The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-10-16


whom she had not seen for eighteen or 90
! years; but by and by, she satisfied herself
that. though changed, she vas Eliza Stir
ling still. with the same suany smile aud the
same laughing eyes that had made every
one love her 10 their school days. Heart
felt indeed were the greetings which fol.
loved, and cordial the welcome Mrs An
tbsrtou gave her old friend as she congratu-
lated herself on having dear Ellen under her
own roof: more especially as she owed this
\ good fortune to Mr. Athertoa's q exertions in
rescuing her.
at 10 the merest chance, too. tbs; he is
It home at present." she said q he ought
to have baen in Scotland, bat the state of
the roads in this bleak country has kept him
prisoner here for weeks"
| "And others IS WE'LL" Ellen Middleton
added {" but both children aud grown peo-
pie are only too thankful to have so good an
excuse for staying longee st BelGeld." And
then laughing. size asked Aunt Mary how
she meant to dispose Of Miss Stirling for
the night, for the house was as full already
as it could hold.
oh" said her aunt, eve shalt mausge
very we'll. Bel6eld is very elastic
| She smiled as she spoke but il struck
Miss Stirling that the question was, never
theless. pushing one. SO she took the first
opportunity Of eatreating her to take no
trouble on her account a chair by the fire
was really all the accommodsnon she cared
for, As she wished to be in readiness to pur
sue her journey as soon As the coach could
proceed.
1--WE shall be able to do better for you
thaa that. Elisa" Mrs. Antherton answered
IL cannot, it is true, promise
you q state ROOM for every bad in ths
house is full, and know yol will not al
low any one to be moved for your convent.
ence but have one chamber still at your
service which. except in one respect. is com.
Portable enous b."
Haunted, Of course ?" said Miss Sir
ling gaily.
"Oh, no. no. It is not that! had it
fitted up for my brother William when he
used 10 be hero more frequently than Of
late. and it is often occupied by gentlemen
when the house is full but, as i, is dstach-
cd from the house, l have. Of fcoursc, never
asked any lady to sleep there till now"
"Oh il that be all, am quite willing
to become its frst lady tenant said Miss
Stirlius heartily. 50 the matter was sat-
lied. aud orders were given to prepare the
Pavilion for tho unexpected guest.
iancing aud ghost stories made tho hours
ly fast. II was long past ten-the usual
'our Of retiing as Bsl6eld-whea Miss
'tirling. under her hostess's guidance, took
possession Of her outdoor chamber. tire
liy WAS . cheerful little apartment. The
rimson hangings of the bed and window
ooksd warm and comfortable in the fash
ne fre-light; and when the candles on the
mantle. piece were lighted. and tho two easy
chairs drawn close to the hearth, the long
parted friends found it impossible to resist
he temptation OF sitting down TO have, what
IN old days they used to call 1.-two hand
ID chat" There was much to tell Of what
had bofallsn both, Of chequsred scenes Of
Joy and sorrow. deeply inter eresting to those
Two whose youth had been passed together;
there were mutual recollections Of school !
days to be talked over ; mutual friends and
future plans to be discussed; and midnight
rung out from this stable clock before Mrs.
A.herton said good night She had a.
ready crossed the threshold TO go, when she
turned back to say. !" forgot to tell you.
Ellen. that the inside bar Of this door is not
very secure. and that the key only turns
outside. Are you inclined to trust TO ths
bar alone. or will you. as William used to
do, have the door locked outside, and let the
servant bring the key in the morning p
William used to say that he found it rather
IN advantage to do SO. as the unlocking Of |
the door was sure 10 awake him.
Miss Stirling laughingly allowed. that
though. generally, she could not quite
think it an advantage to be locked into her
room, still she had no objection TO it on this
particular occasion, as she wished to rise in
reasonable time.
"Very we'll; then. you had better not
'asten the door ct ALL and will send my
maid with the key at eight precisely. Good |
night"
' Good night"
They parted the door WAS locked out
tide the key taken out and Miss Stirling. |
standing by the window. watched hsr friend (
Gross the arrow black path, which had been
swept clear Of snow TO make a dry passage /
rom the house to the pavilion. A rudy !
light streamed from the hall door ss il open
I'd to admit its mistress, and gave a cheerful |
friendly aspect to the scene but. when the |
door closed and shut out that warm com
fortabls light. the dxrkened porch, the pale
moonlight shimmering on the shrouded
trees. and the stars twinkling in the frosty
ky. had such an aspect Of solitude as to
,sst over her kind Of chill thst made her
half repent having consented to quit the
house st all. and let herself be locked up in
his lonely place.
Yet what had she to fear e? No BARN
could happen to her from within the cham
bar the door WAS safely locked outside,
and strong iron stauncheous guarded the
window; there could b no possible danger.
So drawing her chair once moro to the FIRE.
and stirring il into . brighter bls.e. she took
m a little Bible which lay on tho dressing
liable, aod read some portions of the New ;,
Testament.
When she laid down the book she took
put the comb that fastened up her long,
lark silken tresses-in which. despite her
i've aud thirty years. not silver thread
vas visible and, as she arranged them for
the night. her thoughts s,rayed back to the
old world memories which her meeting With
Mary Athsstoa had revived. The sound Of
the clock bing two was the 6rst thing
that recalled her to her present life. By
thin 1ynn tka o<iln. A~.>>A