River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-01-17
The Fall.

l can see the glimpse of the gray walls
now and then through the trees"
Eyes" answered Paul Trevor; and
we shall have to dismount here and walk
the rest of the distance, for the avenue to
the house US now so over grown with
underbrush as TO be almost impossible"
They alighted, and arm-in-arm forced
their way with some difficulty toward
the house.
1t was gloomy looking building OF
stone erected upon ledge ofrocks, which
rose about twenty feet above the sea.
Long deserted, it had fallen into gradual
decay; the walls were green with moss;
long, dark weeds filed the paths, and the
crumbling fountains and broken statues
were covered with mould. Far from all
human habitations, surrounded by dense
wood upon the one side, and upon the
other by the sea, it stood in solitary desc
lation.
Maud shuddered at the gloomy aspect
tine crumbling steps.
"Oh, what dismal place. Don't
enter, Paul. l am not superstitious, but
somehow thrill of fear and dread creeps
over me-"
"Oh, you are only depressed with the
| melancholy aspect of decay, and the snf-
tary loneliness of the place. Shake off,
your nervousness, and we will explore the
interior. Nothing worse to be found than
| owls and bats, I'll warrant"
And the better to reassure her, Paul
put his arm around her waist and imprint
ed kiss upon her lips.
Gathering up her riding habit Maud
took the protfered arm Of her lover, and
| they descended the broken steps. The
great hall door swung open with dismal
creak, and their footsteps echoed through
the dismantled hall. They wandered
| through the dusty corridors and deserted
rooms. Here and there patches of decay
| ed drapery, or a forgotten picture, stained
and blackened chung to the mouldy wall,
and now and then a broken bust or statue
showed CHASTITY in the uncertain light.
| Owls and bats, disturbed in their hooks
and corners, flew about uneasily; rats and
mice disturbed in their foraging expedi-
| tons, scampered hastily to their holes;
and huge spiders, suddenly deprived of
| their cobweb homes, crawled in all direc-
| tons.
! Maud looked with nervous fear into the
dim, dusty corners, and started and shiv-
cred at every sudden noise.
zone flight more,n said Paul, as they
paused at the foot of the last staircase,
'and we shall have a splendid view of
the sea to repay us Tor the ghost
| ly sights and sounds we have had to
endure. Why, darling, how pale you
look! If you really wish we will go no
| further"
"No, Paul, won't give way to my fool
ishness; but the house seems to me like
an immense tomb, and the moan OF the
sea like wailing lament.
my poor, little, impossible darling, |
did not think you were so easily affected.
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
narrow passage and entered a room. 1t
contained but one window, which reached
the floor, opening to balcony, which
overhung the rocks below. The window
was closed, and begrinned with long
accumulated dust. and festooned with the
webs Of busy spiders. Determined to
| have an unobstructed view, Paul tugged
at the closed sash. For time it resisted
| but at length it opened with loud crash.
A strong wind was blowing from the sea,
which swept in at the open window with
great gust, and the door of the room
| slammed to with q resonant clang.
Maud gave little scream Of alright.
"Oh Paul, what if the door would not
open again!"
"Why, how nervous you are, Maudp
laughed Paul you'll see how quickly
it will open.
Ano advancing to the door, he clasped
the knob, and gave it a vigorous tug. The
lock was old and rusty, the knob came
off in his hand, leaving the door, which
was heavy and well preserved, still firm
in its casing.
"Never mind, my DEAR" said he, as 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 upon il and en-
ter some open door or window. Stay
here for moment;
"0h, Paul don't leave mem
He turned, and taking her in mis- arms,
kissed her pale cheek.
"Why, Maud, darling, why this excess
i've fear2"
II cannot tell, Paul but an unaccount-
able oppression stole over me at the sight
of this gloomy old building, and every
moment have spent in it has increased
my agitation. 1t is prcscience of com
ing danger to one or both Of US
"Pshaw, dearest you are morbidly affect |
ed by this dismal place. | did wrong to
bring you here. We will hurry away
from its gloomy Influences
He stepped out upou the balcony as he
spoke, and with CHEEKY word turned to
reconnoitre, when Immediately there was
a loud crash-the balcony, rotten with
age, had given way beneath his feet, and
he was hurled to the rocks below
r
It was strange sensation, the gradual
awakening to consciousness, and Paul |
Trevor opened his eyes languidly, and
dreamily wondered at his condition. He
was lying in the humble cottage; and
through the half-open door he could hear
a murmur of voices. At first the effort to |
remember bewidcred him but gradu- |
ally his mind became clear, and -ah, yes
he recollected his fall, the rocks the
sea, and with feeling of acute pain it
flashed across him that Maud was left @
prisoner in that fatal house.
He strove to rise, but the sharp pain
caused Jy the sudden movement pressed
a groan of of agony from his lips. He
sank back upon his pillow. The mental
shock, together with the physical, so
Frustrated him that he was powerless
but his brain seemed on fire. Terrible |
visions of Maud alone and helpless in |
that solitary chamber floated wildly be- !
fore his mental sight.
He pictured to himself her terror as
she beheld his mad plunge into the sea,
her agony when the terrors of her situa-
ton flashed across her, her frantic at
tempts to open the door, her wild, appeal
ing gaze out at the moaning sea, her de-
spair as the daylight crept slowly but
surely out Of the shadowY room, the dark