Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-31
another, l discovered that 1 had not one left,

no room Of her ownE'Tt saved flre," she said,
Ito live In the Kitchen" and thither proceeded
to prof1er my request when she advanced rap
IDLY, stood exactly in front of me, so as to pre-
vent my entering. and asked in a nervous irri.
at once assured me that She had no doubt Mrs.
Keith could give me one; and then she nearly
shut the door In my face. She had not however
prevented my seeing the figure OF man sitting
| In the chimney corner, who for one instant had
turned very ev1l-lOoking face IN my direc-
| ton.
| Twas rather surprised at her having visitor,
| as had often heard her declare to my aunt
| that she would never admit one; and aScribed
her manifest agitation to my detecting her 10
the act OF receiving {" a follower" as she would
have said. However, fastened to beg lace
| OF Mrs. Keith, who smiltngly assured me that
| she had long ceased to wear laced boots or to
| possess laces. 1 could not therefore. go out.
| She advised me, as a substitute for OutOf-dcOr
| exercise, to run over the old house.
| 1T Is OF great siZe," she said, and will take
many steps to traverse, and 1t may amuse you
to explore the many hooks and corners: though
I cannot promise you the excitement Of ghost
| or mystery to discover. 1t is a commonplace
| old rambling house."
once. taking a turning she had described, lower
| down the gallery, and finding perfect nest Of
chambers on that floor. They were all fur
moudy 0 and ' faing in9e decay ignt 81
| stairs at the end of these rooms tempted me to
ascend higher. The upper story was still more
ioAuOiAuS anu 1ullCI VI passages, SUcpS, uOOkS
and corners than the one below; and began to
think that might lose myself In such LADY,
rinth, and that 1 had better return, when, on
these deserted chambers, tripped over some
thing, and looking down. perceived a rough
strong pair OF mems boots just under my feet.
ganeg round the she
OF recent occupation. The bed had been slept
Id, and was not yet made, and the crate con-
tanned the embers of fire. Who could have
slept here and been INDUCED in a fire, luxury
which even Mrs. Keith did not allow herself?
IN the Wheele1s and the general servant slept in
ling here unknown to Aunt Helen?
Whilst still stood wondering, heard heavy
steps approaching; and, not liking to be found
door--which hoped led from the room~and
FOUND myself In large low closet with small
window In 1t. had shut the door after me be-
was about to open it and go out again, when l
heard mans footstep In the chamber, and
thought It better to remain where was. A
'The gal will have all the money now, you
may be sure, mother. There won't be more
than paltry fifty pound legacy for you and
riches! You think Of what I've said, and how
jolly we should be across the herring pond"
ID Don't talk Of 1t no more. VIII" replied the
of. The Old lady has always been good and
Kind tome. 1would not have hair Of her head
Joinder. "Only say It's shame for that gal
to cut you out OF your LIES earnings-for that's
what it Is about"
"Well, Wen see," said the woman-I thought
with reluctance and hesitation in her tone
''well see! Now take what things you want
and go; and don't come back till Tomorrow
have been seen by Miss Corbould to-day II
hadn't had my wits about me-"
believe she did see me, and that Mrs.
Keith Will be told I'm here" was the reply.
"If you do as advise, we have no time to lose"
"She didn't see you, or she'd have asked who
you were-she did so once when she saw the
make mischief if she did. She's not bad sort,
He muttered something that sounded like a
curse.
"Come," she added, stake what you left, and
let us go. must see you safe out of the house
before Mrs. Keith rings for her breakfast-and
it is past her usual time now"
Where's the gal gone?" he asked.
"To church; so we are safe from her. But
make haste"
A drawer was opened, and after minute or
door. l trembled least should hear a kew
turn In the lock, but, happily for me, 1t had
long been lost. AS soon as profound silence
made me feel secure, l came out OF my hiding
place, and flew along the passage till found
the stairs, which / descended In great haste
only breathing freely when was In my ow n
room again. Then sat down TO think.
There could be no doubt that Mrs. Wheelers
son had either escaped or obtained ticket of
leave, and was actually in the house-nay, had
slept In the deserted rooms And what was the
advice he had given his mother? Surely to rob
my aunt or kill me! Thus / understood his
words. resolved instantly to start for church;
reached 1t, but would see Mr. Denham, the
clergyman, and could tell him what I had
heard, and ask him what to do. 1 put on my
hat at once, ard ventured forth In my house
boots, taking care to keep out Of sight of the
windows as hurried OF.
reached the church just as the congregation
was coming out, and found, to my dlsmay, that
Mr.. Denham was from home, and that the
clergyman who had ofhciated for him had Just
driven Gil, on his return to his own parish l
was terribly vexed: | went to the parsonage,
however, and, on seeing the rectors Old ser
want, asked her If she could let me write
line there, to her master, as had a message for
MIN. she consented ciyilly, gave me paper,
story to MIR: Denham, dried my wet boots for
me by her fire.
Before left, asked her If the alarum at the
replied, ''Yes, she believed it had been heard
many years ago. But why did 1 ask? Ireplied
that was afraid OF burglars, and wished to
know il help could be obtained.
Having her promise to give the note to Mr..
Denham on his return-Wh1ch would be the
next morning, she told mel again set out on
that Mrs. Keith had become alarmed, and a
little cross at her delayed dinner. Wheeler
was with her, looking, l thought, a little anx-
$50 you went to church after ALL" said my
aunt, when had apologised and explained that
had been detained at the Rectory while my
boots dried. ''l on had much better have
amused yourself by exploring the old house or
walking up and down the corridor"
ooh, but wanted to get some boot laces In
the village" l replied, (which have done, or
should have been kept in again tomorrow! On
some rainy day can get Mrs. Wheeler to show
me the house." AS l spoke, l perceived the
anxious expression pass from Mrs. Wheeler's
face.
wheeler Is i'll. you Will be sorry to hear"
said my aunt, accounting for her housekeeper's
waiting on us. mrs. Wheeler tells me he had
a sort OF fit last night. I want her to send for
the doctor, but she thinks he Is better, and only
needs rest"
Dinner over, took seat near my aunt, and,
first conjuring her not to tell any one what
was about to communicate and not to be
alarmed, related my adventure Of the MORN
Ing. She listened with amaZement and appre-
heISfOn.
"He can mean nothing but wickedness.n she
exclaimed as paused. 'He is one Of the most
INSCRIPTIONS villains have ever heard Of To
think OF his being free again and taking shelter
mere. We might as well-Or better-have a
loose Tiger In the house. Jane Wheeler Is an
idiot to be so infatuated with that vile son of
hers. She Is and always will be a mere instru-
ment In his hands, though l really believe she
is attached to me-"
"And her husband' asked.
he Is poor feeble old man. What could he
Go without firearms? And we have none In the
l1pt AM rNr,1r 1l,1r - 4S0Nrr vNo~