The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-28
THE MYSTERY In PAL
ACE GARDENS,
By MRS ]. q. RIDDELL.
CHAPTER Nv.

VIAL 1IlIs W.
And 80 the house in Palace Gardens
was again occupied, and the Moffats be-
came its tenants. Very much changed
indeed did it soon appear from what it
had been in those recent times. The
grounds were all put in prime order and
the outside of the mansion freshened up,
and those of the neighborhood and pass
ers-by who had formerly known it 20 well
would heave . sigh Of relief as they saw
its brighter and mora cheerful aspect.
Inside no expense was spared in decor
ating and furnishing the various apart
ments. Lady Aofat determined that
none Of her acquaintances should outdo
her in this Neither did they, perhaps.
And more than ever now Lady Mofat
engaged in the perpetual rounds of
fashionable gayety snd pleasures. Visit
ing, dining or supping, or receiving at
home, she went her way with an in
creased energy. ''
Sir John took things easy and soon
made himself quite at home in his
new house. Rachael inherited more of
her fathers nature, and was Of quiet,
retiring disposition. She was seldom
anxious or even willing to attend her
mother in the constant whirl of society in
which the latter engaged. She preferred
y to be at home and loved the room she
had selected at the top of the house.
Lady Moffat had at first objected to this.
"You will fall into moping If you stay
up there" said she. But the pleading
Of Rachael and the intercession of Sir
John at length prevailed.
And thus passed six months or more,
gaily for Lady Moffat, quietly for Sir
John and Rachael. Rachaeps twenty
second birthday was at hand, and, in
honor of the occasion, nothing would
satisfy Lady Motfat's ambitious notions
but grand ball, Rachael's plea for a
simple evening party being entirely ig-
nored.
1t was splendid affair, this birth night
ball, and agreeably to Lady Moffat's
widespread invitations the guests focked
in almost countless numbers to the hos
pitahle mansion and early in the even
ing the crowd became a jam. Lady
M6fat was in her glory in this gay crowd
and seemed never to tire of fitting about
in the discharge Of her duties as hostess.
Rachael to please her mother had laid
aside some of her usual reserve and
joined heartily in the joyous service of
which she Was the supposed center.
Among others present on this occasion
was Miss Alton, young lady whom
Rachael had often met in society and
who had been an occasional visitor at
the Moffat's. The granddaughter of an
Earl on her mothers side abe had not
married, because of not having discov-
cred one who by birth and wealth could
be for her an eligible match.
Rachael had danced the conventional
I'd number of sets, and the night was now far
spent, and all of her most assidu4us adj
mirers had departed. She was seated on
q sofa, apart from Others, wearied and
longing for the time when she could re-
tire to her own room to rest, when Miss
Alton found her and seated herself be-
side her. .. ali ss..e 1Syl
"Well, my DEAR" said this arch fiat
terer, "you are looking unusually fine
and handsome tonight. But you are
pale and faded, dare say; like myself
you are pretty we'll tired out"
eyes," said Rachael, II am quite tired.
1t is late, is it notr .
Eyes; and the guests are all leaving.
Come, my dear, l am going to impose
OIL you this once. / am going to invite.
myAlf to spend the night with you. 1.
am alone here, and my mother will not
be alarmed. She knows my ways"
The invitation thus asked for was cor
daily extended. The two ladies had re.
tired to their room at the top Of the
house by the time the remaining guests
had left. Soon they were in bed togeth-
er, and Rachael, exhausted with her
evenings efforts, was in a few moments
fast asleep. She. like most persons of
her gentle and happy nature, was sound
sleeper. MissiAfton, however, did not
90 readily yield to the embraces of the,
drowsy god. She laid awake for q long
time as various incidents of the even
ing's entertainment thronged through
her mind. This, of course, would make
her wakeful. .-
An hour after, with vigorous shake,
she awoke the quiet sleeper by her side.
,"Wake up, my dear; wake UP and tell
me what that horrid noise is. Don't you
hear it? Just over the ceiling there.
That hammering, rapping, tapping, what
can il be? It frightens me.
Her companion, thoroughly awakened.
listened and heard also avery curious
noise. It was the sound as of some one
striking light but sharp and quick blows !
on the ceiling of the room just over their
heads. 1t would now and then cease
and again recommends tap, tap, tap sew
erak times in succession, as il deyignedly
by some person endeavoring to attract
their attention. Any one who has expe-
riensed something Of tho kind will know |
how the Imagination will magnify light |
sounds heard in the solemn stiffness of |
night. The noises that would pass en-
tifely unnotieed in the hustle of DAYTIME, |
seem mountains instead Of mole-hilIs at |
night. q -h ,s' - "a. -. g. -
The two ladies', both wide awake, re-
mained q good while listening in wonder |
to these, as it seemed to them, mys-
Tl =. u \