Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-19
Continued from First Page

ANN-%,''.~-NN~
ment in his hands. though really believe
she is attached TO me-
'And her husband 9'' asked.
The conversation. which had been held
in French. was here interrupted by the en-
trance of Mrs. Wheeler. who came osten-
sibly to ask for little medicine for her
husband from Mrs. keiths medicine chest,
but really we both believed. to ascertain
by some indication in my aunt's manner
whether had discovered and revealed the
presence of her son at the Hall. Aunt
Helen was, however. equal to the occa-
sion.
She treated her housekeeper with even
more than her usual kindness, kept her
talking for some time, and told her to take
a little brandy for her husband-an I'M
usual liberality. / noticed also that she
turned her kindly chat on old days, allud-
ed 10 the faithful service that her butler
had always rendered her, and to her true
friendship for him and his wife. Mrs.
Wheeler was touched, and even shed tears
perhaps of remorse and repentance.
The next morning dawned and showed
the earth covered with a mantle of snow,
which was still falling heavily. Twas dis
MAYED at the sight. What if it should
prevent Mr.. Denham from coming to us in
answer to my notep | had watched the
sky all breakfast time, and when had fin
ished nv coffee fastened to Aunt Helen $
room to tell her the bad news. She was
not much impressed by it. Snow in the
South, she said, was not the obstruction
that it generally was in the North.
''He is poor feeble old man. What
could he do without firearmsP And we
have none in the house. No; our only
chance of safety lies in Mr., Denham's ccm-
ing tomorrow morning, as | have no
doubt he WILL replied my aunt, who
showed no signs of fear after the first
alarm had passed over. 1.-The convict
will not be here tonight. you say?'
mo; Mrs Wheeler said distinctly to-
morrow night at TO- But, aunty, dear,
does your bedroom door fasten securely ?''
Eyes. have strong night-bolt. l
never lock nv door because of the contin-
gency of fire. Your door is also secured
by bolt, as we'll as by lock and key"
'.And the closet with your plate, which
is in your room?'
1T shuts with spring, and can be
opened only by pressure on certain
flower in the wood-carving of the door, the
secret of which is known only to myself
"Yeu are sure Mrs. Wheeler has not
SEN you open itP''
She paused and thought a moment.
Il believe not,'' she said at length
'but carnot be sure. Imay have opened
it be ore her. vi en- | wished the plate to
be cleaned, years ago: ior ! trusted her
entirely. But how came you to know
that had a closet there at all Pr
''She told me of it on the day
arrived, and pointed out the spot. Bye
the-bye. Aunt Helen, | think any one
might hide behind your tapestry. 1t is
nailed on ledge. and there is space for
crouching behind it,
''For you, perhaps" she answered. with
smile, "but for nothing larger than a
tiny creature like yourself"
my DEAR" she added, 81 have rune
three times for Wheeler. and she is not
come ; will you 90 and see what is the
matterp am afraid her husband NIGH
be worse
haste led to obey her, but met Mrs
Wheeler at the top of the stairs, coming
she said 10 see why her lady had not runs
for her.
explained that the bell had been runs
three times, at which she seemed mucl
surprised, and fastened into my aunt
room, told her also that the bell had no
been sounded. Aunt desired her 10 gc
down and listen while she rang again, thai
they might ascertain whether TIE bell was
broken, or If she had merely not heard il
She obeyed, and Aunt Helen pulled Wig
orously the bell-rope which hung at her
bedside Presently Mrs. Wheeler reap
peared and announced that no bell had
sounded; Mrs. Keith loo ed ANNOYED.
bat ordered her to send Immediately to
the village for the bell hanger, and have
the wire repaired. 1.-The gardener can 90
for him. She added.
Under the circumstances this ordinary
accident gave us very disagreeable i'm
preston, especially as soon after nv aunt
had entered the drawing room, saw the
gardener quietly sweeping path in the
snow. Aunt Helen asked Mrs Wheeler.
rather sharply, when she came to remove
the breakfast things, why she had not sent
for the bell-hanger. But the woman
. though looking, | thought, confused-re-
piled that she had asked the butcher. who
CHANGED to be at the house, to send him,
as Jones, the gardener, was wanted to
sweep away the snow.
BY noon Mrs. Keith and began anx-
iously to expect the arrival of Mr. Dem
ham, and did little else but watch from
the window across the dreary waste of
snow Tor his desired appearance-Fatina's
sister scarcely looked more eagerly-but
he did not come, and two o'clock dinner
was served in the profoundest gloom of a
snow storm. Wheeler, however. an
nounced that the bell-hanger had arrived
and was repairing the bells.
''Lottie," said my aunt rather uneasily,
''the bell-hanger is "A respectable man, ]
remember. 1t would be well to keep him,
perhaps, for the night. His presence
would be protection. Go into ay room.
dear, and take a book off my table for an
excuse, and tell him from me, that as the
weather is so bad, | wish him to remain
to supper, and that Mrs. Wheeler will all
him bed
| hastened to take the message. and
found the workman just descending the
ladder. his work being completed
land if Won will Dlease ia rinp Miss -