Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-27
Confined from first rareN

CiHaRG ~ was tUC Nluu. Hdiu Lucy
hopefully, il being very much the nature
OF the wind to pull out rather tight door
bell and give it q ring.
LET as wait and see if it rings again.
suggested. and ring again it did, louder
and more impatient than before, Margery
with anything short OF wolves in pursuit
OF her, would never have given such a
peal. But she would go to the other door.
1t was the loudness that so startled us.
''Now don't be absurd" cried Helen,
addressing nobody in particular. "How
l wish the door had a chain, or that there
was window"
Unfortunately, the hall door had all the
end of the house to itself; not lattice
was there through which to hold pan ley
the door, too, was secured with strong
bolts, and these safeguards must be with
drawn ere yet the enemy was revealed at
close quarters. Another prolonged and
startling ring.
II will 60 and open it, for one" said
feeling like Horatius at the bridge, but
with mixture of cowardice and despair
In my valor to which we will hope he was
a stranger. "Who will come with me ?''
a." said Helen, "could we speak
through the door, do you think ?"
mot chance of it with this wind"
''Oh, but l cannot stay here all alone ;
should de-" said Lucy. LET us keep
together, whatever happens. And, oh,
Helen, please be careful of the candle !"
Running through the passage together,
Iundid the first bolt paused, and listened
Then the second. Then the third. The
door burst inward, taking all our strength
TO support its impetus.
A light fared in our faces from without
an eddy of leaves made good its entrance
and in the doorway, helped onward by
the wind, stood, to all appearance, Me-
phistopheles himself.
Yes, truly. If piercing black eyes,
cleaning out from pale face adorned
with pointed moustache, tall mystic
rious figure shrouded by cloak, and what
appeared supernatural Indifference to
the elements, might be allowed to stand
as representing Mephistopheles, he was
even now here amongst us.
Lucy gave suppressed shrek and
clutched tightly at my dress. 1t was
impossible in the hurry -burIy of surround
ings to understand word. We were
blown back into the passage, and the
stranger in turn was blown across the
threshold after us which was so far for
tunate in that Helen's candle, in spite of
precautions. had at once gone out, and the
light carried by him was our only refuge
from total eclipse.
Mepbistopheles proceeded deliberately
to shut the door again, shutting himself,
of course in with us--a CHASTITY proceed
ing that made Lucy give the following
clever suggestion:
"Oh, tell him we are only ladies in the
house tell him he must 90 awayr'
saw him cast rapid glance on her
evidence that he had heard the speech
but he addressed himself to Helen. She
maintained her ground as forewoman OF
our little group.
II am distressed to ntrude myself thus
on household of ladies, but | seek for
help in urgent necessity. Our carriage
has met with an accident Just outside your
gate, and we ask shelter for an invalid
lady who is with us, until we see how far
the damage can be repaired so that we
may proceed on our way.
He carried in his hand veritable car
riage-lamp, and not Satanic torch. If
we could but consult our mother what TO
do or even Margeryl Until that impos-
sible end was achieved 1t seemed hopeless
to form any opinion as to the right course
to pursue. Helen gathered her sacred
wits and answered the stranger with as
much decision as if the case was of every
day occurrence.
1--WE will certainly give the lady shelter,
and any others OF your party that need it.
1t Is 9. dreadful night for travellers. hope
no one has been iDjuredP"
mo one, thank you. A large tree
has blown across the road; the horses |
could not proceed and became FESTIVE.
There is no man here who can render us
assistancepn
mot one.n
"Then I'll 60, and return sho tly with
the invalid. Ten thousand apologies,
ladies, for disturbing the sancity of your
house. Your proverb says Necessity
knows no law and when one is over
turned at gate, one must need discover
if it be friendly one. Accept my deep
est gratitude and thanks" making a pro-
found bow.
He spoke English fuently, but with
strong French accent and was evidently a
foreigner. 1t was no use calling Lucy to
order in her present excited state At the
low bow she burst out laughing with as
little ceremony as she had previously
screamed. Mephistopheles. however, did
not linger longer, but disappeared into
the confusion outside, carriage-lamp in
hand
"Oh, know they are a gang" said
Lucy Historically. You will never let
them in again ?"
Nonsense. said Helen, a little sharp
ly, under the weight of the responsibility
she had taken upon herself, ''Of course
we must admit a lady if she comes. Let
us look to the fires and do, some one,
light the lamp in the hall"
We spent few moments busily, and
then stood waiting for the arrival. 1t did
not come as soon as we expected; min
utes began to mount; we looked at each
other and felt puzzled.
Then came ring at the bell, rather
quieter than before. Mephistopheles
again, greeting us this time with the
smile OF an old acquaintance, and dis
playing very white row of teeth under
his dark moustache. But alas! What
shape cannot his Satanic majesty assume
Walking behind him with very slow
steps came tall, middle-aged man, who
supported on his arm lady in deep wild
ow-weeds. Even with that assistance
her mode of progress was little beyond a
creeping pace, which he seemed to guide