Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-12-21

'Hushn l whispered, passing near
her to hang a rufde on the bars, a. the
same time glancipg significantly at the
stroller.
She understood me and said nc r, ore.
By-and-by the man finished his lunch,
and got up to go, thanking US very
civilly for the food. Though very well
accustomed to such callers, I must say
that was glad when he had gone
what wicked looking man. said
Ellen, as he disappeared down the lane
Il declare l was quite frightened at
having him sit so near ME, even.'
DO you suppose be heard what I said
about the silver p asked Jane rather
anxiously.
He did not seem to- I said. But
never mind there is no harm done
even though he did notice your re-
marks
My father and mother started fer the
wedding about ten o'clock, and ! was
left alone with the two servants for tie
remainder of the day. However, I
never thought of being .JIosoL,e. It
was bright cheerful day, an,, - ..a5
busy and happy, finishing Lecture .aat
| had begun to paint This l-7G l2a
employed, anC SO 7 had 20 ti7cs 70 i4i,
of or long for company.
The day passed rapi ~ ough at
twilight | went down into the kitchen
to ask Jane to ta'c ~; v,.h e,
The work was nearly done =, III tic:
Ellen thought she could flush i diona
in few minutes, and was glad to give
Jane a chance to go. as we rosscd
out, Tray the house dog, arose to fo,-
low us, but | sent hiD back.
ooh, you naughty dog Yos nust
not run away ard leave 1[.e2. Go
back this instant, sir
He dropped his head, IS :, aalf
ASHAMED, and SUNK bacL 10 the
kitchen, while we went on doCG :hc
path winding through the orchard, and
over the pastures to TIC woods.
It was beautiful cTenirC, and The
fields we're deliciously cool a4d fl4sraos.
1t seemed very pleasant to be cut there
listening to the birds, and smelling the
flowers, after cur confinement il TIE
house all day and thiuA We both en-
joyed it. At any rate, we had .j;,-3
ramble before we turoed IL rcIr4ce OFF
steps.
The house looked strangely dark cnd
lonely as we approached II. It vas
large, red brick building, rather 1!oor ?
and old, with wings runui-r o. I'ght
and left, the out buildings separated
from the eastern wing by Lign hedge.
There were two entrances, the f-cli ana
back were the first leading dow the
lane towards the highway, and the other,
which opened into the kitchen, looking
towards the forest from whence we had
come.
I wonder what ms become of g2y!
| said, missing bis usual rc;3y bark of
welcome, and shivoripg in the strange
silence that rested upon the place,
wishing in my heart thu he would run
to meet US.
Perhaps Ellen has charmed him in
to quiet, returned Jare, with Z. lGu.Ih.
Il wonder that she does got light the
lamps though
The kitchen door stood eighty ajar,
but there was no sound Of any lind
about the place, except the lew tw.>tor
Of the swallows under the caves Of the
granary close at hand. [ Do not think
that l felt any fear, hut . Geld sh4lder
ran all over me, as VIC stood ID tie
shadow Of the hedge row aud noticed
the wondrous hush that hati. fallen upon
the place-juat such peculiar silence
that always fingers about some lonely
graveyard.
We slowly approached the house.
Some marks in the path before NE eui-
denly attracted my attention, ald |
stopped to examine them more closely,
and saw that they were suears OF
blood !!
'See' cried, catching James arm
convulsively. What can be the mean-
ing of this p
Il don't know, she returned slowly
1t may be some game that Tray has
caught, and brought here
We looked at the stains more carefully,
and saw that there was L trail O. Blood
leading to thicket OF roses "ro1i1g
near the house. | followed it, hot and
painting, dragging Jane after me. Il
was as | had expected. The dog Was
lying there dead, and covered with bis
own blood !
We looked into each others faces,
an awful fear in both our eyes. Jane
was the first to speak.
What does it mean = she asked,
growing very white and scared. These
must be some trouble, for none Of US
could have killed poor old Tray. Let
Us 60 in and find Ellen
Il am sure we both shrank fr5m en-.
tering that silent house, but y, could
not think of running away when h!'en
was there, and perhaps in need of cur
presence and assistance. The IDEA
uppermost in both our nit Is seemed 20
be the necessity of finding her - quick
ly as possible.
We pushed the door opep, hesit ting
ly, and went in, calling softly for Ellen,
but no one replied. The room WIS
dark, and silent as the grave Jane
crossed the floor and took a candle and
matches from the shelf over the mantel,
hastily striking the light.
%, where is Ellen ? I cried, anx-