Litchfield enquirer., 1881-03-24


 Annette, my sweet, do not look 80 sorrow :. full, Bernhardt said, encircing her with his arm; why, the loss of this fortune seems to trouble you more than it does me-
 For your sake, she faltered for myself, | sm not afraid Of poverty. It is so strange, 30 inexplicable, that the will should have disap- peared in this way she continued. T am convinced that it is in the room at this mo- ment, if we only knew where to look for it.
 She moved from his side and cast her eyes thoughtfully round. He shook his head.
 1t is not here, or we should have found it, he said. Try to think no more of it. dear; we cannot-' The words died on his lips as he looked at his companion. She was stand ing in the middle of the room, her hands hanging at her sides, her eyes fixed and diliat ed, gazing into space. Every trace of color had faded from her face. He sprang to her side.
 Great heavens, Annette-what is it ? Are you ill? rs She drew long breath, and looked at him like one awaking from a dream. NO am not i'll, she whispered, but have the, strang- est feeling As if-as if there were someone else in the room with us--' She shlvered and glanced nervously round and long, shadowy apartment, which was only half-lighted by the lamp on the chimney piece, Bernhardt involuntarily did the same, but they were .he only occupants. .,~. ss-.-- eg .s ~7 You see that we are alone, he said. You are tired and overexcited, darling; you need rest. It is showing so heavily that you can not leave the house at present. Go and lie down, and will send Ursula to you.' She acquiesced mechanically, and allowed him to lead her to the door. Her hand was deadly cold, and her eyes looked dreamy and absent. He kissed her cheek, and detained her 8 moment, looking into her face with anx- ious tenderness; but she turned from him without another word, and mounted the stairs to the little room she had called her ewn.
 When the moons silver disc rose behind the Belfry Tower. one broad ray of cold ethereal light streamed on to the bed where Annette lay, still dressed, and sleeping profoundly: For several hours her rest was tranquil and obliviOus, but toward midnight she was vis- ited by a strange dream.
 She seemed to be still lying on the bed, in the half conscious state between sleeping and waking. Her eyes were open, but she was only vaguely aware of surrounding objects, of the moonlight streaming on the bed, and the glimpse of white house roofs seen through the window opposite.
 Suddenly she was reused, she thought, from this dreamy lethargy, by voice in the room, close to her, calling her name. She started and sat up, thrilling in every Derve, but not
 
 looked toward the spot from which the voice proceeded.
 The room, save where the moonbeams light ed it, was lost in shadow, yet she fancied she cOQld discern the outlines of figure, ,stand- ing near the hearth. As she looked, it moved forward into the ray of light by the bedside, and, then, with a sudden shock of startled re- cognitiOn, she saw that it was Monsieur Van- derhaven. who stood looking at her with eyes full of urgent purpose.
 Annette I" the low but imperious voice re- peated. 'the will must be found Come [" and he beckoned her toward the door.
 After the first moment she seemed, with the curious insensIbility of the dreamer, to feel neither surprise nor fear. She rose without hesitation and followed him down the stairs to the banquet-room. The door was partly open and the room within was lighted by lamp, as when she had seen 1t last.
 Her conductor crossed over to the hearth, and extended his hand to the portrait of his ancestor, which hung on panel to the left of the chimney piece.
 Master Simon can keep secret he said, with the grave smile so familiar to her; you would never have thought of searching here. Lookr
 She pressed forward eagerly as he touched the picture, but at the same moment hand was lad on her shoulder, and another voice exclaimed, "Annettel'
 Then with a start and cry she woke-woke in earnest this time-to find herself standing in the Banquet room, with Bernhardt's aston ished face bending over her. She looked round bewilderedly, tremblingIy with a vague terror. Then, as remembrance returned, an expression of blank disappointment crossed her face.
 Oh, was it only dream 2? z-@a.F
 Were you asleepr he exclaimed. If had known that 1 should not have ventured to wake you. l was sorting and destroying some old sketches in these folos. It took me long, CT than had expected. but had just finished and was about tO leave the room when you entered. You walked straight to the fireplace and looked intently at the portrait You were stretching out your hand towards it when touched you. Did you dream about it, dear 9
 Yes. Oh, Bernhardt, such strange dream -Ss-~-'v71 -
 What was it tell me, he said, making her sit down.
 In low, awe-struck tones she related. it klancing now and then over her shoulder at the shadowy room behind them 1t was so real, so vivid she concluded that can hardly believe it was merely dream
 He had listened with breathless interest and growing excitement. When she had finished be started to his feet.
 | has given us a clew to the hiding place of the will It never occurred to us that there might be cupboard behInh that portrait r
 Annette clasped her hands, 'Oh-let us look at onceP
 Hold the lamp, 1 will take the picture down. he said but he found this was inn possible. as it was fastened with cramps to the panelled wall. There must be spring somewhere he muttered, passing his hand down by the side of the frame, 'or eise-stay, what is this?
 His fingers had encountered slight obstruc- tion in the polished woodwork; small metal knob or button, which was effectually con- cealed by the shadow of the heavy frame.
 He pressed it, and immediately the panel with the portrait upon it started open, discios- ing deep square cupboard The lovers look ed at each other, :oo excited to speak . :.
 Hold the lamp higher he whispered, put ting his hand into the::cupboard. r'
 The frs. thing brought to light was bundle Of old letters, tied with faded ribbon, and still retaining the ghost of their first perfume; then came a miniature in case of Bernhardt's father, when boy, and fnally-a folded sheet of letter paper, inscribed in Monsieur Nanderhaven's clear commercial hand, This is my last Will
 Annette placed the lamp on the table, and looked over his shoulder as he unfolded the paper. One glance showed him that the con- tents were as she had stated The business was left to his cousin, and all the rest, without reserve or condition, was his own; Their eyes met in an eloquent look.
 But for your dream we should never have found il. he said. How strange-how mys. teriOus it seems.
 Was it only a dreamg she questioned, un- der her breath.
 They were silent; feeling of awe and rev. erence overpowered them. If he knows, he is happy now as we are, the young man said at last. They clasped hands and looked into each others eyes, reading there the brightness of the future, from which all shadows and perplexities had passed away.
 And as they stood thus. hand in hand, in the silence of the sleeping house, suddenly there rang out from the Belfrey Tower the midnight casillon, ushering in the blessed Christmas morn. Sweet. strange, solemn chimes, falling on the silence in silvery