Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-08-09
MYSTERY OF THE LIBRARY.

utlucneu TO rosewood COrElce, and tall-
ing in graceful folds to the floor.
" Lillian Lillian don't raise it," ex.
claimed Mrs. Thornton, springing from
the easy chair IN which she had been re-,
clinilg with hstlessness of dreaming
child, and darting to my side she pressed
50 heavily against the veil that l could
discern the outline of a picture frame.
" A picture ~ l exclaimed. 80, l
must see it, for can never rest where
there is anything mysterious"
" But this you cannot-must not see."
| did not reply, for having been an in
mate OF the house only week, and this
being my first visit to the library, did
not give utterance to the thoughts that
rushed through my mind. Perhaps Mrs.
Thornton OWNED my thoughts, as after
moment she said
You are to have access to the library
at all times every book is at your ser
vice, and you are at liberty, even, to
rumage the drawers and pigeon holes of
my desk, if your curiosity demands it
but you must not look beneath the veil
that hides the picture :" and her pale lips
trembed, her dark, expressive eyes were
fixed upon mine.
Just one glance" l said pleadingly
but she moved her head negatively, and
| went on: How can | study with that
mystery ever before me ? and then, too.
| shall sleep soundy again, but dream
the iveong night of this mystical veil,
and that it hides some strange, weird
image or worse, become somnambu
list and frighten every servant who hap,
pens to fear ghosts from the house by
midnight explorations and wanderings." ="
" No eye Tut mine ever looks upon this
veiIed picture. 1t is sacred, for it is the
only relic have preserved of my past
life and all | have to remind me Of
happy days too bright to last of briei
period when life's pathway was strewed
with flowers. and | dreamed that not be
meath those fair, pertumed flowers petals
sharp, piercing thorns were hidden. =
Her face was as pale as death and those
deep, dark eyes moist with peary tears.
saw that her heart was deeply panied;
that yelling from memory's fountain
came painful remembrance and, truly
ponitent, said : " Forgive my thought
less words, and | promise never to raise
the veil from this picture, nor pain your
heart by my questions"
An intense smile stole over her pale
features, and kissing my cheek she mur-
INJURED: "DeaI child perhaps some
day may lift The vel and tell you ALL"
Then turning away to hide her tears left
me standing before ;he veied picture.
1t was rather curious how | came to be
a dweller in the home of Mrs Thornton.
Two years ago when but fourteen years
old, | came to New Haven to school, and
after my father leaving home for Europe,
where he expected to remain three years,
intrusted me to the uardianship of MIR.
Howe, an old friend Of his college days.
1t was at the house of Mr.. Howe that
first met Mrs. Thornton. She went but
little into society, and my guardian s was
one of the few families she visited. Her
pale, expressive face, attracted me, and
there was an indefnable something in
her dark, liquid eyes, now so sad, and
now glowing with an intense smile, that
awoke an answering echo in my young
heart. She Always called me to her side
to ask me about my studies ; and when a
new book was announced which she
thought would be suitable for me to read, |
she placed it in my hand. with my name
engraved on the fly leaf in her handwrt- |
ing. Was it strange that my heart |
warmed toward her and that her COM
Ing was looked forward to with pleasure,
or that often begged to visit her in her
quiet, pleasant home /? My visits there
were not very frequent; and then we sat
in her boudoir, which was fitted up with |
artistic taste, and having never been ad
mitted to the library, never had seen |
the veiled picture.
| had pleasant home with Mr. Howe's
family vet it was glad surprise when
he said could board with Mrs. Thorn
ton if wished, and thought that could
be happy there. Mrs, Thornton had pro
posed it, as Mr.. Howe's family anticipa-
ted being absent from the city most Of
The summer and the following Satur>
day | removed to her heme.
1t was my first holiday in my new
home, and had gone TO the library with |
Mrs. Thornton to select book, when on
passing around, my eyes fell on the silk
drapery shading the walls in the further
est corner, and was about to draw taside,
when her exclamation prevented. |
had promised not to look beneath the |
mysterious folds of that silken veil, yet |
was not satisfied curiosity prompted me |
to catch glimpse when Mrs. Thornton
was occupied, but honor forbade.
summer and Autumn passed, and the |
long winter evenings were spent iE the |
cosy, cheerful library and though
cast many furtive glance toward the
yelled picture; dared not question Mrs
Thornton, and began to despair the dawn
ing of that day when she would relate
the history OF the picture. 1t was mild |
evening in Spring, and we were sitting !
in front Of the CRATE in the library /
watched the fast dimming Goals burn low,
while Mrs. Thornton, with closed eyes,