The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17
She stared at me utterly aghast.


Have the room thoroughly aired and
made comfortable" l interrupted, in the
brusque, decided tone of one who does not
wish to enter into any argument. ~ shall
occupy the apartment 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
aud there said good-by, with face as
solemn and tone as lugubrious as though
| were about to be hung.
"Scream fyou are frightened, Madelon,
and we viii all hasten to your assistance.
! hope you won't be raving maniac in
the morning, I've heard of such things"
"I'd rather be crazy than fool" was
my impatient rejoinder.
Madame Belgrave's room--as 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 fgure-typical Heaven only knows
of what-with diminutiye shield extend
ed in one hand.
had barely glanced round at my
quarters when something fitted past my
head with whizzing sound, and lighted
in the middle of the shield. A quick,
half frightened glance at the object in
question brought smile to my lips. 1t
was bat
Now l had always great antipathy to
these vampire.like creatures; so catching
up the poker from the fender, aimed
deadly blow at the intruder.
The bat escaped unhurt through the
open window, being too quick for me; but
the poker descended with considerable
force on the spot where he should have
been. The same instant | heard sharp,
clicking noise, and the shield slid away,
revealing TO my astouished gaze small
chamber constructed in the massive chin
ney.
In this novel hiding place lay pile of
papers. Trembling good deal, caught
up the topmost one and hastily examined
it by the aid Of the Pickering candle
Instantly | knew that my startled conjec-
ture was shrewed one, and that | now
held in my hand Madame Belgraves true
and last will and testament, and Lawrence
Belgrave, not |, was the rightful owner of
Roundwood
1t was scarcely pleasant discovery to
make. Thoroughly bewildered, 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, present
ly, but still sat there quite oblivious to
the fact, thinking only of my loneliness
and the treadmill of poverty to which /
must return. At last was aroused by a
rustling sound, and mufiied step on the
balcony without. With sudden thrill Of
horror beheld a dark figure rise up before
the window, and slide noiselessly over the
sill The next instant a dark lantern
flashed its light over the room. | started
to my feet with shrek Of uncomfortable
terror; in on attempt to rash to the door,
my limbs failed utterly, and crouched
pale and painting against the wall.
Miss Lane you here p said voice !;
aud the man put down the lantern and
came toward me. II beg thousand
pardons for giving you such start"
II was Lawrence. l rose up again,
thoroughly ashamed of myself for having
manifested such extreme terror
"My emotion was excusable," said
with all the old sauciness. for had grown
bold as lion again, now there was no real
horror to confront. II did not expect to
see you at Roundwood to- -night--hence my
surprise
The fact is" he replied, manifesting
considerable confusion, II have come here
every night for two weeks back, hunting
for Madame Belgrave's will. Lawyer
Green has told me she made one, about
six months since He thinks she destroy
ed it aftcrward as it has not come to light.
| hold to different opinion. The will
was in my favor as you must readily guess,
and believe it is hidden in some place
which Madame was prevented from dis
closing by the awful suddenncss of her
death"
"Then you were the ghostH" gasped.
81 suppose | must have been"
"Welf, It is laid forever. You have no
further need to haunt this apartment Here
is the missing document for which you
have been searching; tomorrow will alb.
dictate as gracefully as possible, and Rich
ard shall have his own again.
And while he stood staring at me, us if
quite dumbfouuded, l pushed the win into
his hand, and made second effort to gain
the door,
This time il was Lawrence who detained
me, forcibly.
Don't go, Madelon,p he whispered, his
arm gathering me close to his side "Now
can speak my mind freely. I'll not be
master here unless you consent to be mis-
tress, for Hove you too dearly. What
say you?'
will not repeat my answer But II
aunt Jerusha had hurried to my rescue
/ L. n