The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-07-03


was shaking. Her lips grew white and
II hope he was handsome?"'
"VerY; and mouth like a girls"
Her foreherd grew puckered into
scow!s.
"And what clse?"
"He wore ring ssith Nood-red heartw
I pray that I may never on earth see
face SO fearful as was madam's at that
moment. I put up quick prayer, for I
thought she was about to kill me. She
clutched both hands about my arm and
held me closely to her.
Chow dare you, girl?"
II could not help seeing him. said.
'There he is now outside, looking in at
the window"
She covered down at my feet, and COW
cred her eyes with her mantle. 1 do not
know how long I etood there, or how
long she knelt without moving. know
the figure stood motionless at the window,
looking at us with steady, unwavering
eyes. Would he never go? Would he
hold us forever with that quiet, unfiinch-
ing gaze2
At that moment shriekcd, and madam
sprang to her feet. A crowd came to see
US, and 1 fell back fainting.
In the morning We started. 1t was
summer time, and our way led through
the richest of earth's gardens. All was
beautiful from the sky downward--birds,
flowers, fruit, and velvety green-sward.
In spite Of everything, was happy.
ave will soon have a long rest" mad
am said, as We whirled along. "You
shall hear from the brother and sister at
home"
was looking out of the window as
she spoke. AS turned my face toward
her l felt some one touch my shoulder. ]
turned around quickly. The strange,
was sitting near us in the train.
His presence seemed so real to me that
I spoke out angrily:
''lf you please, SIR
Madam looked around.
''To whom are you speaking, Louise?
knew, then, that whatever l saw
whether man or evil one, Madam Rosis
was Conscious of nothing. looked over
the face-at the blue eyes and gentle
mouth, down at the white hands and red
ring without word.
"Monsieur Rosis," thought. But why
does he follow MADAME
We rode the day through with the fair
immovable figure beside us, and the doc.
tor in the next carriage. The one seemed
to counterfeit the influence of the other
Nothing could harm me.
At night We came to our resting
place.
Here we shall find the ring" said
madam, as we hurried out Of the train
ut is like an inspiration. feel ii
through and through
We did not go to q hotel, but to q
house near the outskirts Of the town. !
know the coachman of the fly stared al
madam wncn she told HIM where to drive
us. The night was very dark. Looking
around for my friend could not see him.
and thought was lost.
Warm as was the night, the place te
which we went was chilly. Madam had
fires made in the CRATES and ordered wine
to be brought.
"Where are we?" / asked.
"Pardon me for not saying. This il
my home. No one cares to intrude here.
No one? Was madam so sure? As SHE
spoke, the pleasant-faccd stranger, ghos
or man, came noiselessly in, and sat dowr
by the fire. He wore the same expression
as when had first seen him. CHANGING
at his hand, saw the blood-red ring
glowing upon his finger.
"You do not drink" madam said, as
sat holding the wine glass. "What is it?'
put down the glass; with shuddcr.
"Madam Rosis, want to go home"
"This is your home. By day it is beau
tifui. Tonight know there are shad
ows-and it is cold. We can have NOR,
fire.
"That is not it want my sister.
seem to be sitting here
"Well, well-1 will play to you. vii
| sing"
She threw open the piano. Good heav
ems, what wall came from it as her deli
cate fingers ran up and down the keys
Wild unrest, agony, despair foun1
voice in the melody which she awakened
Then her little hands battered softly
softly down, and her voice broke on
softly to the wierd accompaniment
Through it all I could hear the tallin,
of the ghostly feet; the whispers fron
shadowy lips. The stranger listened a
her side; so close was his face to hers
that in the unsteady light they seeme'
to mingle and waver together.
My God! where was I? The atmo
phere was like that of tomb! Was
among flesh-and-blood realities, or had
been drawn into the charncl house to e.
patiate some sin which had committed
Sin, indeed what did know of sin?
Don't madam-don't!' I cried, sYo
are driving me mad! Let me go-in tn
name of mercy let me go!"
"You need rest" spoke madam. "Yo
are nervous. You shall 60 to your room
and have supper there"
She led me like child. What coul
I do?
Up stairs it was more cheerful. Th
fire was fresh, and the lamps gave out
clear, steady light. I drew a sigp of n
lie
"You like it," said madam.
"How can I help it?''
II am glad. N room is opposite.
! Tile nlgnt, II you arc Wake1ul, you ca
come to me. But think you will slee]
will send your supper up in moment.
did not wait for supper. Thorough
ly exhausted, bodily and mentally,I san
upon the bed. I do not know how Ion
I slept. I started up suddenly from m
pillow, fearful shrek echoing throug
my brain. It was madam's voice tia
had aroused me. In moment thc1
was sound Of hurried feet in the hall,
murmur of strange voices, and some on
threw open the door opposite mine.
stole softly out, and crossed the hall t
madam's room. There was a group {
strange people standing by her bedside
A voice said, "She is deadp'
"Wlat is it--what killed here" as
ed.
~ do not know. Probably her hea,
was diseased. The detectives have bee