Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 10, Number 8, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 23 August 1879 — Page 6

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE,

WHERE 8HA LL WE LAND ?L

All listlessly we float Oat seaward In the boat That bearelh love. a*, «. O ir Balls of purest snow Bend to the btae below

\i ft* A *&*

And to the blue above. Where shall we land 7

yi-T

We drift upon a tide Shoreless on every side Have where the eye Of fancy sweeps lar lands Shelved sloplugly with sands

A $cJ ti'yt

Of gold and porphyry, whe lere sbail we land

sf&T

The fairy Isles we see. Loom up so mistily— t-& Mo vaguely fair,

We do not care to break

Fresh Dubbles In our wake To bend onr course for there. Where Khali we land? The warm winds of the deep Have lulled our sails to sleep,

And so we glide

Careless of wave or wind, Or change of any kind, Or turn of any tide.

Where shall we land

We droop onr dreamy eyes Where onr reflection lies, Steeped in the sea, And in an endless fit Of latgoor sm»le on it

And its sweet mimicry. Where shall we land "Where shall we land t" God's grace! I know not any place

So fair as this—

Swung here between the blue Of sea and sky. with you To a«k me, with a kiss, "Whereshall we land?" —J. W. Riley, In Indianapolis News.

WE COME AND QO.

There is sweet philosophy In these pretty lines, entitled "We come and go": If you or I

To-day shoull die,

The birds would sing as sweet to-morrow The vernal spring Herflowers wou bring, And few would think of us with sorrow.

Yes, he is dead, Would then ba said

The corn would floss, tho grass yield hay, "Thft cattle low, The summer go, And few weuld heed us pass away.

How soon we pass! How few. alas

Remember those who turn to mold! Whose faces fade With autumn's shade, Beneath the sodded church yard cold!

Yes, it is so— 1 "1 We come, we go—

They hail our birth, they rnoprn us dead A day or more, ,1 The winter o'er,

-v

Another takes oar place Instead.

Blackwood's for July.'

The Ghost of Morcar Tower,

RFor three generations the direct heir to the estate of Moroar's Tower has not succeeded to the property. The last owner. Squire Fairlax,* waj a hale, jovial fellow, and had three stalwsrt sons, yet none of them lived to possess the place.

Toe eldest was killed when Clyde's army relieved Lucknow, the second fell victim to the jungle fever that haunts the moist rice fields of Central India, and the youngost—it gives me a choking .^sensation in my throat even now when

I recall bis fate. The hero of the Playing Fields, stroke of the eight-oar in the most closely contested race that Oxford ever won, he was a favorite everywhere, and the pride of his home. I can see him yet with his laughing brown eyes, standing up against the crack loft-handed bowler, who oame assured of an easy victory fol* Stepton over the eleven of Stepton-in-the-Fens. There were some of us whothought when he carried his bat that greater triumphs must be inatore for that ready hand. tbat. watchful eye and cheery spirit.

year

later*, When a pleasure boat

went down in a squall, the only hope left us was that he bad not suffered long, for there was a dark bruise on the pale forehead when the body was washed ashore. His father never recovered the blow, but died soon after his boy, and thus it Game to pass that I, a distant cousin, found myself the owner of Moroar's Tower',

The eurte, If corse there still bo, will be again fulfilled. for no children of mine will ever brighten the gloomy chambers of my new home. It matters

not how

I know this so certainly, forJt

Is not my own story,that I am about to t»U. iI Let it suffice to say thst the joy was crushed out of uiv life ere I was thirty, S3 that I abandoned ray chosen career, and hid myself in a lonely cottage, thinking that in the quiet lire of a student I might And solace for my deep g.-ief.

When I first beard tbat the old Tower was mine, I was unwilling to remove from the abode to which Inad already

Seotion

rown accustomed but on further re* I decided that the effort must be made, and that I must not shrink from my new duties on aooount of the melancholy associations connected with the piaoe. To the Tower therefore I went, taking with me the treasured volumes (hat were my only friends.

For obvious reasons I cannot give the true names of the localities I aoi about to describe, but they will be easily recognised by anyone belonging to that neighborhood who may chance to peruse this tale.

