The Arm Chair Library No. 79: The Haunted Homestead — page 33: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

-ty-four hours ER TS RI ON EG ET eee glances with Mathilde, who had just joined us, looking blooming as Hebe in her fresh morning toilet. Now, I was always a bashful girl— I mean moderately so; therefore, I never could account for the spirit that entered and moved me to say and do what I soon said and did. I happened to be standing beside Mr. Legare, and his hand rested earessingly upoh my head when he repeated: ““The half of my kingdom’ to the | knight that shall deliver my castle from this dragon.” I answered: “Oh, your majesty! Never offer the half of your kingdom! None but a mercenary wretch would undertake the enterprise for such a bribe! Offer the hand of your princess, and a thou- sand lances shall be laid in rest for such a prize!” I do not know whether he discov- ered the serious meaning under my lightly spoken words, for he fell into the humor of the jest, patted me on the head, and said: “Agreed! the hand of my princess to the brave knight who shall deliver me from this plague!” gi accept the challenge!” said Mr. Howard, “and promise that in twen- the mysterious carrier of the keps shall be vanquished!” “It is a treaty! It is a treaty!” ex- claimed one after another of the young men and maidens who were present, Mr. Legare looked around in some confusion at being taken up so se- riously, and then laughing, said: “Very well—agreed! I ratify the compact, Mr. Howard; though I don’t believe your part of it can be fulfilled. And now to breakfast!” We adjourned to the old house— all who were in the secret wondering in what manner Mr. Howard would undertake to exorcise the key-demon; but all discussion was waived for the _ Re + ee tree ee THE HAGNFER HOMESTEAD.- hd ge ee ee ne eee e present, while we dispatched the nec. essary business of the table. After breakfast Frank Howard asked for a horse, and rode up to Frost Height. He was absent two hours, at the end of which time he returned, bringing with him a set of locksmith’s tools and a flat piece of board, such as show- ace ks are sometimes screwed upon for W hen he had brought these things into the new house, he challenged Mr. Legare, and all who wished to see the mystery evolved, to accompany him to the chambers above. Of course, everybody aceepted the invitation. We all went first into the gentle- men’s room, and stood around in a semi-circle, with our faces toward the door and our eyes fixed upon the lock and Frank Howard. First he turned the key, and begged that we would ob- serve that all was fast, and watch the result. Then he came away, and we waited with our eyes fixed upon the lock. In a little less than fifteen minutes we both heard and saw the eatch fly back, and the door swing open! I cannot tell you with what a super- stitious thrill we all shuddered, though this was in broad daylight and in the mutually supporting presence of a dozen persons, and though there was a machinist on the spot, profes- sing himself ready to demonstrate that this was a purely mechanical phe- nomenon! There, ladies and gentlemen, all see the action!” “We all see!” “No hand was near the lock?” “None!” “There could have been no decep- tion?” “Assnredly not,” we all declared. “Oh! certainly not—I have seen the you COMME IOOKS (E(O)