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

Bay LOST ON THE ROOF
OF MoLDwARP HALL.
A STORY,
BY GEORGE MACDONALD.

the tapestry and the books. 1t was OF no use at
tempting to look for her-at least said so to myself
for as yet the attraction OF old book was equal to
that of a young girl. Besides, always enjoyed
waiting-up to a certain point. Therefore | re-
sumed my place on the floor, with the Seven Cham
pioDs in one hand and my chamber-candlestck in
the other.
1 had for the moment forgotten clara in the
adventures Of St Andrew OF Scotland, when the
silking OF her frock aronsed me. Sne was at my
side.
"well, you've had your dinner Did she give you
any dessert?"
This is my dessert, said, holding up the book
"It's far more than"
Far more than your desert she pursued 'if you
prefer it to me-"
81 looked for you drst,"I SAID defcnsyely.
"Where?"
''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
dessert for you-f you're as fond OF apples as most
boys" she added, taking a small rosy-cheeked
beauty from her pocket.
accepted iJ, but somehow did not quite relish
being Jumped with boys In that fashion. As ate
it, which should have felt bound to do even had it
been less acceptable in itself, she resumed
wouldn't you Ike to see the company arrive?
That's what came for. 1 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 shau't go near
them. know every corner OF the place-a good
deal better than Mrs. Wilson. Come along WilfrId
that's your name, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. Am to call you Clara?"
"Yes, If you are good-that is, you like. | don't
care what you call me. Come along"
followed great clang of the bell in the paved
court fell upon our ears.
'Dont you hear the music?" she said, half iudig.
nsntly.
81 hear 1t now" answered
'Come along" she interrupted, eagerly. ave
shall just be In time to them go across from the
drawiDg-foom to the ballroom. Come, ceme
Leave your candle"
put down my book with some reluctance She
led me into the armory, and from the armory out on
the gallery half encompassng the great hail. which
was lighted up, and full OF servants Opening another
door in the gallery, she conducted me down q stair
which led almost into the hall. but, ascending again
behind it, landed us In little LOBBY, on one side OF
which was the drawing-room, and on the other the
ballroom, on another level reached by few high
semicircular steps.
"Quick quick" said Clara and turning sharply
round, she opened another door, disclosing a
square-built stone staircase. She pushed the
door carefully against the wall ran up
a few steps, l following in some trepi-
dation, turned abruptly aad sat down. did as she
did, questioning nothing: had committed myself
to her superior knowledge.
In a few minutes thereafter the door OF the draw
pany, to the number of over a hundred and fifty, 1
should guess, walked past the foot OF the stair on
which we were seated and ascended the steps into
the ballroom. The lobby dimly lighted, except
from the two open doors, and there little dan
ger OF our being seen.
Last OF all came Lady Brotherton, Sir Giles's Wife
PALE delicate-looking woman, leaning on the arm
OF tall, long gnecked, would stately, yet nsign-
hcant-leokiDg man. She gave shlver as up the
steps from the warm drawing-room she came at
once opposite our open door,
''What draught there is here !" she said, adjust
ing her rosecolored scarf about her shoulders. SIT
feels quite wintry win you oblge me, Mr.. Mollet
by shutting that door? Sir Giles will not allow me
to have it built up. am there are plenty OF
ways to the leads besides that"
''This door, my lady?" asked Mr. Mollet. trem-
bled lest he should see us.
''Yes. Just throw it to. There's sprlnk lock on
1t. / can't think ="
The slam and echoing bang of the closing door
cut Off the end OF the sentence. Even Clara was
little frightened, for her hand stole into mine for
moment before she burst out laughing.
"Hush hush! said. "They will hear you"
81 almost wish they would" she said. "What a
goose was to be frightened, and not speak! DO
you know where we are?"
''No," / answered; show should 1? Where are
WEI"
terly by this time. All my mental charts OF 1t had
got thoroughly confused, and / do not believe
could have even found my way back to the library.
''Shut out on the leads" she answered. "Come
along. We may as wei go to meet our fate"
confess to little papitaton OF the heart as she
spoke for was not yet old enough to feel that
Cara's companionshp made the doom q light one.
Up the stair we went-here twisting corkscrew,
but broad flight enough, with square turnings. At
the top wasIa door, fastened only with bolt inside
against no worse housebreakers than the winds and
rains. When we emerged, We found ourselves in
the open night
"Here we are in the moons draWingroOm !" said
Clara.
The scene was lovely. The sky was all now-the
earth only background pedestal for the heavens.
The river, far below shone he and there in
swer to the moon, while the meadows and fields lay
as in the oblivion OF sleep, and the wooded hills
were only dark formess masses. But the sky was
the dwelling place OF the moon, before whose radi-
ance penetratngly still, the stars shrunk they
would hide in the nowing skirts OF her garments.
There was scarce cloud to be seen and the white.
ness OF the moon made the blue thin. could
| hardly believe in what / saw. 1t was as If had
| come awake without getting out of the dream.
We were on the roof OF the ballroom. We
| felt the rythmic motion OF the dancing feet
| hake thee building in time to the music. "a
| low melodious thunder buried beneath-aboye, the
| eternal silence OF the white moon!
We passed to the roof OF the drawing room. From
| IT, upon one side, we could peep into the great
gothic window OF the hall which rose high above it,
| We could see the servants passing and repassing
with dishes for the supper which was being laid
in the dining room under the drawing-room, for the
hall was never used for entertainment now, except
on such great occasions as a coming OF age, or an
election feast, when all classes met.
''We mustn't stop here" said Clara. ''We shall get
our deaths OF cold"
sfWhat shall we do then?" asked.