Moroar's Tower was situated in one Of the flattest districts in England. In old days, before cannon were in use, it most have been a valuable stronghold, for it was then surroanded by a reedy fen, full of langerons and unsuspected depths, and only practised guides could find tue narrow paths that threaded through the gram and rashes. Gradually, however, the fen-land was reclaimed, though the drainage was extremely difficult, and a canal, more sluggish than any I have seen elsewhere, was cut aoross from the Ayder to the Dseoe, The soil was rich and paid well, and at last a little town grew up, known as Stepton-in-the-Fens, to distinguish It from Stepton proper, or, as It was sometimes called, Stepton-on-tbe-WoldL This wold was nothing out arise of the land on the west of the Tower, and would hardly have been remarked in a lees level eonntry.

The tower Itself was more properly a keep, square and gri m, built of dark red stone, that took a purplish hue when wet. Round It was a deep moat that on three sides bad been hastily and careiessly Ailed up. Yellow hawk weed and the straggling ragged robin grew in profusion on the unequal surmos of the earth that had been thrown loosely Into it, and I wondered greatly that my cousin should have allowed this disorderly fringe of weed to remain round

Next day I felt somewhat ashamed of the nervousness that had seized me, for though I do not boast of any special amount of animal courage, I had never before experienced such uneasiness. I concluded that my nervous system must be unstrung, and resolved to take more exercise than I had been in the habit of doing of late.

I asked the butler casually if he had been up stairs late last night. He was an elderly man, and had spent many years in my cousin's service. I thought there was something strange in his look and tone as he replied "No, sir none of us were up stairs last night.-'

A confused remembrance of a ghost story oame into my mind, told long ago by a chance guest, and summarily cut short bjlthe old squire. Perhaps the Tower was haunted and a ghost was part of my inheritance. I hesitated to inquire lest I should put the idea into the heads of the servants but as I bad little faith In the supernatural origin of so-oalled ghostly disturbances, I took sundr,precautions against imposture. I h&i once bsen a fair shot, so I opened a long untouncbfe4\bx and got out a pistol that had lain there ibr two years. This I cleaned and put away in my zoom. I then ordered that candles should be alaced there In addition to my usual Jamp, and desired that the bell should be at once altered

P: la b„

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[TERRS

the house. I remembered* however, tbst when my cousin Fimnli had once proposed some alteration, his father had replied, with unusual sharpness, that he did not choose to meddle with the moat. On the fourth side the ditch was Its orL wit where

The walls of the Tower were enormously thick, and the interior was consequently somewhat sombre. There was plenty of old fashioned furniture, but there were few modern elegancies in the house. In the room tbat had been Harry's there were two new easy chairs, some engravings alter Landseer, and some pewters and cups, relics of the foot races and sculling matches of his Eton and Oxford days.

On the ground floor were the drawing and dining rooms, with two smaller apartments the bedrooms were upstairs and the servants—I bad but three—all lived in some newer apartments at the back.

I myself chose to inhabit a curious turret tbat projected from one corner of the Tower, partly because it was light and cheerful, partly because I had formerly used it when visiting my cousins in our boyhood.

The round shoulder of the wold cut us off early from the evening sun, and from the turret windows I could watch the light being stolen from our Fens by the advancing shadows of the fir clad rising ground.

I loved to see the last glitter die off the canal, and irom between the reed beds, to watch a lazy barge, perhaps, being moored for the night, a gray heron earing his way across the opal sky, or a string of carts going slowly hopaeward— for no living creature moved quickly in the Fens.

When all was still, save that the frogs had begun to croak among the rushes, pensively turned to my books, and in mystic volumes, such as the history of the Rosy Cross, sought for counsel from men who, like me, hsd resolved to be alone.

One night, when I had been about a fortnight at the Tower, I sat up rather later than usual at my studies. A new vista was opening before me, and I now seemed to be on the point of reaching over that indefinable barrier that separates us from the other world in which spirit is the known reality—a world whose laws must some day yield themselves up to our mastery. I raised my head and drew in along breath of the night air that blew in at the open casement. While sitting thus, pursuing an argument in my own mina, the sound of a stealthv footstep on the stair oaught my ear aftd broke the chain of my reverie.

Irritated at this disturbance, I resolved to forbid the servants coming up stairs so late, and then turned to resume my reading. But the words on the page conveyed no meaning to my mind and I soon found myself dwelling instead on that unwonted sound.

Suddenly it flashed upon me—I had not heard the step go away. My door faced the stairs and only a very small landihg intervened between. I looked at my watch it was half-past one.

