Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-07-20
LOST On THE ROOF.
BY GEORGE MACDONALD,
From Scribner's Mouthly.

looked IN, There was nothing behind
but 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
l said 80 to myself, for as yet the at
traction of an old book was equal to
that Of young girl Besides, ] always
eu;Vvcd waiting up to a certain point.
Therefore, / resumed my place on the
floor, with the ''Seven 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 "silkIng' of her
frock aroused me. She was at my
side.
"Woll, you've had your dinner! Did
she give YOU any dessert2'
'This is my dessert, " | said, holding
mp the book. cts far more than
Far more than your desert, she
pursued, ''if you prefer it to me
81 looked for YOU first said defen-
siyey.
"Where2n
"In the closet there.
"You did'n think ! was going TO
wait there, did yGui Wb;, the very
spiders are hanging dead N THEN own
webs in there But ncre'G some des-
sert for You--if you're as fond of APP
pies as most boys, size added, taking
small, rosy-cheeked beauty from her
pocket.
accepted it, but somehow did not
quite relish being Jumped up with
boys in that fashion, As ate it,
which | should have felt bound to do,
even had 1t been less acceptable in it
self, she resumed
Wouldn't you like to sec the COM
pony nrrivei That's what | came for
| wasn't going TO ask Goody Wilson. -
eyes | should | answered, " but
Mrs Wilson told me TO keep here, and
not get in their way"
"Oh, I'll take care of that. We
shm't go near them. know every
corner of the place. good deal better
than Mrs. Wilson. Come along, VIII
fred-that's your nnmc isn't it
eyes, it is. Am Itocall you Clara ~
eyes, il you are good that is, if
you like, Idon't care what You call
me, Come along
| followed. great clang of the bell
III the paved court fell upon our ears.
"Don't YOU hear the musicl -
she said, half Indignantly,
81 hear it now, answered.
"Come along, she interrupted,
eagerly. 1--WE shall just be in time to
see them go across from the drawing
room 10 the ball room, Come, come,
leave your candle"
put down my book with some re-
luctancc, She led me into the amory
ont ON the gallery half encpmpassing
the great hall, which was lighted up
and full of servants, Opening another
door in the gallery, she conducted me
down a stair which led almost into the
hall, bat ascending again behind it,
landed lis in a little lobby, on one side
of which was the drawiugroom, and on
the other the ballroom, on another lev
81, reached 10y high semicirclur steps
Quickly! quickly said Clara, aud
turning sharply round she opened an
other door disclosing square built
stone staircase Size pushed the door
caretullw against the wall, ran up few
steps, ! following IN some trepdation,
turned abruptly au sat down. | did as
she did, questioning nothing; | hnd
committed myself TO her superior
knowledge
In a few minutes thereafter the door
of the drawlugroom opened, when,
pmr after palr the company, to the
To the number NJ over "a hundred and
fifty should guess. walked past the
foot OF the stairs on which we wore
seated, and assembled the steps into the
ballroom The lobby was dimlv LIGHT
ed, eN cpt from the two open doors.
and there was little danger Of our being
seen.
Last of all came Lady Brotberton.
Sir Giles wife, pale, delicate look
ing woman, leaning on the arm OF II
tall long-neched, would-he stately, vet
in ismhcaut looking man She gave
- sAlyor as up the steps from the warm
drawngroom she came at once oppo-
site our open door
"what draft there is here, said
she, adjusting her rose colored scarf
about her shoulders "tt feels Quitt
wintry Wal you ohlise me. MIR Mol
let 10y shutting that doorl Sir GILES
viii not allow nae to have il built
mp. am sure there are plenty
of WAYS 70 the leads beside that
This door, my lady asked Mir
Mollet
l trembled lest IL should sac lis.
" Yes Just throw IL Is There's a
spring lock on it, l can think