Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-24
NO. 279.


the first sound, and we stood breathless
listeners to the rolling wheels and ringing
hoofs. On they came, nearer-nearer,
halting at last at the main entrance.
With one accord we caught up and
lighted the torches lying at hand. and
rushed into the hall Just in time to see the
great door roll open with heavy clang.
and hear the dull tramp of heavy feet and
the soft rustic of silken gowns.
Close beside us the weird unseen COM
pany passed, crossing the hall to the stairs,
and then up step by step. alfparalyzed
| stood gazing into vacancy till Elton's
smothered command aroused me:
Come where they go, go!"
And step by step We followed-up to
the hall above, and then to the next.
Not a word-nothing but that dull. dull
tramp and the silken rustic. 1t was fright
full! Yet on the Colonel strobe, evidently
undsturbed by the terrors that shook
Franz and me, mute anguish and unfal-
tering purpose breathing every glance
and movement.
That some terrible grief had once swept
his life. rumor had long before whispered
and | was half unconscously speculating
on it, associating the unknown past with
fell, ending instantly by the most appall-
ing shrek that ever smote human ears.
Just there in front of us it arose, dying
away in the same prolonged, mournful
wall we had first heard strange gut
tural murmur, hurried rush of feet,
chilling blast of wind, and we stood in
total darkness. AS Franz clutched wildly
at my arm, the Colonel's voice ran clear
"A q I'm ulp in tho frppziaI cry-
Nina! Poor dove, l am coming !"
Then, as the truth seemed to strike him.
he groaned-"Ileaven help me Am
mad Alas she is dead
Scarcely had the words left his lips
when a low fiendish laugh, which each OF
us could have sworn was breathed close
to his own ear, curdled the blood in our
veins. Even the Colonel was struck with
horror. A sharp ejaculation escaped his
lips, and it was in hoarse, unsteady ac-
cents that he bade us relight the torches
If we had the means.
But even as he spoke vivid, lambent
light shone about us revealing the tall,
slender figure of woman. whose dark,
rich beauty was set off to exquisite advan-
tage by a heavy black satin robe, with
broad, trailing, crimson cincture, and
knots of the same ruddy hue burning un-
der diamond tastenings in the jettie hair,
and at the gracious throat.
She stood at the end of the hall, one
slender hand gliding over the adorned
frescoes. one little crimson-slippered foot
pressed hard against the wood work be-
low. With painting breath and glittering
eve Colonel Elton bent forward, watching
till the seeming wall fell slowly back
ha I'd tsar
ly-
Lady Creighton Demon Fiend !"
We only saw spasm of pain contract
the beautiful features-a swift hand raised
toward the door and all was darkness,
llurriedly relighting our torches, we APP
preached the wall but our eager hands
had scarcely touched its frescoes when the
low wall of harp struck us motionless.
A few wandering chords-a few bewil-
dering sweet and mournful strains-and
then there rose full, perfect melody,
swelling gradually into harmonious
nearer and nearer. Like great tidal
waves it dashed up to our very feet, and
then receded slowly, only to sweep back
and again compass us in wierd storm OF
melodious sounds. To and fro it swept,
|
to shake off the spell that bound US.
ut comes from this WALL" he exclaim-
ed. Let's break it in-there's no good
behind it!n
The Colonel started as if from dream.
wait! Wen first search among these
lrescoes, pressing a foot as she did," he
answered hoarsely.
We found the secret spring, but wheth-
hrr
the task cannot say. As the door swung
open the grand melody wavered, shiver-
ing into wild, fitfu gusts that dritted
sweetly away till the far distance had
swallowed every sound. And in a silence
almost as weird as the music, we trav-
ersed the long narrow passage and wind
ing stairs up to three chambers with IRON
bound doors and high grated windows.
All the belongings of lady's drawing
roon, bedchamber and boudolr were
scattered through these rooms, and many
tokens of vanquished presence. No
dismantling hand had ever been here.
Paintings garpished the walls; richly
fusion on the tables; harp, with broken,
rusted strings. and quaint chair beside
it, stood Just as the musician had left it.
couch was the imprint of a human form.
Even the gem studded brush beneath the
dressing mirror spoke of some fair woman
in few long golden threads which Colo
mel Elton drew out with tender hand, aud
pressed to his lips in a passion of love and
grief.
On the floor at the foot of the couch we
found a tiny crystal flask suggestive of
much to Colonel Elton. But save the one
little word Nina scratched on the book,
nothing more, by which to identify the
life that had been, rewarded our diligent
search and lighted by the blaze Of the
rising sun we slowly and sadly returned
to our camping room. There Franz met
with a grief. His noble pet was dead!
A fact strange as indispuiable.
The same day Elton and were en-
route for London.
1t was one of Lady Creighton's grand
reunions.
Colonel Elton had paid his respects,
avoiding with indefinite tact and grace the
cordially extended hand of his hostess.
Glancing at me he said
LADY Creighton, have presumed up
init Q n