Obviously none of the household had any business up stairs at that hour—had I heard the step of a burglar who was even now outside my door? I was unarmed and beyond reach of help, for the bell in my room communicated with an empty part of the Tower and I had not yet given orders for its alteration. Hastily and nervously I looked my door and listened long for a retiring footstep, but not a sound came, and I fell asleep at last without undressing.

When evening oame I sat down to my work and read w(tb quite my usual attention, but I could not recall the keen perception of tho previous night,

About 1 o'clock I felt my mind wandering involuntarily from my book, although I had not been award of the lateness of the honr until I looked at my watch a quarter of an hour later I bend a faintsound. I listened anxiously It was the same step as before, coming slowly up stairs, the step of one who walks wearily—the step of a woman, for I distinctly heard the rustle of a

the footsteps reached the door I threw it open. There was no one there. A sense of horror seized me, and I think at that moment I -would rather have met any visible foe than have stood face to face, as it were, with an empty sound.

Next morning Bond lingered nnnec eesarify la removing the breakfast things, and after glancing two or three times at me as I sat idly by window, he spoke "Stir, Fairfar-efeuse m§, Wr—bot yon don't look very well this morning." *•1 don't feel very well, Bond," I replied. "Been disturbed at night, perbapa, said the old man, pointedly.

What do you mean Why should I be disturbed at night "Because you're the d#o«T of Moroar's Tower, rtr." "Then there is story that I don't know I exclaimed. "Go and finish your work. Bond, so as not to let the women remark anything, and then oome and tell me about it.1*

When he returned Bond gave me a garbled version of the tale I shall presently relate in the words of one Immediately concerned but be added that since the commission of the crime tbat

ve Mo rear's Tower its evil name it been haunted by mysterious footsteps. No ghost had ever been seen, but these steps continually passed to the door of the room of the owner and there died away. My cousin, Mont hearted, practical man aa he was, bad tried every room In the Tower without iping from this terrible guardian

and Bond thought the nervousness caused by the nightly vitdtation b*d helped to bring about Mr. Faicnut'a sudden death.

Had he been a richer man the squire would have abandoned tho Tower, but he could ill afford to do so, and in time became accustomed to tlae ghost. "Did none of my 'jouelna ever "hear It?" I inquired. "Yes, sir, they did. Mr. James and Mr. Frank each hesrd it before they'left home for the last time. Mr. Frank told me himself, sir, snd said be thought it might be a sign he was never coming back." "And Harry--" ''5 "Master Harry was so much younger don't think he rightly knew the story, Mr. Fairfax tnade the otber'yonag gentlemen and tue promise never to tell it to any one and Master Harry wasn't One to think of things Of the sort." "How did the otfiersfind Ifc out?" "Same way as I did, sir—by master changing his room so often. They got it out of Mrs. Fairfax, poor laay, at last." "Well, Bond, I suppose I can depend upon you to help me if I try to And out anything about the ghost." "Yes, sir but I'd advise you to leave it alone, if I might be so bold." "My good fellow, I can't go on living here without trying to understand this affair. If there is a ghost, there must be some reason for his or her coming, and I could discover the reason it might put a stop to these visits." "Well, sir, there's no denying tbat would be a good thing but I doubt you'll find it beyond you to manage. "At least I'll try, Bond," said I as he left the room.

That night I placed lamps on the stairs and in the passage that led to them, and made Bond sit up there, that he might notice where the steps came from. I myself sat opposite the open door of my room, with my eyes fixed on the stairoase. At 1:15 Bond called out, as agreed on, "It's coming, sir I" and a minute later I distinguished the first footfalls. Slowly and steadily they came up stairs, so that I could count the number of steps. they crossed the landing, and the last one planted itself on threshold of my room then there was perfect silence.

I shuddered and called Bond, who came up white and trembling. "Sir, the steps walked by me where I sat I watched the lamp as you told me, but I saw nothing pass between me and it. I don't know where they began they seemed to start at the end or the passage. Oh, sir, don't meddle with them, or you'll oome to harm!" "I hope not, Bond," I replied. "I am satisfied tbat there is no trick, and 1 must think what is to be done next. Go to bed now, for I suppose we shall hear no more to-uight." "No more, sir, the Lord be praised! It only comes once in a night if it were oftener, I don't think anybody could stand it."

