The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-11-03
A pEAnLOCk. AND IT'S KEY.

A DEADLOCK, AND ITS KEY.
a note for gos, ma'am. No answer
was resting in my own room, after
ridmg-it was six o'clock, too early 10
dress for dinner. too late 70 dress twice
alter taking of my habit-slseping over a
book, and comfortable IN my white dress
ing-gown. I was bored BY the Interrupt
ton. The note was no more than this;
"DEAR sunni must stay where
am; and yOn must 90 by yourself 10 the
LesterS-yoa wont mind. saw Jack,
and he said there was no party, rs il would
be troublesome with the wedding to-mor-
row, and the dining-rOom is given up 20
the breakfast. I've sent back the hrough-
am. Thine, FREp.n
Fred is INV brother, and was invited. ike
myself, TO dine quietly with these Testers,
whose pretty daughter was 20 be married
next day 20 a friend OF ours-especially
Fred's and mine-Sir John Marsh, COM
monty called Jack
"What keeps Fred 2" was my passing
thought; then read httle longer, dress
ed, and drove TO Portman square. A
turned the corner, saw visible prepara-
tons and signs Of the morrow's wedding at
the Testers door. A cart with flowers
was unloading; an awning was being put
up over the balcony and hall-door; men
in white aprons came and went. As the
brougham drew up, / could see through
the open door the hustle and stir within.
At home in the house, opened the din
ing-room door, 20 see what progress was
being made with the tables. Several maid
servants and some Of tho confectioner's
men were arranging the ornaments and
flowers: the cake with its conventional
erection stood conspicuous. NY friends
maid was putting moss into the flower has
kets, and decorating the high dishes con-
tanning the mere durable part OF the feast.
"Well Barker | was beginning, when |
caught the woman's eyes. She was doing
her work with a strange gravity, and her
face was full Of horror and pain. When
she saw me, she let fall the flowers in her
hand. Hfr
40 ma'am |! o Miss Sarah you've come"
"0f course, I've eosne,n | answered.
What il the matter2
"YOu hav'nt seen them, na'am, have
you7n
''Seen who 1.-THE ladies No. Icame
straight in here TO look at the tables. Is
there anything wrongl | suppose we're
TO dine in the library for to-day How
rice IL all looks ~
Nice, o ma'am, rs mockery, it's
awful To see it ali, and to 90 on as if
ms f. O Lord p and the wornsn sat
down, and rocked herself 20 and fro, with
the tears running down her face.
uss thoron0bIx- alarmed novv - Par
ker, Is there anything wrongl T. any one
i'll, or dead7 Dent frighten me ike this.
I'll go and see them, if you won't speak
out; - and / went TO the door. just saw
that Barker had descended to the floor,
and that her head was on the chair, which
she clutched, sobbing aloud. M
met the butler and another man cross
ing the hall, both with scared solemn faces,
and went on to the morning room on
the same floor. There, all looked much "A
usual. The pride Of the house and Of my
friends rather valuable collection Of an
tiquities stood facing the door-a huge
cabinet with massive clamped doors, and
richly cut bFasswork elsie rs only genuine
brasswork Of old time can be; cuIiously
inlaid woodwork marvellous locks which
no one but its owner understood, and no
ono else dared NEEDLE with. IL was very
old friend, the great armoirs; playing with
the children Of the house in my own child
hood, knew II, inside and outside by
heart. A mystery and a wonder then
an interest later-always a thing 70 adj
mire and wonder at even now. 4
1t had three doors. The centre ono
about four. feet wide, and certainly six
inches thick, shut in another, which again
enclosed, with a space OF about eight inches
of waste room, set Of six drawers OF diff
ferat sizes, and sort Of cupboard above
them. We used to stand as little chill
dren between the drawers and the inner
door, and wonder, supposing we were shut
i'm, whether we could breath long in that
narrow enclosure, or be heard by any one
without, suppOsing thought we
we're forgotten, or the outer door were
shut. | remember thinking Of il in bed
at night, as nervous children will think Of
such things, till was cold with horror.
Both these two doors shut with N catch
which was not a lock; but we children
were forbidden ever to open or shut them,
except when Mr.. Lester was present. IL
was doubtful If any one else knew how to
open them, for no one ever tried. The
two side doors opened with curious keys,
which stood in the locks. chained to the
armoire. They were valuables in them
selves. The gSeat key of the centre door,
worth hundred pounds or more, was con-
sidercd too sacred for common eyes, and
lay in a velvet-lined case in Mr. Testers
own keeping-brought out only occasion
ally to show TO those who could appreciate
such things.
1t stood there in the summer twilight,
looming darkly in the quiet room, darker
than the rest of the house, an back rooms
in London often are. Chilly it seemed to
me, in my thin white dress, coming from
the hall full Of sunset light. Turning to
leave the room, saw a man lying prone ON
his face upon the sofa; so still, and so
straight, and so strange in his attitude,
that | could only stare for n minute and
wonder whether he was asleep, or dead.
His hands were over his ears, grasping his
hair, ms if in pain and noticed the soles
OF his boots turned quite up, as one notices
triAes in the midst Of alarm or bewilder-
ment The nails in his boots showed that
he was not dressed for dinner. His hat
was lying on the floor on its side. His
face / could not see; but knew it was
Jack March, and | touched his arm in
wonder.
"Jack, are you awake Are you asleep 2
What is it7n ] asked with growing
alarm. Was to find something strange
: ia every room / entered in this house.
aJsck!" | said again. He turned and I
saw his wild haggard face, that looked at
me with vague eyes that seemed not to
see; and then he put his head down with
a moan, and covered his ears once more. AZ
as if to shut out sight and sound. The