Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-08-02


which lead TO rockingham. As l
drew down the blind I noticed that
the night was very dark. | said my
prayers, and in a few minutes was
fast asleep. How long slept | know
not, but | was aroused from deep
dream about home and my father, by
a slight noise. was always light
sleeper. l listened attentively: at
first / could not tell what the noise
was; all at once | seemed to recog-
nize the sound-it was one Miss Den
bigh and | had laughed at a few days
before, the creaking of the drawing
room window as it was slowly opened
my chamber was situated just above
it. | rose and went to the window !;
| opened it quietly and looked out.
All was still. | could see no one.
81 must have fancied the noise," |
said to myself, as l lay down again,
still, however, listening intently; all
was silent and quiet. Ten minutes
afterwards my fears returned with re-
doubled force, for it seemed to me
that | heard one of the chairs in the
drawing-room knocked down. | am
not ashamed to say that | was in a
terrible state of alarm. Kate's room
was at some little distance from mine !;
the servants slept away, and there
was no one near upon whom could
call for aid. All was still again, and
| began to hope that l might have been
mistaken. Let me tell you, that a
noise in the dead of night, in a lone
country house, where you know there
is neither hope nor chance of aid, is
not very pleasant thing to hear
Presently, while every nerve was On
the stretch, I plainly heard a creaking
on the stairs, as though some one was
mounting them carefully.
The blood seemed to rush to nv
head; l felt my tongue cleave to the
roof Of my mouth. A cold, faint
damp stood upon my forehead. !
nearly swooned with fear. The noise
ceased. listened for some time, but
could hear nothing. Then, unable to
bear such nervous, miserable feelings
any longer, rose, slipped on my dress
ing-gown, and lighted my little lamp
Very quietly opened my room door
and peeped out; all was silent as
death. Somewhat emboldened by this
took my lamp and went gently tc
Kate8 door; l raped twice before
she heard me.
"Who is there" she cried at last.
at is only me, Kate" l said. "Let
me in.'' She opened the door and
entered.
"Madelaine," she cried, what ir
the world is the matter? What dc
you want? ?"
a hope there is nothing the matter,
| replied "but have been dreadfully
frightened. l dare not stay in my
own room, so | am come here to beg
shelter for the rest of the night"
"Poor little nervous child!' sale
Kate, as she fastened the door and ex
tinguished the light. "Yes, stay witt
me by all means. What was it tina
frightened you?"
Il thought heard some one opel
the drawing-room window and theI
walk up stairs" replied.
"Madelaine," said Kate, seriously
YET half asleep the while, "you are {
perfect goose"
1t was the second time Kate haC
made that remark, and l began Il
, think it must be true.
l lay awake some time, but all wa
perfectly still; there was not a sount
or stir. Gradually forgot my panic
the trembling of my limbs and tn
=, beating of my heart subsided. NJ
, thoughts fell again upon my father an,
home, when 1 heard, cautiously an,
slowly the handle of the door turned
/ once, twice, thrice; then all wa
still. was spell-bound for some mo
: ments; my fear amounted to agony
At last | touched Kate gently. Sh
/, stirred uneasily, but did not awake.
, @Kate," l whispered, again, "wak,
t up; there is some one in the house.
"What is the matter" she said
. starting.
"Hush, darling p l whispered agair
= "there is some one in the house."
"Oh, Madelaine," she groaneC
] what o complete and unutterabl
plague you arel 1t is all nonsense
5 you have been dreaming again"
e "Indeed | have not. l. Bu
she interrupted me impatiently, "Wha
: did you hear this time ?"
t "Some one turned the handle of ou
door," said, ~ heard it plainly tw
" or three times"
b Ridiculous p said Kate; but "a
me) the word died on her lips, for W
e heard sudden piercing scream and
c door bang.
}, "You are right, | declare, Madelain
t. after all. This is pleasant,-no on
to help usl Well, We must depen
upon our own wits, that is ALL" sal
Kate; and she rose and began I
dress.
@Kate," l cried, "shall we all
y murdered ?"
IS "No, my DEAR" said Kate. "Th
+ worst that can happen is that poe
y Mr.. Denbigh will lose his family plat
: and whatever money there is in tt
y house, and Miss Denbigh her jewels
e but if can prevent it, nothing sha
z be lost at ALL"
a "What are you going to do Kate
l. l asked, shaking with terror.
r "Stay here very quietly" she sal
Is "while l go to Mr.. Denbigh's room
:, know he keeps Loaded pistols ther
) When have found them l will CON
back here. Do not stir for your lif
Madelaine. 1 will take care no on
IL hears me-"
'r "What shall you do with them
l cried clinging to her. ooh, Kat
le let US run away"
g "And leave that helpless old lad
u to be killed, perhaps" said Kate
y "No, that will never do. Now Ma
r elaine, my darling, try not to troub
v 80; lie down until l come back"
Oh, the agony of terror l suffere
e. while Kate was gonel / only wo
e. der that the morning sun did n,
IN find my hair turned gray. coul
re | diatinctlz haan noico ooinn a.