The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-01-16


the dismantled hall They wandered
through dusty corridors and deserted
rooms. Here and there patches Of de-
cayed drapery or a forgotten picture,
stained and blackened, clung to the
mouldy wall. and now and then broken
bust or statue showed ghastly in the
uncertain light. Owls and bats, dis
! turbed in their nooks and corners, flew
about uneasily rats and mice, surprised
! in their foraging expeditions, scampered
hastily to their holes and huge spiders,
/ suddenly deprived of their cobweb-
homes, crawled in all directions.
Maud looked with nervous fear into
the dim, dusty corners, and started and
shivered at every Sudden noise.
cone fight more" said Paul, as they
paused at the foot of the last staircase,
"and we shall have splendid view OF
the sea to repay us for the ghostly sights
and sounds we have had to endure.
Why, darling, how pale you look II
you really wish, we will go no further. ="
"No, Paul, won't give way to my
foolishness but the house seems to me
like an immense tomb, and the moan OF
the sea like wailing lament.
"My poor, little impressible darling.
1 did not think you were so easily at
fected. But come up to the room above,
and you will get view from the window
that will brighten your eyes and bring
the color back to your cheeks.
They assembled the stairs, passed
through a narrow passage, and entered
room. 1t contained but one window,
which reached the floor, opening to a
balcony which overhung the rocks below.
The window was closed, and begrimed
with ng-accumulated dust, and fes-
tooned with the webs of busy spiders.
Determined to have an unobstructed
view, Paul tugged at the closed sash.
For time it resisted, but at last it
opened, with a loud crash. A strong
wind was blowing from the sea. 1t
swept in at the open window with II
great gust, and the door of the room
slammed to with a resonant clang.
Maud gave a little scream of alright.
ooh, Paul, what if the door would
not open again !"
"Why, how nervous you are, Maud!
laughed Paul. "You'll see how quickly
it will open"
And, advancing to the door, he clasped
the knob, and gave it a vigorous tug.
The lock was old and rusty, and the
knob came off in his hand, leaving the
door, which was heavy and well pre-
served, still firm in its casing.
"Never mind, my DEAR" said he, al
he saw Maud's face blanch. +" If the
door won't open we can find another
egress See, this balcony runs all the
length of the house. We can walk upo1
t, and enter some open door or window
Stay here for a moment.
"Oh, Paul, don't leave me -
He turned, and taking her in his arms
kissed her pale cheek.
"Why, Maud, darling, why this ex
cessive fear ?"
"I cannot tell, Paul but an unac
countable oppression stole ever me a
the sight of this gloomy old building
and every moment have spent in j
has increased my agitation. 1t is
prescience of coming danger to one q
both of u.s.
"Pshaw, dearest you are morbid.
affected by this dismal place. dix
wrong to bring you here. We vii
hurry away from its gloomy influences.
He stepped out upon the balcony as
he spoke, and with CHEEKY word turned
to reconnoitre, when immediately ther,
was loud crash-the balcony, rottel
with age, had given way beneath hi
feet, and he was hurled to the rock
below.
It was strange sensation. the gradua
awakening to consciousness, and Pan
Trevor opened his eyes languidly, ant
dreamily wondered at his condition. ID
was lying in an humble cottage anC
through the half-open door he coulC
hear murmur of voices. At first tn
effort to remember bewlldered him; bu
gradually his mind became clear, and
an, yes i-he recollected his fall. th
rocks, the sea, and with a feeling o
3 acute pain it flashed across him tina
l.. Maud was left prisoner in that fata
s house.
He strove to rise, but the sharp pail
I caused by the sudden movement pressed
( a groan of agony from his lips. III
e sank back upon his pillow. The menta
4 shock, together with the physical, ST
- prostrated him that he was powerless
4 but his brain seemed on fire. Terribl
4 visions of Maud alone and helpless il
that solitary chamber fiOated yividl,
4 before his mental sight.
!, He pictured to himself her terror "A
E she beheld his mad plunge into the sea
o her agony when the terrors of her situa
! ton flashed across her, her frantic at
e tempts to open the door, her wild, ap
d pealing gaze out at the moaning sea, he
|. despair as the daylight crept slowly bu
+, surely out of the shadowy room, tn
e darkness gathering like presence tn
Il deathly stiffness unbroken save by tn
dash of the sea or the ghostly sound
It of the house. And more terribl
Q thought still crept in upon his haTrowe
mind, chilling his very hearts blooc
t He rose from the bed and gazed frantic
It ally around. How long had he bee
IS lying sehseless and inanimate here
how long? and Maud, his beautiful b'