The old man evidently did not like the notion of a oloser acquaintance with the ghost, but now that I knew exactly what happened my own nerves were steady. I felt that here was an opportunity of testing some of the theories in which I was most deeply interested, and I resolved that no effort of mine should be wanting to prove them true or false. I believed in the power, possessed, by a few strong wills, of influencing others at a distance and my own studies had accustomed me concentrate my thoughts—the first step towards excercising such a power if, as I hoped, it was latent in me. I bad never heard of any attempt to control a spirit by such means, but the idea did not appear to me impracticable. Where so little is known experiments are of use, even though their results be only negative. If there is a spirit—thus I argued with myself—that wishes to communicate with the owner of this Tower, surely a reciprocal wish on his part might render the process easier.

Again, the simplest facts of mesmerism show tbat one will control another: surely a spirit, freed from human grossness, should ba sensitively alive to every influence exerted over ft. It only remains to be proved whether I have the needful strength, and whether I can keep coo] and steady if I succeed so far as to obtain obedience from the spirit.

Having settled my plan of action, I began by taking a long brisk walk in the early morning. Before dinner I confined my reading to historical works, but in the evening I perused carefully a volume in which I bad found much curious aud useful information on mesmerism. Soon after midnight I seated myself opposite my open door, having previously placed the lamps so as completely to light up the space before me.

Two rather ludicrous difficulties then struck me. In the first place I did. not know the sex of my unseen visitor. Bond's story would have led me to supse tbat a man would haunt the Tower, ut there was nothing masculine in the entle footfall or the sound of the trailng robe.

Secondly, knew that I must keep one idea steadily before me, yet I could hardly go on repeating the same formula, and I could not think without words. This difficulty, however, was a very elementary one and would be easily overcome by practice. I fixed my eyes 6n the doorway, where the eyes of a flxure of average height would bs, and soon succeeded in making myself think an almost uninterrupted "Come!"

Unfortunately the night was boisterous and stormy the wind screamed past the casement and swept on, as if in a hideous fugue, across the gloomy fen» but as my senses grew more and mor keen, I did not donbt but tbat I oould distinguish the familiar foototeps even through all this storm music.

After awhile the blood nib red faster in my veins, my eyes were unnaturally fixed and hot and my breathing waa oonatrained and rapid, as though every muscle was stiffened—a sensation quite unlike the deep, full inspirations of severe physical exertion.

I should not have realised bow great was the tension of my will had not a gust of wiod u&Add a gate In the garden bang suddenly, when the quiver with which my nerves responded to the sound betrayed to what a pitch I was exaited 1 was close on the hour for the ghost Is visit. I pissed my band across my forehead and eyes, and at the same instant, distinct through the wailing of the wind I beard tbedistant footfall. I grasped the arms Of my chair and half rose in the intensity of my wish but when the' steps reached the top of the stairs something seemed to give way in my brain, the room and lights swam before my eyes but as I sprang np, with my bands to my temples, I saw, or fancied I saw, against the bright background, a shadowy outline of a figure.

It waa an instantaneous impression and I sank back as helpless and weak aa a child, all power of win entirely gone.

An hour passed before oould ahake off my lassitude sufficiently to go to bed out I slept sonndlv and to my great satisfaction found that instead of being fatigued 1 waa more active than and on the following day.

To Bond's inquiries I merely replied that I was carrying out a plan which I hoped would succeed in time, but tbst I oould not give him the details,

rv\

1 1

HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL

It is unnecessary to describe the ex.* perlraeutsof each succeeding night. I tor a found tbat the power of concentr Atiog my will incressed with every effort. On three occasions I saw the same shadowv outline, but on each a chance sound' disturbed me or irresistible fatigue deprived me of strength Just when I most needed it. At length I resolved to take one night's uninterrupted rest and to begin my next attempt only a few miuubes before one, so as to have more power in reserve when the critical moment should arrive. I was glad to find tbat I attained almost immediately the required state of concentrated volition, but I endeavored to make my condition more natural than it bad ever yet been. I gazed more quietly and observantly at the spot where I hoped the spirit might appear, and made mesmeric passes as if before a figure faoing me.

As 1 o'clock struck my senses grew more alert never before had I felt myself possessed of such subdued and controlled strength even my breathing became deep and regular.

I could, not account to myself for these novel sensations, but I was filled with a buoyant delight ,-whioh was almost ecstasy. My bands, as I continued my passes, seemed to feel an opposing force, as though I were drawing a weight towards me. There was none of the former heat and excitement, but a genial warmth pervaded every limb.

