The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-18

doubtful oracle
eyes, I've got i'll" she said at length 'Have you
good head Wnfrid 2"
81 don't quite know what yon mean,rI answered.
"Do you MIND being in a narrow place. without
much to hold by9"
"High up9r asked, with shver.
eyes"
For moment did not answer It was a special
weakness OF my physical nature, ono which my ina
gnation had increased tenfold--the absolute hor-
ror had Of such transit as she was evidently
about to propose. Ny worst dreams-from which
would wake with my heart going like flre-enUine,
were OF adventures of the kind. But before q
woman, how could 1 draw back? 1 would rather
lie broken at the bottom OF the wall. Aud II the
fear should come to the worst could at last throw
mytelf down and end 1t so.
'Well?" said, as II had only been waiting for
her exposition OF the case.
b ''Well" she returned-"Come along, then"
did go along-like man to the gsllows; only
would not have turned back to save my life. But
should have hailed the slightest change Of purpose
in her with such pleasure Daniel must have felt
when he found the lions would rather not ca. him.
She retraced her steps long way-until we reached
the middle OF the line OF buildings which divided the
two courts.
''There" she said, pointing to the top OF the
square tower over the entrance to the hall, from
which we had watched the arrival OF the guests; it
rose about nine feet only aOove where we
now stood In the gutter-T know /
left the door open when we came
down. 1 did 1t on purpose. hate Goody Wilson.
Lucky, you see!-that is, If you have q head. And
il you haven't it's all the same: have"
SO saying she pointed to a sort Of flying buttress
which sprung sideways, with a wide span, across
the angle the tower made with the hail, from an
embrasure OF the battlement of the hail. to the
outer corner of the tower, itself more soIdy but
tressed.
Could she mean me to cross that haIr-ke
bridge? The mere thought was a terror. But
would not blench. Fear / confess-cOwardice II
you uwill:-poltroonery, not.
II see" answered. 81 will try. II l fall don't
blame me. will do my best"
"You don't think" she returned, am going to
let you go alone! should have to walt hours
before you found door to let me down-except
indeed you went and told Goody wilson, aud had
rather die where | am. No no. Come along. I'll
show you how"
With rush and scramble, she was up
over the round back OF the buttress before l
had time to understand that she meant as
usual to take the lead. II she could but have sent
me back portion OF hor sk'il, or ghtness,
nerve, or whatever 1t was, just to set of with
rush ike that! But stood preparing at once and
hestatipg. She turned and looked over the battle
ments OF the tower.
"Neyer mind, Wilfrd" she said 'rll fetch you
presently"
"No, no, cried. "Wait for me. I'm coming
l got astride of the buttress, and painfully forced
my way up. 1t was like dream of leap-frog,
prolonged under painfully recurring difficult
ties. shut my eyes, and persuaded
myself that all had to do was to go
on leap-frogeing. AT length, after more trepida-
ton and brain-turning than 1 care to dwell upon
lest even now it should bring back too keen reat-
Zation of itself, reached the battlement sezing
which, with one shaking hand, ard fning the
other grasped by Clare, tumbed on the lea Is OF
the tower.
"Come along!" she said. "You see, when the
girls like, they can beat the boyseven at their own
games. We're all right now"
IL did my best" l returned, nightly relieved.
I'm not an angel, you know. l can't ny like
you"
She seemed to appreciate the compliment.
"Never mind, I've done it before. 1t was game
OF you to follow"
Her praise elated me beyond measure. And 1t
was well.
"Come along" she added.
She seemed to be always saving Come along.
obeyed, full of gratitude and relief. She skipped
to the tiny turret which rose above our heads, and
lifted the dOor-atch. But, instead of disappearing
within, she turned and looked at me in white dis
may. The door was boted. Her look reused
what there was Of manhood in me. felt that, as
it had now come to the last gasp, Ii was mine to
comfort her.
"we are no worse than we were" said. ''Neyer
mind.'
81 don't know that she answered mysterlously.
Can yOu go back as you came? Icant."
looked over the edge OF the battlemeut where
stood. There was the buttress crossing the angle OF
moonlight, with its shadow lying far down on the
wall. i shuddered at the thought OF renewing my
unspeakabl BILE dismay. But what must be must. Be-
sides, Clara had praised me for creeping where she
could fly; now might show her that could creep
where she could not ny.
81 will try" returned ], putting one leg over the
battlement
''Do take care, Wifrid," she CRIED stretching out
her hands, as If to keep me from falling.
sudden pulse of life rushed through me. All
at once became not only bold but ambitious.
''Give me kiss, said. "before CO."
"Eo you make much OF it she returned
stepping back pace. How much a woman-she was
even then! Her words reused something In me
which to this day have not been able quite TO
understand A sense OF wrong had its share in the
feeling, Lut what else can hardly venture to say.
At all events, an inroad OF careless courage was
the consequence. stepped at olce upon the but
tress, and stood for a moment looking at her-no
doubt with reproach. She sprang towards me.
81 beg your pardon" she said.
The end Of the butress was foot or two below
the level OF the leads, where Clara stood. She bent
over the battlement, stopped her face towards me,
andIkissed me on the mouth. My only answer was
to turn and walk down the buttress erect; walk
which, as the arch OF the buttress became
sleeper, ended in run and leap on to the gutter
OF the hall. There 1 turned, and saw her stand
like lady in a ballad leaning after me In the
moonlight / lifted my cap and sped away
not knowing whittier, but fancying that out OF her
sight could make up my mind better. Nor was
mistaken The moment sat down, my brains
began to go about and in another moment saw
what might be attempted.
Iu going from roof to roof, had seen the little
gallery along which had passed with Mrs. Wilson
on my way to the library. 1t crossed what might be