Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-02-17

But refuse to be made happy anG
comfortable at your expense. IfMadamt
Belgrave had wished me to share hel
property, she would have left some
document expressing the desire"
Perhaps there is will that has moi
come to light" said 1, laughingly.
He gave quick start. and changed
co'or.
81 can't help thinking so, but is de.
lusive hope, fear"
"You are entirely too anxious to con.
sign me to obscurity and school keep.
ing again"
mo, you should never go back to
that drudgery, if
He stopped suddenly, hesitated 9
moment, then held out his hand.
Really, l feel like an intruder here,
Miss Lane. I'd better say good morning
and leave you, before 1 am betrayed
into any further folly"
He turned abruptly away. "Did You
know there was ghost of Roundwood p
l called after him.
'No," looking back.
'.They say Madame Belgrave-a sure
indication that she is displeased with
something-probably the unjust dis
position she made of her wealth."
An expression L utter failed to COM
prehend foated over his expressive
face.
"You have no occasion to be troubled
on that score" he answered, and went
his way.
watched him until the windings OF
the road hid his tall, stalwart figure
entirely from view, and then returned
to the house in a reflective mood.
'Aunt Jerusha," said 1. abruptly, 81
am going to sleep in the haunted room
to night"
She stared at me utterly aghast.
'You foolish child, you would never
dare"
''Have the room thoroughly aired
in the brusque, decided tone of one
who does not wish to enter into any
argument. 81 shall occupy the apart
ment tonight, so the least said about
the matter the better"
Occupy it / did-at least for a season
taking up the line of march about
eleven o'clock.
Aunt Jerusha followed me to the door
and there said good-by, with face as
solemn and tone as lugubrious as
though L were about to be hung.
Scream if you are frightened,
Madelon, and we will all hasten to your
assistance. l hope you won't be a
raving maniac in the morning. I've
heard of such things"
'Td rather be crazy than a fool, was
my impatient reioinder.
Madame Belgrave's room-ss We
called twas large chamber on the
second floor. The furniture was quaint
and old fashioned, of some dark foreign
wood, with immense carved feet that
looked very odd and ridiculous to my
new fashioned eyes. The,walls were of
oak, thickly paneled, and over the
carved chimney piece was a raised figure
typical Heaven only knows of what
with diminutive shield extended in
one hand.
had barely glanced round at my
quarters when something fitted past
my head with a whizzing sound, and
lighted in the middle of the shield. A
quick, half frightened glance at the OBJ
ject in question brought a smile to my
lips. 1t was bat.
Now / had always a great antipathy
to these vampire like creatures so
catching up the poker from the fender,
| aimed a deadly blow at the intruder.
The bat escaped unhurt through the
open window, being too quick for me !;
but the poker descended with considera-
BILE force on tie spot where he should
have been. The same instant L heard
sharp, clicking noise, and the shield
slid away, revealing TO my astonished
gaze a small chamber constructed in
the massive chimney.
In this novel hiding place lay pile
of papers. Trembling a good deal, /
caught up the topmost one and hastily
examined it by the aid of the Pickering
candle. Instantly 1 knew that my
startled conjecture was shrewd one,
and that now held in nv hand Madame
Belgrave's true and last will and tests-
ment, and Lawrence Belgrave, not l,
vas the rightful owner of Roundwood !
1t was scarcely pleasant discovery
to make. Thoroughly bewildered, l
dropped into one of the quaint easy
chairs, trying hard to command my
wandering senses sufficiently to realize
it in all its bearings. My candle
sputtered and went out, presently, but
[ still sal there quite oblivious to the
fact, thinking only of my loneliness and
the treadmill of poverty to which L
must return. at last L was aroused by
rustling sound, and muffied step on
the balcony without. With a sudden
thrill of horror / beheld dark figure
rise up before the window, and slide
noiselessly over the sill. The next In
slant dark lantern flashed its light
over the room. / started to my feet with
a shrek of uncomfortable terror in an
attempt to rush to the door, my limbs
failed utterly, and L crouched pale and
painting against the wall.
Miss Lane you here !" said voice;
and the man put down the lantern and
came toward me. 81 beg thousand
pardons for giving you such start. "
1t was Lawrence. / rose up again,
thoroughly ashamed of myself for
having manifested such extreme terror.
"My emotion was excusable," said l
with all the old sauciness, for L bad
grown bold as lion again, now there
was no real horror to confront. Il did
not expect to see You at Roundwood to-
night-hence my surprise"
"The fact is" he replied, manifest
ing considerable confusion, 81 have
come here every night for two weeks
back, hunting for Madame Belgrave's
will. Lawyer Green has told me she
destroyed it afterward as it has not
come to light. 1 hold to different
opinion. The will was in my favor as
you must readily guess, and L believe
it is hidden in some place which
Madame was prevented from disclosing
by the awful suddenness of her death. !"
"Thenyou werethe ghost ?" Igasped.
81 suppose must have been.
"Well, it is laid forever. You have
no further need to haunt thisapartment.
Here is the missing document for which
you have been searching tomorrow 1
will abdicate as gracefully as possible,
and Richard shall have his own again.