Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-09-27
ALEXANDRIA, PARISH OF RAPIDEs La Ib77 ~ 81 Jora

superstition respecting opals-that they
are unlucky stones, bringing misfortune
to those who wear them. Costly though
the jewel was, I should scarcely have
liked so ominous love token.
We were aroused from our reverie by
the sound Of clock striking twelve.
Lady Jane started.
''How late it isl" she exclaimed. 81
suppose every one has gone to bed.
told Lisette not to sit up for me. Yes"
she continued, looking out into the corri-
dor, the place is quite dark, and they
have forgotten to bring candle for me.
Let me go with you to your room, Miss
Wacie; you can light those on your toilet
table and give me that one."
As we passed the Blue Chamber, we saw
the freight cleaning through the partly
open door.
"Sir Hugh must be in the smoking
room with papa" said my companion /;
S. he is sure not to disturb us, so come
and look at Countess Gabrielle's por-
trait"
She entered, drawing me in with her !;
and taking the candle from my hand, held
it so that the light fell full on the painting,
which hung above the mantel-piece, and
certainly merited a more honorable place
than that seldom-used apartment. The
poor Countess must have been very love-
ly; but what struck me most forcibly
was the likeness between her pictured face
and the uplifted face of Lady Jane. Both
had the exquisite Greek contour, the blue
eyes, and shadowy hair; but with these
the resemblance ceased, for the living
beauty's marble-white cheeks and some
what hon Uh u n W for ,ad Ha1
contrast to the peach-like bloom and win
some smile of the Inflated Gabrielle.
Our progress seemed destined to inter-
ruptiOn. When we reached the door of
the haunted staircase Lady Jane stopped
and opened it.
You give no credence to ghost stories,
Miss Wacie," she said; "yet think you
would hardly go alone as far as that
landing, even though 1 waited for you
here"
Coward that was, feared her ridicule.
l ran quickly up the steps, and had just
reached the landing, when the light dis
appeared from below, the door was shut
violently, and heard Lady James mock
ing laugh as she sped away, leaving me
in darkness and terror. For a moment |
stood trembling, irresolute, waiting as it
were for some dreadful vision; then |
rushed down, flung myself against the
door, managed-I know not how-to un-
fasten it, and flew to my own room, a
very haven of safety. Its air of snugness,
the cosy fire on its hearth, were reassur-
ing and ere long was able to laugh at
my foolish fears and her ladyship's some-
what ill-natured trick. l hastened to get
into bed-frst, as was my habit, drawing
back the window curtains-and, being
very tired, soon fell asleep.
l woke with weight of horror upon
me-woke and started up. The moon
was shining into nv room, and before me,
where its light fell clearest, stood-what
was it? A white-robed figure, with long
dark hair flowing about it like veil, with
weird, bright eyes, with something upon
its breast that sparkled in the moonbeams.
1t moved, came nearer and nearer; came
quite close; touched me with a soft, cold
touch; and then saw that it was Lady
Jane. Only Lady Jane but how could
any visitant from a mysterious other
world have been more terrible than that
living, breathing creature, with whom l
had talked familiarity little while be-
fore?
An utter pOwerlessness came over me.
tried to scream, to speak, to whisper. L
tried to shrink away from her, but in
vain; Though she had long, sharp knife,
and that, and her dress and her hands
yes, the very hand that touched me-were
stained with the awful stain of blood.
At length she spoke in a low, monoto-
nous voice
'Come with me. You are not afraid
you told me you were not afraid. and l
want your help"
could not ask ''for what ?' And she
continued
81 have avenged herl She will never
wander in the cold any more, wailing and
beseeching. 1t is life for life; and now
she will rest, after all these weary years.
But come, the moon is going down, and
there must be light for what we have to
do"
1 rose mechanically and stood beside
her then she closed round nay wrist a
grasp like ice and iron and led me-
whittier? Along the dim corridor, past
the haunted staircase, to the Blue Cham
Der.
ror, or fled from it with cries and lamenta-
tons. AT it was, gazed silently before
me, where upon the quaintly-carved bed
lay Sir Hugh Shafto, dead-stabbed to
the heart by her whom he had loved best
in all the world turned and looked at
her, and seeing her smile of mocking
triumph, knew the truth-Lady Jane was
mad. She released my hand, fiinging it
from her impatiently, and signed that 1
should aid her. Taking the rich, silken
coverlet, she spread it on the floor. Then
we raised him-that passive thing 80 lately
full of life and health-and laid him on it,
she folding it over him, ard covering the
quiet face. She had the strength Of in
sanity; and as for me, seemed incapa-
BILE Of feeling either pain or fatigue. We
lifted our dread burden, and re-entered
the corridor, our footsteps falling noise
lessly on the soft. thick carpet How
still the house wasl A clock somewhere
uttered its measured tick, tick and be-
tween the sounds there seemed ages of
agony. Oh, if those sleepers by whose
rooms we were passing could only know!
Oh, that they would awake, that a door
would open, that anything would hap
pen to save me from that fearful dead
presence, and from the living presence
more fearful thousandfold! Iendeav-
ored to recall instances of which had
heard or read, when ready wis and pres
enca of mind had defeated lunatic cum