Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-01-09

Caroline stole into the hall. The whole
house seemed intensely quiet. She glidei
noiseiesSly down to the head of the basement
stairs. As she stood there listening the clock
above struck twelve. She heard the cock
yaWn and shuttle heavily across the kitchen.
Caroline retrea ted to the dining room. and
presently the woman passed on the wav to
her attic chamber, leaving all dark and silent
below. In ten minutes more thu listener
heard the sound OF her heavy snoring AMI
still no ring at the door.
They're belated." muttered Caroline tTi-
umphantly. "Here'S pretty pickle for Miss
that window
Determining TO make sure, Caroline groped
her way hurriedly through the kitchen, and
along passage-way into the rear kitchen.
which was not much used in winter. III ere
she struck match and hastily glanced
around. The single window in the room was
opposite the door by which she had entered.
The nail that usually was inserted above the
sash had been Withdrawn, and Caroline found
that the window would lift easily. wicked
idea came into her head as she stood hesitat-
ing in Semi-darkness, in mOmentary cxpec-
tation of hearing a ring above. Why not re-
place the nail and let IL pass for the cooks
doing? The window ought never To be left
ticed that 1T was Besides, Alice would
never dare to ask questions. And what would
she do, left outside with Mr.. EyartS? And
what would he think of q lady placed in such
predicament? Surely the fates favored
Caroline.
But a nail! where should sh find a nailo
a
brcathless hurry, but nothing offered except
fork, and this She could not thrust into the
hole. She had shaken down her curlS AMI
not a hair-pin remained in them. In despair
she was about to run up stairs for one OF ne
aforementioned articles, when the lOng-eX-
peCted ring at the door echoed through the
house and thrilled through her like an cleo
trIc shock. Too Iate-toO late now. The
bafflcd plOtter stamped in impotent anger rs
by the light Of her last match she east one
more glance around. over walls and floor. i'm
fsf
Then sudden exclamation escaped her lips.
and rushing across the room, She by main
strength dragged a heavy table that was
standing a few yards to the right of the win
dow. beneath 1t. Never needing the sharp
succession OF rings that went on sounding
above, she tOiled and tugged at this table un-
til it stood Squarely across the window: then
she laughed 10 herself as She stood there in
the dark, listening To the echoes of the last
ring. y laugh easily explained. for upon that
table the cook had placed the days baking,
consisting OF ten pies and two loaveS of bread.
She dared rot stay longer To eXult or to
speculate, for the ring had ceased NOM entity.
II recommended as she fled like a spiri up
stairs. but had stopped before she had thrown
OFF her clothes and sprang into bed. still quiv-
eTing with excitement.
If Caroline's wish had been granted. and
she could have seen through walls and doors.
she would just then have behcld a lady and
gentleman standing undoubtedly on the upper
stone step of the flight that led 10 the house,
W I',lit, eoachman' swearing under his
pulls at the bell.
Don't trouble yourself to ring any more
pray don't" said the lady. 1t is very Singu-
lar-the cook must have fallen asleep, think,
and"
"Then we must ring until we wake her,
mustn't We? rtjoined the gentleman. bTiSlly.
Let me wrap your cloak around You, it is
such a cold night. Don't be alarmed; some
one must be walked presently"
'.Oh. don't mind the cold said the LADY,
half crying, 'Ebut I'm sure it's not the least
!
line IS so tired out. And the man DOESN'T
sleep in the house"
The cOachman muttered quite audibly that
''if he didn't wake 'em with this here ringing
ned defy the angel Gabriel To do IL at tn
last day.. and was preparing for another as
sault, when the gentleman inteTferel.
There is something strange about this.
surely. Go around to- the rear of the house,
James. and see if there is any light"
''Oh no. I'm certain there isn't, and yOu
mustn't wait moment longer I'm only
sorry you've had so much trouble already /
can get in. think. There's back-kitchen
window that doesn't faSten. and l can
chamber in there. It's lucky remembered
it," And Alice began 10 descend the steps in
feyeriSh haste, while her puzzled cavalier re
mOnstratcd
Wait. Miss Wylie. pray wait. is i'm
possible that we should fail 10 rouse some
carriage again until the door is opened"
No, no; pray don't do any thing more
about it, / can get in. and I'd rather than
disturb any one insisted Alice, bmrrying
around the side of the house, followed by Mr..
Evarts, who. divided between annoyance and
amusement. scarcely knew what To- say. TIE
cOaclman was Icfg 10 sOliloQuize.
''DiS,prb 'em We'll, that as "a good ouc."
Following the white figure that fluttercI on
befOr" him. MT. EVaTtS came 10 a S'and->till
in patch OF moonlight beside il. Twice Al
ices height above tine pavement there was Il
little, dark. and unpFOmising wintOW. which
her attendant glanced aS in real diSmay.
Miss Alice-I mean Miss Wyiie--he idea
al q
Of it. / really can't LEI you. Til" best plan j,
for me To- drive You 20 the house Of some
friend"
His companion shlv5re3 ~ the sugge stioH,
and only rtiUiHed. ImpiOringly.
''Oh nO--nOt al this hour. How could cx-
pain IL The only thing ! can do Is 20 get in
as quietly as possible. See, Mr.. EVdrtS, there's
something that looks like a hogshead stand
ing in the shadow Of the house. II you'll
draw il up here, think it IL be high enough
Mr.. Evarts looked with pardonabie hesita-
ton from the speaker TO the article indicated,
and commenced another remOnstrance. which
was cut short by the pressure of two be>eech-
ing hands laid on his arm, and by an unmis-
.'Oh. Mr.. Evarts, please, please"
Mr.. Evarts went for the hogshead. i was
infirm. heavy, and coated with slime; but he
laid his aristOcTatic and nicely glOved hands
upon il without delay, and by much cxertion
rolled and pushed IL to the required place.
When il was set upright with final 'heave'
that brought the thick drops of perspiration
cred pause. But Alice said, in matter-of-fact
tones.
Now. if you'll just give me your hand a
moment
You never can get OH that barrel alone;
besides, ii may tip over. Wait a moment; it's
strong enough TO hold us both" and the
speaker spTang lightly upon il, and having
tested its firiEncsS with two or three en-
phatic stamps, reached down both hands to-
Alice, who, encountered by her heavy gar
Inents, had much difficulty in gaining a foot
hold a. his side.
When she was fairly upon the hogshea1
Mr.. EVartS was obliged to encircle her with
his arm 10 prevent her from falling. To con
ceai an odd sensation that tingled through his
veins as her cheek, still wet with tears,
touched his own for moment, he observed,
with half laugh.
This barrel Is hardly large enough 10 waltz
on. Now shall | get in the window AMI help
you up?"
'.Oh no; only let me set my foot on your
hand, and il is DONE said Alice, laughing at
the situation in spite OF her veXatio1.
With one spring she was ON tine window
seat. and gathering her loose drapery to-
gether with one hand, she put out the other To
see if the descent was clear. To her amaze
ment her white-kidded fingers sank into
soft mass of some greasy substance. With
cry Of surprise she recOiled, and her cavalier
inquired from without.
what is IL? What"
Nothing" Alice FASTENED 10 say. feeling
that she would face any thing rather than ask
farther aid from him. Nothing at all. am
II III ssr.l ~ n