The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-07-20
A NIGHT OF TERROR.

The wind blew in heavy blasts. Anon
the lightning flashed, and deep, mutter-
ing thunder caused the old house at
Elmwood to tremble to its very center on
the night of the eighth of December,
1871. The shrieking wind struck terror
to the inmates, ali elderly lady and her
granddaughter, and as chance and the
stormy night brought Edward Harvey
along the road to Cedarville, the nearest
village and postofice, he too, claimed
the protecting shelter of Elmwood House
for the night. Heartily was he well
coined by the mistress and her grand
daughter, the younger lady, Rosa Ash
ton, experiencing sense of relief at
r having within the old house one male
protector, although he was an entire
stranger.
As the three sat before the large, open
fireplace, louder and more tempestuous
gales succeeded each peal of thunder,
and rs if agonized by its own destruction
the old elm creaked louder than before
as it fell upon the house, torn from the
earth by its very roots.
sOh, grandmother! what is that fear
full noise? The house is falling-the roof
is torn Off shrieked the girl.
mo, no, my child; it is the fall of our
old friend the elm which has faced the
storms of many winters; but, like many
of those who in days gone by have rested
beneath its spreading branches, it
has fallen"
The quiet, sad dignity of the old lady
aroused Edward Harvey from his apathy
and he looked intently at the mistress of
Elmwood for the first time since he en-
tered the room.
"And so this is Mrs. Ashton" said he
to himself. "Well may they say she is
pretty Mrs. Ashton. Why, do believe
1 am really offended to hear the younger
lady call her grandmother. Grand
mother, indeedw he repeated; IF they
are not sisters, 1 will acknowledge that
Edward Harvey, attorney -at-law, is q
poor Judge of female appearance. Yes,
and q poorer Judge of woman's age
Well, Edward Harvey. you should bless
this storm, for who knows?" said he still
Illuminating.
His self communing was interrupted
ny pActViuS wiz oOAcoAus WulCu
seemed to issue from an adjoining room.
Involuntarily he sprang to his feet and
rushed to the door, and grasping the
knob, had partly drawn the bolt, when
the command of Mrs. Ashton caused
him to stand back abashed.
"Where would you go, sir? II any
thing Is wanting allow me TO call . ser
want"
1T would protect you, madam, from
that voice." he stammered.
"When need your protection will
ask you for it." she said.
More dazed by the hardness of the
mistress Of Elmwood than abashed by
his excitement, he seated himself oppo
-sote the younger lady, who he observed
Wa pale and nervoualy excited. So ex-
cited did she appear that Harvey felt
. constrained TO move his chair nearer her,
rsmarking:
miss Ashton, tell me the cause Of
this horrible mystery."
For mercy's axe, say NO more!" she
exclaimed excitsdly.
In an instant the excitement was over,
and her cheeks were scarlet.
II viii see about supper. The storm
seems to be spent and tie servants can
have no more fsaT, ahs Gid.
Lat alone. Harvey bsGAn to pass the
room with nervous has9e.
care thsss lonely vo0en The posses-
soEs u sons uy111Eio1e seoretr be
thoueht. TIE o1dor 1ndy appsnssd
ealn, snd hassh, rsnsn1ing n kislv -
tsmul 10 runh - ~ aaG1ro1n6o q ~
poof person. We, 10 doaht, W. n
moro8l tuEsog, foe DID a1yoas sopoan -