I knew I had power over the spirit I could but keep myself steady. At last it was close on the quarter when I heard the first step in the passage. I stretched out my hand in motionless command and expectation. As the steps resched the turn of the stairs the outline became visible once more grew distinct, came nearer, and pausin at the doorway seemed so tremble nn„ gathered itself into the form of a woman in a clinging robe, who bent towards me with a look tbat I shall never forget.

and again the same spot. tried to speak, but my

rot.

Bm.

I tried to speak, but my

voice refused to come, so I thought the

question I wished to ask: "Am I to search here for something?" Her smile answered me, and she then signed to me to open the window and come out. Placing my lamp on the floor so as to be out of the draught, I got over the low sill and stood at the edge of the moat. The spirit floated a yard or two further, and pointing down to the ground wrung her hands piteously. "Did some one die there?" I asked in a whisper, for I felt that my power was waning, and it was no longer difficult to speak. The pale bands pointed to the breast of tho figure, which was already fading, as though her desire was accomplished. "Tell me," I cried, flinging myself doWn before bei", "if search the panel and this spot, will you be at rest?"

She bent towards me once more witb a smile of intense peace on her face and melted out of my sigbt.

Whether I fainted or whether I fell into the deep sudden sleep that sometimes follows mesmeric exertion I cannot tell, but when I came to myself day was breaking and my lamp was burned out below the open window.

After breakfast I gave Bond an account of my adventure and could eisily see that the good old man thought my brain was affected. "You will help me to search tbepauel, Bond, aud that will prove whether my storv is true or only a dream," said I.

To the window we arrordih'gly went, and Bond inquired whether he was to break the walnsoot. "Certainly not," I replied "if thereja hiding-place here there Is some Way of opening it, Which I shall try to find before I allow the wood to be broken."

Inch by inch I examined the wood and compared the mouldings carefully with those on the opposite side. My attendee's incredulity was so manifest that I should greatly have preferred to prosecute the search alone but by dblng so I should bsve lost the testimony or ad additional eve witness to the discov* ery I felt confident of making. After a long and pattent*scrutiny 1 found in the lower corner of tbe panel an inch ^r so of moulding tbat fitted into the rest. Another quarter of an hour passed ere by a chance movement I gave it the turn required to loosen it. When it came ont and showed a spring concealed below it my excitement was very great, and Bond himself began to share the feeling and hurried off for oil with which to clean the rusty metal. We soon discovered the secret of the bolt «nd a portion of the panel slid back below the moulding, revealing a small reoess in which lay a roll of manuscript tied with a black ribbon, Dost and damp bad made the writins difficult to decipher, but when the sad history lay spread before me I decided to give it to the world, along with an account of my mesmeric experiment. 1 have modernised tbe spelling and supplied a few obvious words tbat were either blotted or illegible in tbe original. The date was eaten away, bnt from family papers 1 know that it must have been August, 1773. The manuscript ran as follows: "I am going to write down what hm happened. It may be that no one will t?«r md what I write, hut should this paper tell into the hands of auy pitiful persons, surely they will grstve for as. "Mr. Fairfax is a bad man. Heaven forgive me if I ought not to think him •o! but I must needs say it here. Hj father says be is hot worse than his neighbors, and tbat it is tbe habit of most gentlemen to drink and swear in his fashion. If it be so, it is an ill thing for women that have to bear therewith. My father Is a poor curate In Stepton. He has as good blood In his veins as Mr. Fairfax himself bnt then he Is very

or, as I have said. My mother and Fairfax were friends, and when Mrs. Fairfax died my mother took charge of tbe little baby she left, along with me, That baby waa my Harry-

*y\

She was very young, and the misery on her face might have made the hardest heart pitiful. In her eyes was that abiding look of horror tbat sometimes remains after a great mental shock—a look almost impossible to describe, but which oonveys its meaning instantaneously. Her mobile lips were slightly parted and her small hands tightly clenched at her sides. Although every feature was distinguishable, there was no semblance of humanity abont ber. She was a pale, shadowy figure, and the outline of her head and dress remained tremulous, as though ready to melt again into air.

