack does not always lie on the
side w here the heaviest fire of his decla- '
inatious are heard. He delights in '
surprises, iu sudden feints that savor of
ieuiity, in the intricacies of 'complicated
-kirtnishiiig that deveiopes-nothing ' but '
he portion of the enemy, and in a mul- .
titude of scouting adventures that are-.
interesting simply because of their ubi- '.
quity. S tne times he puts on over the '
ilue, and sometimes his advance follow
che Stars and Stripes instead of the Stars
and Bars. This is war, but it is not the'
kind of war which makes up the indei ot .
ms reai cuarac er. unly In dark and des
perate battledoes this stand outT-steadfast,
massive, full of grand creations and-herolc
deeds. Never mind the reckless baiiin- .
ige and bravado of tbe politician Shelby,
i'hese are no more the guides o the line
f his march, or the keys to his-real point
ot attack, than are the grand guards of
an army the army itself.
l'o the Jefferson City reporters he waa
new year's gift. Each one took a piece
f his conversation as a memento, and
-et it in the frame-work of a dispatch,
gilded with rhetoric aud made precious by
head-lines and exclamation points! The
interest will last for a season. Between
Jo. Shelby and Radicalism there are too
many memories, holy and precious; too .
many graves on which there is no grass:
too many battle-flags, tattered and torn ;
and loo many mute aud appealing spirits
who died that liberty aud Democracy
might abound in the laud. Grieved over
Blair's defeat all his soldierly ardor
arou-ed and active, full ot the bitterness
and gloom of overthrow, he was iu fine
condition for the newspaper syndicate
that besieged him, and he threw out his
declamations as of old he would throw
out his skirmishers. This is all. Were a
Democratic battle to be fought tomorrow,
the first summons to the conflict would
come from Shelby's rallying bugle, and
ttie fiercest charge of all the desperate
day would come from those whom he Jed
iu war, aud who, of all others, he
would most deliarht to lead asratn when
ever the need was greatest and sorest.
sary his lips moving anxiously at times, you had made up your mind to dispute mv
iiusecs-tuii u mis DroDertv. . ou linn
discovered letters from Sir Henry to your
lather which gave you a clue to the spot
w h r- i rbuf- i.-i 1 1 n...U. I .- l
ux..- iuiiiv uc lOUUU. X ou,
Geoffrey Ringwood, of generous and ex
travagant nature, oflered to find the will
in my presence. It was late at night, as
now; all the household slept. I accepted
your invitation and followed you . ' '
Mr. Maryon ceased: be seemed physic
ally unable to continue. The terrible
stranger iu his low, echoing voice
replied :
' 'Go on ; confess all.' '
"lou aud I, Geoffrey, had been what
the world calls trtends. We bad been
much in London together; wo were both
passionately lonu ot cards. He had a
common acquaintance, Richard Bludyer.
He was present on the 2nd of February.
when I lost a large sum of money to you
a; escarte. tie muted to me that you
might possibly use these sums in institu
ting a lawsuit against me for the recovery
of this estate. Your intimation that you
knew ot the will alarmed me. as it had
become necessary for me to remain owner
of The Mere. As I have said, 1 accepted
your invitation, aud followed you to Sir
juenry isenei s room; anu now I follow
you aain. -
As he paid this Geoffrey Ringwood, or
his ghost, passed silently by Mr. Mar
yon, anuieu me way mto the corridor
At the end of the corridor all three paused
outside an oak door, which 1 remembered
e-i. a. KM'-!- irom tne leader made Mr
Maryon continue:
ini??h tn'9 hrrsh0d you told me sud
denly that Bludyer was a villain, and had
&y- l?Ur 8i8ter Aldina; that she had
MA.I with hi... .1.-. - .i - ....
- ...... turn, uignt; mat he could
j- marry ner. as you bad reason to
miow ne naa a wife alive. You made me
swear to help you in your vengeauce
against him. We entered the room as we
eater U now."
A look ot terrible eagerness came over
the sleep-walker's countenance. With
nimble lingers he dealt the cards and
played. Suddenly with a sweep of his
hand he seemed to fling the pack into the
fireplace, started from his seat, grappled
with his unset n adversary, raised his pow
erful right hand, and struck a tremen
dous blow. Hush! more footsteps along
the passage! Am I deceived! From my
concealment I watched for what is to fol
low. Colonel Bludyer comes in, half
dressed, but wide awake.
"Y'ou maniac!": I hear him mutter:
"I expected you were given to such tricks
as these. Lucky for you no eyes but
mine have seen your abject folly. Come
back to your room . '
Mr. Maryon is .till gazing,his arms lifted
wildly above his head, upon the Imagined
toe wnom ne naa felled to tbe ground.
The Colonel touches him on the shoulder,
and leads him away, leaving tbe lamp
My reasoning faculties had fully returned
to me. I held a clue to the secret, and
for Agnes sake it must be followed up. 1
took the lamp away, and placed it on
table where the chamber candlesticks
stood, relit my own candle, and found my
way baca to my bed-room.
The next morning, when 1 came dowa
to breakfast, I found Colonel Bludyer
warming himself satisfactorily at the
blazing fire. 1 learned from him th it our
host was far from well, and that Mis
Maryon was in attendance uroii her father;
that the Colonel was charged with all
kinds of apologies to me, and good wishes
ior my saie return nome across me snow.
1 thanked bim for the delivery of tbe mes
sage, while I felt perfectly convinced that
he had never been charged with it: How
ever that might be, I did not see Mr.
Maryon tbat morning, and I started baek
to The Shallows through tbe snow.
For the next two or three days the
weather was very wild, but I contrived to
SENATORIAL "SLUSH."
From tbe St. Louis Republican, M.J
The testimony taken by tbe house
committee at Jefferson City, ir vesti
gating charges of bribery, relating
to the late senatorial contest, shows
enough color, as the miners say, to
warrant a thorough digging into the
subject. It is quite evident tbat
friends of Gen. Dorriss bad money
in large sums to expend, but it seems
preposterous that a party compara
tively so obscure could havo-any
reasonable expectation .of gaining
the senatorial position "by ' such
means. As yet the only "member
who appears o be implicated is Dr.
Stancil, representing Pemiscot coun
ty in the house, whom senator Essex
virtually charges with attempting a
bribe in behalf of Gol. Bogy, but
without any evidence of complicity
oa Col. Bogy's part. The looseness
of certain money trausaCtions at tbe
capital, a short time previous, to the
caucus, is notorious, and we are nre
our readers of all parties will join us
in urging tbat tbe investigation s-hall
be made thorough and searching.
Dr. Stancil, if guilty, should be ex
pelled from the house forthwith, and
the most summary measure, taken
to vindicate tbe honor and good name
of the state in every particular.
Those little brothers! will we never hear
the last of them? Ou theconsummatiou of
a recent marriage in au uiwtowu family
visitor unwisely observed to the youo'ir
ster, "lou're a brotliei4n-law bow
Tommy." Yes," said Tommy, pl
ring out his cheeks offensively , "out a
says I will bu aa uncle by and by. "
A
', !
t t