The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-07-22
LOST On THE ROOF.
BY GEORGE MACDONALD,
From Scribner's Mouthly.

looked in, There was nothing behind
but a closet almost filled with books,
not upon shelves, but heaped up from
floor to ceiling. There had been Just
room and no more for Clara to stand
between the tapestry and the books.
1t was of no use to look for her at least
[ said so to myself, for as yet the at
Traction Of an old boob w1o equal to
that of young girl. Besides, L always
enjoyed waiting up to Il certain point.
Therefore, | resumed my place on the
floor, with the "Seyen Companions" in
one hand and my chamber candlestick
in the other
[ had for the moment forgotten
Clara in the adventure of St Andrew
of Scotland, when the ''silklng" of her
frock aroused me. She was at my
side
"WeD, you've had your dinner Did
she give you any dessert 2"
This is my dessert, | said, holding
up the book. SIt's far more than
Far more than your DESERT" she
pursued, eff you prefer it to me-"
II looked for you first, / said defen-
sively.
"Where?n
g In the closet there
''You didn't think | was going to
wait there, did you? Why, the very
spiders are hanging dead in their own
webs In there. But here's some des-
sert for you-if you're as fond of ap-
pies as most boys she added, taking
small, rosy-cheeked beauty from her
pocket
| accepted it, but somehow did not
quite relish being Jumped up with
boys i'll that fashion As l ate it,
which L should have felt bound to do.
even had 1T been less acceptable in it
self, she resumed:
Wouldn't you like to see the com
pany arrive? That's what / came for.
| wasn't going to ask Goody Wilson. ;"
''Yes, | should, > [ answered, "but
Mrs. Wilson told me to keep here, and
not get in their way
''Oh, Ell take care of that We
shan't go near them. know every
corner of the place-a good deal better
than Mrs. Wilson. Come along, vii
fred that's your name, isn't it?5'
Yes, it is. Am [ to call You Clara"
Yes, IT You are gOod--tbat is, if
you like. don't care what you call
NE. Come along"
| followed. A great clang of the bell
il the paved court fell upon our ears.
Don't you hear the music?"
she said, half Indignantly.
Il hear it now, | answered.
Come along" she interrupted,
eagerly. we shall just be in time to
see them go across from the drawing
room to the bali room. Come, come,
leave your candle"
put down my book with some re
luctance. She led me into the armory
out on the gallery half encompassing
the great hall, which was lighted up
and full of servants Opening another
door III the gallery, she conducted me
down a stair which led almost into the
hall, but, ascending again behind it.
landed us IN a little lobby, on one side
of which was the drawingroom, and on
the other the ballroom, on another lev
Ell, reached by high semicircIar steps
Quickly quickly " said Clara. and
turning sharply round she opened an
other door, disclosing q square built
stone staircase. She pushed the door
carefullw against the wall, ran up few
steps, following III some trepidation
turned abruptly an sat down. [ did as
she did, questioning nothing; | had
committed myself to her superior
knowledge.
lu few minutes thereafter the door
of the drawlngroom opened: when.
PAIR after pair, the company, to the
to the number of over q hundred and
fifty, should guess, walked past the
foot of the stairs on which we were
seated, and assembled the steps into the
ballroom The lobby was dimlv light
ed, except from the two open doors,
and there was little danger of our being
seen.
Last of all came Lady Brotherton,
Sir Giles wife, a pale, delicate look
ing woman, leaning on the arm of a
tall long-necked, would be-stately, yet
mslgnlticant looking man. She gave
shlVer as up the steps from the warm
drawlngroom she came at once oppo-
site our open door
''what draft there Is here said
she, adjusting her rose colored scarf
about her shoulders. at feels quite
wlntry. Will you oblige me, Mr. Mol
let, by shutting that door? Sir Giles
VIII not allow me to have it built
up. | am sure there are plenty
OF ways to the leads beside that. "
This door, my LADY," asked Mr.
Mollet
| trembled lest he should see us.
: Yes. Just throw it to- There's a
spring lock on it. L can't think"
The slam and echoing bang of the
closing door cut Off the end of the sen
tence. Even Clara was a little fright
ened, for her hand stole into mine for
moment before she burst out laugh
ing.
g Hush hush!"I said. They
will hear YOU"
s. almost wish they would she
said. What goose / was to be
frightened and not speak. Do YOU
know where we are
"No" ] answered How should
LIZ Where are we
My fancy of knowing the place had
vanished by this time. All my mental
charts of it had got thoroughly confus
ed, and | do not believe | could have
even found my way back to the library
''Shut out the leads she answered.
"Come along. We may as well go
and meet our late >
/ confess to little palpitation of the
heart as she spoke, for | was not vet
old enough to feel that Clara S compan-
ionship made the doom light one.
Up the stairs we went-here no twist
ing corkscrew, but broad fight
enough, with square turniugs; at the
top was door, fastened only with a
nSt o.