As she gazed earnestly at me, and I felt that she could communicate her thoughts to a certain extent, and read mine, in this mysterious spirit contact. I did not speak, but I tbougut the words, "Poor soul, I will aid you in, anytbing you wish!" A faint smile quivered over her face and she bowed ber bead and beckoned me with one hand. Taking up a small lamp I followed, while she passed down stairs. Her movement was exquisite in its floating grace, and I remarked that her steps were no longer audible: the sound of them was not needed now to plead for ber.

She led me along the passage to a deep window overlooking the moat. Here she paused and pointed to a panel in the oak wainscoting. I oould see nothing peculiar, and glanced towards

the spirit for further explanation. Again she _pointed imperiously to

Harry Fairfax of thla Tower of Moroar's. He and I leaint our flrat lessons together from my mother, and when be grew older my father taught ua both. Old Mr. Fairfax took but email notice of his son. He was usually hunting or quarrelling with some neighbor or having drinking-bouts ot tbe Tower. I will «sy it again—he is a bad man. I feared him much, be looked big on bis black boroe, and be bad a rough voice. I remember how Harry and I were gathering rushes to plait one day when be rode by on tbe narrow path that goes down to the white inn. The willows and rushes were high but tbe back horse was so much taller tbat we could not bide^ as we sought to do. Mr. Fairfax called out with a strsnge oath tbat sounded Jlond snd terri ble and jeered at Harry for playing with tbe parson's brat. Then be rode ou, and Harry was in great pass on the like of which I bad not seen before. Wben I was fourteen my mother died and thereafter I had to take charge of our bouse. Harry always came for teaching from my father but he looked older than I did, for I bad no money to buy myself new clothes and was forced to continue in childish frocks when I might have worn gowns. At last an old aud good friend of my father's sent money wherewith to provide me with sundry needful things, and I remember that I was vexed because wben he saw me in my new attire Harry did not kiss me as was bis wont. He loved books greatly, as did my father, and he hated wine and oaths and all tbe evil doings at the Tower. Mr. Fairfax was angry and oalled him a clerk, but he did not interfere with him. And by and by be loved something more than his books and I could not believe tbat it was so. But it was true, and no creatures were bsppier than we when we sat amon the osiers and talked of what we woul do by and by. Father was sorely troubled when Harry told him, but he was always reading and bad not much of ns. Besides he loved Hsrry as his son and all the more because we would not join in his father's wicked ways. We were just twenty when Mr. Fairtax bade bis son marry a young gentlewoman, whose father would dower her witb certain lands that adjoined those of the Tower. When Harry refused, his father's anger was very terrible, but as be gave no reason for bis refusal Mr. Fairtax let him go, thinking to persuade him in time and with softer words. He however made speed to our bouse and demanded tbat my father should msrry marry us privately. This he would not hear of at fii st though Harry urged it saying it would be bis safety—that Mr. Fairfax bad even said tbe damsel's brother should call him out did be slight her. "He speke so earnestly that at last father consented to make the needful arrangements, and we were satisfied. Alas! while be was absent some rumor had come to Mr. Fairfax's ear, and wben Harry returned home he was made a prisoner in his room, and only allowed to issue from it for his meals. Mr. Fairfax thought to tame him, but he knew not that there was a devioe whereby he might be baffled. In bygone days when Harry wais fain to escape from noisy guests he would slip out at the passage window or if the brawlers were too near tbe stairs for him to pass he would let himself down by a rope cunningly made fast to an iron bar that was across bis own window. A tbin and narrow plank was concealed below tbe grass at the edge of the moat, being held by rope loops to two pegs knooked into tbe bank. Once across the ditch he was free, for the gentlemen were too busy within to espy him. Now, however, his father was always on the watch, fearing lest he should escape. We should have been in sore traits had we not had one friend among the servants—old Betty—who had seen my Harry born. She sped away to me with a messago bidding me to come at dusk and Harry would meet me in the willow thicket across the moat further than tbat be dared not venture. "Was I wrong to go I thought not nay, I think still that was right. Since the night tbat Harry put his signet ring upon my finger I have belonged to him. How, then, could I dispute his will? Moreover, he was in trouble, and I could not refuse to go to him in his need. Therefore I went. "When it was growing late so that it behooved me to return, be led me to the edge of the thicket and kissed me, and that was our very last kiss on earth, yet I know it not. I would I bad known, that I might have stayed to perish With my love. I hurried along tbe darkening path, but before I bad gone far I heard an angiy voice tbat seemed to be tfiat of Mr. Fairfax. I feared greatly for Harry, but I dared not turn back iest I should be seen and cause worse trouble, since it might well be that Mr. Fairfax was only speaking to some groom or laborer. All nigbt I could not sleep for terror, and next-day news was brought to my father tbat Harry bad disappeared. "The country was searched for him, but I knew that he was dead, for had he been alive he would have found means to relieve my anxiety. "Mr. Fairfax shut himself up and drank hard, and after a few days be desired that toe moat should be filled up. "The work was begun, and that night I knew the reason. "Again old Betty came to me, white faced and aged by many years. Sbe told me tbe horrible thing that has never since been out of my thoughts. I see before ma day and nigbt, the darkening path, and my Harry as be stepped on tbe plank and saw bis father standing before him. Old Betty could not tell me what bad passed, but Mr. Fairfax had aeen me, for sbe heard my name. "After many furious words, Harry said clearly, 'I never will give her upr Then—then—that cruel man struck blm bard on tbe temples with tbe handle of hie heavy riding whip. Harry fell back into tbe moat and be never rose again. Mr. Fairfax knelt at tbe edge and called him hoarsely, and when no answer came be rushed into tbe house. "Betty was too terrified to say next day what she bad seen, and I—can I give np Harry's father to punishment? _I who have aeen tbe cause of my husan at

