Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-01-05

Why, darling, how pale you look If
you really wish, we will go no further"
"No, Paul, 1 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.
Ibid not think you were so easily af.
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. It contained but one window,
which reached the floor, opening to
balcony which overhung the rocks below.
The window was closed, and begrimed
with lopg-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 a
great gust, and the door of the room
slammed to with a 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"
And, advancing to the door, he clasped
the knob, and gave it 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 it's 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
it, and enter some open door or window.
Stay here for moment"
ooh, 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"
81 cannot tell, Paul but an unac-
countable oppression stole over me at
the sight of this gloomy old building,
and every moment 1 have spent in it
has increased my agitation. 1t is
prescience of coming danger to one OF
both OF us"
Pshaw, dearest you are morbidly
affected by this dismal place. 1 did
wrong to bring you here. We will
hurry away from it's gloomy influences.
He stepped out upon the balcony as
he spoke, and with CHEEKY word turned
f< a5,oHa1,, 4ln,,n
was loud crash-the balcony, rotten
with age, had given way beneath his
feet, and he was hurled to the rocks
below.
1t 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 an humble cottage and
through the half-open door he could
hear a murmur of voices. At first the
effort to remember bewlldered him; but
gradually his mind became clear, and
alb, yes he recollected his fall. the
rocks, the sea, aud with feeling of
acute pain it flashed across him that
Maud was left a prisoner in that fatal
house.
He strove to rise, but the sharp pain
caused by the sudden movement pressed
groan of agony from his lips. He
sank back upon his pillow. The mental
shock, together with the physical, SO
prostrated him that he was powerless
but his brain seemed on fire. Terrible
visions of Maud alone and helpless in
that solitary chamber foated wildly
before 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-
tion flashed across her, her frantic at
tempts to open the door, her wild, ap-
pealing gaze out at the moaning sea, her
despair as the daylight crept slowly but
surely out of the shadowy room, the
darkness gathering like presence the
deathly stiffness unbroken save by the
dash of the sea or the ghostly sounds
of the house. And more terrible
thought still crept in upon his narrowed
mind, chilling his very hearts blood.
He rose from the bed and gazed frantic
ally around. How long had he been
lying sehseless and inanimhte here
how long? and Maud, his beautiful be-
trothed, was starving-lying in that
awful house
The thought brought back strength to
his bruised limbs-his blood coursed /.
like fire through his veins. He would
go to her Dead or alive he would bear
her from that fatal house of haunting
shadows and fearful sounds. He rushed |
from the house and fed to the woods !;
the sunlight crept through the trees and
fell with broad bars of golden light on
the greensward the rabbits sprang
across his track, alarmed at his hasty |
tread; the birds twittered merrily in the |
leafy branches. All was life and Joy. |
and seemed to jeer and mock his woe.
Needless of the cramping pain in his
limbs and upheld by the feverish |
strength born of intense excitement, he |
strobe rapidly out; but when the dilapi-
dated ruins loomed still and sombre in |
his gaze he checked for a moment his |
mad speed. A cold chill crept through |
his veins and his trembling limbs re-
fused to obey his will. But Maud All! |
His darling Maud
"I'm coming; Maud, I'm coming I" |
ne shouted, rushing frantically up the
crumbling steps.
The wind so warm without met him.
chill and cold, as he pushed open the
great door, and the yellow sunlight paled
as it struggled in the semi-darkness.
The dash of the sea as it broke against
the cold gray rocks smote his ear with a
mournful sound; his own football echoed |
like knell. An incubus of dread and |
fear seemed to settle upon his heart; he
felt stihed, Fand unable to advance. But,
ah anything rather than this terrible |
suspense. He rushed hurriedly up the
stairs to the door of the fatal room. II |