The daily gazette., 1878-01-12
THE FALL.


"Are those the ruiass" arked Maud
Chsimers, pointing with her riding
whip. 81 can see glinp ses of gray
walls now and then through the
trees?" F ff
"Yes," answered. Paul Trev or, ,"and
we snail have to dismount here and
walk the rest of the distance, for the
avenue 10 the house is now 80 over
grown with underbrlsh as to be al
most impossible" '4'7
They slighted, and arm-in-fArm fore
ed their way with some difficulty tow
ard the house.
II was q gloomy-looking building
OF stone,erected up N ledge OF rocks
which rose about twenty feet above
the sea, Long deserted, 1t had fallen
into gradual decay, the walls were
green with moss, long dank weeds
filled the paths, and tho crumbling
fountains and broken statues were
covered with mould. Far from all
human habitatIons, surrounded by
dense wood upon the one aide,
and upon the -other by the sen, 1t
stood iu solitary dssolation.
Maud shuddered at the gloomy
aspect before her as she and Paul
halted before the crumbling steps.
"Oh, what dismal placel DON'T en-
ter, Paul. | am not superstitiOus, but
somehow atnrill of fear and dread
Creep. over me-"
''Oh. you are only depres ed with
the melancholy aspect of decay, and
the solitary Loneliness of the place.
Shake off your nervousness and we
will explore the interior. Nothing
worse TO be found than owls and bats,
Ill warrant" .,.
And the better to reassure her Paul
put his arm around her waist and i'm
printed kiss upon her lips.
Gathering up her riding habit Maud
took the pioffered arm Of her lover,
and they a-cended the broken steps.
The great hall door swung open with
a dismal creak, and their footsteps
echoed through the dismantled hall.
They wandered through dusty corri-
dor and deserted rooms. Here and
there patches of decayed drapery or a
forgotten picture. stained and blacks
end, clung TO the wall, and now and
then broken bust or statue showed
Rhastly in the uncertain light. Owls
and bats, disturbed in their hooks and
corners, flew about uneasily; rats and
mice, surprised In their foragiDg ex-
peditions, scampered hastily to their
holes, and huge spiders, suddenly de-
privcd of theiI cobweb homes, crawl
ed in all directions. ~. r.. ssi .
Maud looked with nervous fear into
the dim, dusty corner, and started and
shivered At every sudden noise. o
"One fight more," said Paul, as they
paused at the foot of the last staircase
s'and we shall have splendid view OF
the sea to repay us for the ghostly sights
and sounds we have had TO endure. w by
darling, how pale you look! If you
really wish, we shall 60 no farther"
mo, Paul, wont give way to my
foolishness, but the house seems to me
like an immense tomb, and the moan o.
the sea like wailing lament"
"My poor little impressible 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 l5l.Il.sI
| They assembled the stairs, passed
through narrow passage and entered q
] room. Ii contained but one window,
which reached the floor, opening TO bal
cony which overhnng the rocks below
The window was closed, and begrimmed
with long 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 1t resisted, but at last it opens
ed with loud crash. A strong wind was
blowing from the sea. II swept In ai
the open window with great gust, and
the door of the room slammed to with a
resonant olang. Maud gave q little
scream of alright. 4rsn- lp aa
"Oh. Paul, what If the door would
not open againw ta
"Why, how nervous you are, Maud p
laughed Paul. "You'n 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 musty, and the
knob came off In his hand, leaving the
door, winch was heavy and well pre-
served, still firm in Its casing.
"Never mind, my dear, said he, as he
saw Mauds face blanch. "If the door
won't open We can find another egress
See, this baicouy runs all the length OF
the house, We can walk upon It, and
enter some open door or window. Stay
here for a moment"
.Oh, Paul, don't leave mew
Ii 9 turned, and taking her in his arms,
kissed her pale cheek.
"why, Maud, darling, why this excess
siye fear?"
III cannot tell, Paul; but an unacqaint-
! able oppression stole. over me at the
sight OF this gloomy old building, and
every moment l have spent in it has in.
creased my agitation. ftisa prescience
OF coming danger to one or both of ns."
"Pshaw, dearest; you are morbidly af.
fsctsd by this dismal place. did wrong
to bring you here. We will hurry away
from its 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 be-
low. euA es.I iHs- 81
1t was a strange sensation, the gradual
awakening to consciousness, and Paul
1revor 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
| q murmur of voices At first the effort