The National tribune., 1881-12-17


she had expected to see, though she had lived
many times in imagination through this moment
she did not exactly know. But certainly this
that she saw was so marvellous as to take hel
breath way.
1t was woman's form-tall, slender, and clad
in robe of dazzling whiteness 1t leant against
the parapet of the terrace; it had streaming hail
of ruddy gold and a white upturned face, the
eyes fixed wistfully on her window, which was
at that moment the only point of light in the
whole frontage of the house.
Ellen Montague was before all things tender
hearted girl. Acting ON her pitying impulse, she
threw up her window.
"Wait moment" she whispered to the strange
visitor, who gazed at her with changeless face
II will come to you"
Then with beating heart, she ran along the
passage, opened silently the door of the large old
dining-hall and few across it. Oh, how cold it
was! and the ray of pale moonlight straying
through the shutter-chincks-ho CHASTITY But
for the intensest pity Ellen would have run back
shivering to her room.
But she was brave girl, and she never actually
hesitatcd for a moment. With trembling fingers
she lifted the shutter bar, and presently she was
standing outside upon the terrace, half fexpecting
almost hoping to find the apparition gone. But
no! There was the White Lady, leaning against
the parapet; her eyes, which Ellen saw now were
the most beautiful eyes in the world, fixed still
upon the lighted window.
She was so beautiful, strange, and unearthly,
that the young girl shiyered. Could this really
be being of the upper air? 1t was necessary
to find out. Ellen felt she must fight down her
timorous awe, so she went quite close to her
mysterious visitor and touched her on the arm.
Then the sorrowful eyes were turned from the
window to her face but they expressed neither
surprise nor curiosity.
why are you out here in such night? Can
[ do anything to help you?" said Ellen tremu-
lously"
II am tired. want to get away-to hide-to
rest" was the answer, given in a voice of the
most thrilling pathos
"Have you come far?" asked Ellen. "Where
do you ive?"
"Live! l live nowhere. am dead Have
they not told you? died on that dreadful night
Oh, God! The fames-how they hiss! Hide
NE! hide mel" The voice had risen to
shrek; it dropped suddenly into soft, pathetic
"I am looking for a grave" she murmured |
Il told him / hated the dark, and he said it |
should be light there. want to have light in |
ny grave" AS if unconcious of Ellen's presence
he turned her eyes upwards again towards the !
lighted window.
Ellen's teeth chartered with cold and nervous
less What was she to do? Beyond doubt
his was a poor distraught creature who had |
escaped from her attendants. It might be dan
;erous to take her in. But to leave her out
My to form her resolution. Laying her hand
pon the strangers arm, she drew her with gentle
cree towards the window of the dining-hal
"Come to the light" she said soothingly. "You
an rest there. l will hide you. Yes,n as the
ady shrank from her touch; "you need not be
fraid Of me. Come"
"Will you take me ..there?" said the stranger.
ointing to the lights.
"Yes; that is my room. Good heavens! how
old your hands are. You might be dead Come
4; come quickly"
Then her guiding touch was followed and
resently they two were by the bright wood fire,
nu Ellcl III licI LulntStIdtiCHS lOISOU neT
uperstiti0us fears. Her strange guest was
entler than a child. 1t was impossible to fear
er. She accepted Ellen's attention in touch
lgly passive way, and now and then she gave
tterance to words such as those she had spoken
n the terrace with little apparent significance
sequence; but she was perfectly calm now
ne might have fancied she had found the refuge
IT which she had long been seeking.
And meanwhile the Old Year tolled itself out,
le New Year came into being. "a strange be-
inning for my year." said Ellen, as the first
roke of twelve tolled out from the deep-voiced
oc1 in the hall she was busy at the moment,
irring some milk which he had fetched from
le kitchen in little saucepan on the fire, for
le was sure her guest must be famished. "But
srhaps it is not bad beginning" she added
Before the first hour of the year had run its :
urse the White Lady was in Ellens bed Sleep
g as peacefully as if Hillbury Manor House had =,
zen her home for years. ;
To be continued .
TOMS WIFE.