Litchfield enquirer., 1862-03-27

CT, who dodged away immediately. ;. But what was the noisef Who screamed Why is the halldoor open r queried Mrs. Mal vel. < ,ssls5.sa ssif, yse;s l,4.a .sfz4
 1T don't know" replied the same agitate voice. Don't ask me -please go away p' Here was mystery. We looked at eac other, at once relieved and puzzled. and, ate some whispering in the hall, and 2, long consult ation in the parior, inspected the premises, sa' to the bolts, and retired again. Every one ha heard the cry, and the door could not have bee opened without hands. Yet who uttered th cry or drew these bolts [ Certainly not one that household. laS3'
 "Ths haunted room" whispered Miss Anne lia. My mind nisgives me yet" sdF 1 Despite these misgivings. however, the morn ing dawned peacefully upon us, and the break fast bell summoned as usual. All were assem
 :" It will neverdo for anyone to be late today, said Mrs. Marvel. as she detected the absence o this gentleman. Bridget, go and call Mir Jen kins." .r' s.s G z}t. -esf192 'g.e;5, rat .gJ
 Bridget came down stairs with an astonishet countenance.
 Mir. Jenkins answered through the keyhol, that he couldn't come, and would like to SCI Mir. George" she said, as she entered. "I'n thinking it's quare." ...f san
 Queer indeed, Bridget Y said Mrs. Marvel.-- The ceremony is to take place at ten, and it il now half past eight. The man must be besid himself!" tr4 s-sf .., s..,
 II feel the most dreadful presentments," sai, Miss Amelia. "I wish that George would conn back. What can be the nlatter?" s-
 We all listened and heard loud slamming o doors and hurrying across the hall, and in fev moments George came flying down stairs ant dashed out into the garden. Ere we c ould col lect our senses we saw him mounted on his pony ride past the window and down the road at , furious pace"
 Something has happened something dread full has happened !" sobbed Miss Amelia.
 Nonsense!' replied Mrs. Marvel. '" It ii one of Georges pranks< IlLgo and call Mir Jenkins, myself" And the old lady mounted tine stairs and bent her steps toward the haunted room. 7.,-n , .-..-.,--. Mir. Jenkins!' she called through the key hole. Mir. Jenkins, are you coming to break fast ?"
 7 No, ma 'am thank you!" replied Mir. Jen. kins. from within. [" No, ma nm, l-I-really cant.' g.. a-,..ar.ss .....a.. i.sst--.z.s
 Do you remember the day?" queried tn. matron. r..
 Il do !'' answered Mr. Jenkins, in a very hol low voice. s9.t as1 t'esat. f'a} sa
 1t is half past eight, proceeded Mrs. Marvel
 Orlando Jenkins only groaned. >, t.s.
 Has anything happened:" asked Mrs. Mar vel in an agitated voice. -
 Yes responded Mir. Jenkins, with another
 What is it-tel me, Orlando 2 pleaded Mrs Marvel. s
 II cannot do not ask me. :" was the answer Are you i'll 7" faltcred the old lady. "No! Was the reply. ..#5 pr .....s..
 "Wounded :'' .-... .s. .--.. s.....
 "No.'
 Do tell me what it is ?''
 "Never!' n-4 -
 Mrs. Marvel returned to the tisconsolate grour in the dinning room. and threw Amelia into hy strries by an account of tue conversation. Alter the paroxysm of laughing and crying had some what subsidized, she ascended the stairs and knocked once more at the door of the haunt eI oom.
 win you come down, Oriando?'' she said " Poor Amelia is so frightened that I believe she will faint" 'a-tser'E @5 ,-1 .Nrj sr If she were dying I could not come ? was the answer tt .,...as Inc .A t,c Fee.
 Mrs. Marvel came down again.
 By this time the household was in state ol fearful alarm ; and all minds were so intent upon
 
 sudden departure of the poor pedlar woman, who had not been seen that morning, was scarcel, though: of. We watched the clock and the road alternately, hoping for George Marvel's return but still he came not. At ten o'clock Mrs. Mar vel went to the door again. .,55.es.f .p.
 "Orando Jenkins, do you know the time 2 she asked. ,'1 .'''.'' '6'--
 The only answer was groan. '.-~ -'
 We knew that the church was open and the minister waiting we saw the bridal veil and robe spread upon the couch :n poor Amelia's room we saw the head which was to have been shaded by that floating veil bent upon its pillow in grie and terror, and we could not tell why this cloud had risen to darken the brightness of the day. Oh! how We longed for Gcorge's return, and how weary seemed the hours that rolled by with out bringing him. At last Mrs. Marvel resolved upon desperate effort. Ascending the stairs she rapped once more, upon the door of the haunt ed chamber, and said, aloud: .4r,.s.7 -.s
 "Unless you open the door, or tell me the req son of your refusal, will have the lock taken of Mir. Jenkins. T r 39 Fa3i'' " %2'E 'i.e7 <
 Mrs. Marvel, replied the gentleman address el in agitated tones" Mrs. Marvel, have Q re volver at my elbow; and, if you do as you have threatened, will take my life!" ? '' s'' ? Our anxiety was redoubled by these singular words, and poor Amelia tainted away in earnest Even Biddy declared that something terrible had happened, and Mrs. Marvel had not the courage to apply her knuckles to the door again, lest the prisoner of the haunted room should carry hi, threat into effect E. .41aas vLl .sdF a4j
 Noon came; two o'clock struck there--four five! The shadows grew long upon the garden path; the evening came on apace, and stil George did not return At last the sun began te set the day which WIS to have seen poor Ame lia bride was at an end, and she lay upon hel couch, almost insensible, amidst tie snowy robe. which she had prepared with so much pride and care; and he who was to have been her bride groom had passed the day prisoner in his cham bcr, and had not tasted food. ss sllsg fs4sgs2
 The red light was fading from the sky when to our joy, we heard the chatter of the pony hoos, and saw George dismount at the garder gate. We did not wait for hisaentrance, but rush ed upon him simultaneously, with anxious ques tiens and eiaculations. s-- TT, T "oht Georger' painted Mrs Marvel, .teIl u if you know what is the matter with Orlando Jen kins ?" ~-------- .---- ----
 Then you don't know?' ,queried George
 No; my dear, no; we do not know, replied the old lady. isssr sseess:s, sy.,, ssa 5lst3lssH
 Tell us, George, tell us! r screamed the sis ters, in chorus. aa5si5, }s @esgsa 7xassIggs ne made me promise netso, fepiied George with grin, " SO you mustn' t say . word abou it. You remember the row last night ?''isaF
 {" Yes" cried the group in one breath. "Yes go on!'
 aWell," said George, !" you see, Jenkins haa retired without locking his door, aud had spreat his wedding suit.ready to put on him in the mor ming. He says he hadn't been asleep two hour before he heard his door softly open, and saw figure come in. It went to the drawers of tn bureau, and seemed to rummage them, and the tcame forward and, kneeling by chair, began t search the pockets of bis clothes. Jenkins say