The writing her* became unsteady and indistinct, ss though tbe poor girl's mind had begun to wadder. It 1^ legible on tbe next leaf.

"People look at me strangely they thought I did not hear to-aay when some one said 1 waa mad. Am I mad? No! I am sore am not my briin is quite dear, clearer than ever, and each thought is as bright aa if it were written in flame. I know what I amgoingto do. The moat is not half full yet, but in a few days there will be no room In It. I moat get Betty to hide this paper for me in Harry's panel cupboard sbe Uusbt him and me the trick of it long ago/ I will not tell ber why I want it hidden to-night oh, no, »be mlabtbe suite alone too. Mr.Falrfax is drinking—always drinking. I am going to punish him be shall have twot deaths on his soul, two—two. God will never forgive him aa much as tbst. "I shall be safe with Harry if anybody finds this they need not be afraid

iiis#

for me. I will faaten a stone over my heart that the water in tbe moat may bold me down tight till I find him. "I will sign my own name to this— my name, that noone can rob me of now. "PRISCIULAFAIRFAX."

I determined, after reading this sorrowful tale, to bave tbe moat carefully searched at the spot indicated by tbe spirit. That there might be no lack of witnesses I invited both tbe doctor and curate of Stepton to be present. After reading tbe manuscript they were to the full as anxious as I for further oorrorobo ration of its story. We knew tbat the Fairfax meutioned in it had died suddenly of delirium tremens snd probably the work of tiling in the moat was then discontinued, for as I hsve already remarked, it was ol its original depth on one side of the bouse. As tbe workmen approached tbe bottom they dug slowly and carefully. Complete success rewarded our efforts, for precisely where tbe ghost's finger ba pointed we found the decayed and broken banes of a woman.

The doctor gathered them up with his own hands, aud in doing »o he turned over some of the earth and espied, sunk In wbat bad been soft mud. a heavy signet ring bearing tbe Fiirfax crest. Encouraged by our discoveries, I then gave orders for tbe wbole of tbe moat to to be cleared, in tbe hope that we might find tbe remains of tbe poor youth who was so cruelly murdered.

We inferred from the MS. tbat his. room must bave been at one of the corners farthest removed from the ball, and our conjecture proved true. We found some bones, singularly perfect considering tbeir age, and two or three metal coat buttons. Tbe latter I have placed with the ring and manuscript in a cabinet. To the bones we gave deceut burial, depositing them all In the same grave. Since that day no midnight footstep have approaohed. 013- chamber and I trust tbat tbe uneasy spirit has found rest through the discovery of her fate, and that nothing more will be seen or beard of tbe ghost of Morcar's Tower.

Malarial Fever.

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Bncklen's Arnica Salve. The BEST SALVE in the world for Cuts, Bruises, Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum, Tetter, Chapped Hands. Chilblains, Corns, and all kinds of Skin Eruptions. This Salve is guaranteed to give perfect satisfaction in every case or money refunded. Price 25 cents per box. For sale by GULICK& BERRY, Terre Haute.

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