Morris tribune., 1880-09-30
ANARROW ESCAPE.

you gOluS nOWs
"Yes; I promised to be the first arrival,
you know; and, please, want your can
did opinion on my appearance. Nurse
thinks look lovely"
II am afraid nurse is partial critic, :"
he returned, with fond smi.e. "You
look very nice, indeed, darling. You are
growing wonderfully like your mo-
ther, child"
knew that this was the highest praise
he could give me, and forgetful alike of
my dignity and extensive train, / ran to
him and clasped both my arms about his
neck.
"You dear old papa! You're sure you
don't mind my leaving you-quite sure9
you won't feel lonely without me, will
And youp
"No, my child-no.
AS drove along with nurse In her
prim Dlack bonnet seated opposite to me,
my heart beat high with nervous anti
cipation. I was going to my first party;
for though was eighteen, papa and I
had lived such retired lives that till late
ly had known nothing of the gaietties
Of girls of my age. Six months previous
ly, however, the Mortons, some old
friends of my fathers had settled in the
neighborhood and at their house I had
begun to appear in society. Already on
the strength of few musical and gar
den party or two, I felf myself quite
dissipated person.
When we reached Home Lodge, the
large, comfortable, old country mansion
was ablaze with light, and from the open
door streamed an inviting flood OF warmth
and briIliance. e.
In the hall was seized upon by Louie
ane Lottie Morton the twin sisters.
"Come upstairs to our room," cried
Lottie; we shall have time for chat be-
fore the people arrive"
The sitting-room, specially appropriate
to the girls use, was pretty, cosy apart
ment. A splendid wood fire was burning
on the tiled hearth, and near by a little
table was set forth with dainty repast
Of coffee and delicious cakes.
After we had examined and comment
ed on each others costumes, Louie be-
gan filling our cups just as a young lady
entered the room.
She was friend staying on a visit
Isabella Saloni by name, and by birth
half italian and half English.
She looked remarkably well, in dress
OF heavy saffron tinted brocade, and neck
lace, earrings, and bracelets of dull gold,
and as I gazed at her 1 comprehended
how rarely lovely she was.
was engaged to Rupert Morton for
the first waltz; but we had only taken a
couple of turns round the room when he
whispered:
"Do you particularly wish to finish
this dance9 If not, will you come into
the conservatory It is cool and pleas
ant there"
was about to make some laughing
rejoinder, but look in his gray eyes
stopped me, and merely bowed assent.
Gertrude he said, softly, as we stood
by marble basin wherein tiny foun-
tain sent up sparkling cascade of s1l-
very drops, "do you guess why I asked
you to come up hele?''
glanced up at him saucily.
"Certainly, because it is so cool and
pleasant"
"Ah! that Was only the pretext, the ex-
cuse. Surely you can guess my real rea-
son, darling. You know 1--we you, do
you nOt2''
strove to cover my burning cheeks
with my hands; but he gently removed
them, and held them in his own as he
bent his head to the level of my down.
cast eyes.
"Have you not word to say to met
Can you not give me one word of hope2"
7 could not at first speak, but he read
his answer in my silence.
"Rupert," murmured presently, rails
ing my head from its resting place on
his shoulder; 'do you know II thought
Il was afraid that you liked Miss Salo.
ni.'
"You were mistaken. No man could
help admiring her; but believe me, be-
yond admiration, have never given her
thought
The rest OF the evening sped swiftly
by. If I had been happy before, was
ten times happier now. I danced every
dance, and at supper Rupert contrived to
secure secluded corner, where he de-
tanned me so leng that mortally offend
ed one partner who sought me nigh and
low in vain.
was to remain at Home Lodge and
go home the next day, nurse having
brought everything requisite for my stay,
and placed ready before she returned.
Having exchanged my ball-dress for
comfortable dressing gown, and my sat
in shoes for fur-lined slippers, I sat by
the fire in my bedroom, dreaming bright
dreams, and weaving fairy fancies. I
loved and was loved. Was not that the
height of human bliss2 Could any other
joy compare with it9 Truly it is written:
/ There's nothing half SO sweet in life,
AS loves young dream"
It was long ere / got into bed, but
once there fell into deep slumber, and
neither memories of the past nor plans
for the future disturbed it.
Suddenly awcke -awoke with full
sure consciousness of the presence of
some one or some thing terrible in the
room. Who or what it was could net
tell, and dared not attempt to find out.
I lay with nay face turned to the wall,
every limb stuff and still, and the blood
in my veins curdling with fear.
At last an icy finger touched me; and,
as though under some mesmeric influence
I slowly moved my head.
/ The fire had died out, but night-lamp
was dimly burning, and by its light I
saw-I saw loosely-robed figure, with
cloud of raven hair falling almest to
its knees; luridly glowing eyes, set in q
deathly pallid face; and in one appraised
hand cleaning stilletto-jewelled ham
died and finely pointed.
/ could utter no cry; could make no
movement. remained spellbound and
dumb, my eyeballs staring and my lips
blanching, knowing that was at the
mercy Of a mad woman, and recognizing
in that mad woman Isabella Saloni.
/ Again she touched nae; and, though
shuddered I could not draw away.
"You sleep soundly," she said, ssbut
| you have awaKed at last. The sleep of