The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-01-23

opened, with loud crash. A strong
wind was blowing from the sea. Ii
swept in at the open window with q
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, 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 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
it, and enter some open door or window.
Stay here for 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 over me al
the sight of this gloomy old building,
and every moment [ have spent IN II
has increased my agitation. 1t is
prescience of coming danger to one el
both of u.s.
"Pshaw, dearest; you are morbidly
affected by this dismal place: l dlo
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
to reconnoitre, when Immediately there
was loud crash-the balcony, rotten
with age, had given way beneath his
feet, and he was hurled to the rocks
below.
It strange sensation. the gradual
awakening to consciousness, and Pau
Trevor opened his eyes langlidly, and
dreamily wondered at his condition. DC
was lying in an humble cottage and
through the half-open door he could
hear q 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, and with feeling o1
acute pain it flashed across him that
Maud was left prisoner in that tatal
house.
He strove to rise, but the sharp pain
caused by the sudden movement presseo
groan of agony from his lips. He
sank back upon his pillow. The menta
shock, together with the physical, sc
prostrated him that he was powerless
but his brain seemed on fire. Terrible
visions of Maud alone and helpless in
that solitary chamber hoated vividly
before his mental sight.
He pictured to himself her terror af
she beheld his mad plunge into the sea-
her agony when the terrors OF her s1tua'
ton flashed across her, her frantic at
tempts to open the door, her wild, ap'
pealing gaze out at the moaning sea, hel
despair as the daylig ht crept slowly bu'
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 a 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 beer
lying senseless and inanimate here
how long? and Maud, his beautiful be-
trothed, was starving-lying in thai
awful house
The thought brought back strength tt
his bruised imbs-his blood coursee
like fire through his veins. He would
90 to herl Dead or alive he would beal
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 ant
fell with broad bars of golden light OF
the greensward; the rabbits sprane
across his track, alarmed at his hasty
tread; the birds twittered merrly in the
leafy branches. All was life and Joy
and seemed to jeer and n ock his woe
Needless of the cramping pain in hi
limbs and upheld by the fever'st
strength born of intense excitement, ht
strobe rapidly out; but when the dllapl
dated ruins loomed still and sombre II
his gaze he checked for moment hi
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!
he shouted, rushing frantically up the
crumbling steps.
The wind so warm without, met him
chill and cold, rs he pushed open the
great door, and the yellow sunlight paleo
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, 'and 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
was still closed-and all was deathly
silent within with desperate effort he
pushed it open, and gave a horrlied
fearful gaze within. Yes there
upon the floor, with staring eyes ano
pinched, pallid features, lay his beloved
"a corpse For o moment he gazeo
horrifed then. with a groan sank un'
conscious to the floor.
"Paul-Paul !" murmured a sweet
voice, and lingering kiss was imprinted
upon his lips. "Do you know me al
last, Paul?" =,
Drowsily opening his eyes, he saw the
dear face of Maud above his own, fail
and fresh as he had last seen 1t before
that fearful fall upon the rocks.
"Where am I? What does it mean
Are you indeed, my own sweet Maud, Of
only her glorified spirit? ?? w
Maud laughed happy little laugh,
although tears shone like pearls in hel
blue eyes.
cit is only the horrid phantom OF de-
lerium that still vexes you, Paul. ! an
no spirit, but living, breathing reality.
And then she told him how some
fishermen, sailing by in their little boat
had heard her terrified scream when he
was precipitated to the rocks; how they
had come to their aid, and carried them
both to little cottage near by how he
bruised and bleeding, yet not dead, hac
passed from unconsciousness to the
maddening tortures of brain fever.
Though subjected to long and painful