I had sought my favorite deserted turret, to contemplate a glorious sunset behind the distant mountains, when Rose joined me on the summit, from whence we gazed on the dizzy depth below. She was unusually serious and pale; her laugh was hushed, and she spoke in whispers.
"Why do you choose this spot, Evelin, to indulge your reveries?" she said, "for I can not bear to remain here; and Harold would not ascend this western tower for all the universe."
"And why is it so distasteful to you, Rose?" I inquired, with some curiosity, "for the view is the most superb I ever witnessed. Is this wing of the castle _haunted_?" I added, with a smile, taking her arm, and making a step nearer to the edge, guarded only by a very low, broad parapet.
She convulsively drew me back, exclaiming--"Oh! Evelin, if you knew the dreadful recollections attached to this turret, you would not marvel at my being so nervous. _I_ do not believe it is haunted, but there are folks who do. They report that white fleecy shadows hover around it by night, though perhaps the owls and birds building in the crevices may account for the supposed supernatural appearances."
"And wherefore, Rose, is this turret in such bad repute? What are the dreadful recollections attached to it? A legend of olden times, perhaps?"
"Alas, Evelin," responded my companion, "'tis a reality of our own. My poor cousin, Jocelin Priestly, met with his fearful end here. He fell from this dizzy height on the shaven turf beneath, and lived but a few moments afterward."
"But how did this fatal accident occur, Rose?" I inquired. "Why have you never mentioned it before?"
Paler than ever, Rose replied, with a faltering voice, "Because it was _not_ an _accident_, Evelin" (she shivered, and put her lips close to my ear). "He was cast down intentionally."
"By whom, Rose?" My heart throbbed violently; strange thoughts were rushing through my brain.
"I dare not tell you; I am forbidden to reveal more. I was very young at the time, and things were hushed up; but poor Milly has been a changed being ever since."
"Mildred!" I exclaimed, in surprise; "what effect could this tragedy have on her, more than on other members of your family?"
"It had, it had, Evelin, because she desired to screen the guilty; but ask me no more, and let us quit this hateful place."