Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-06-08
no light of any kind save the dull

she lit candle, and said, Come, i
YOU are rested, will take you to you
rooms and your pupil"
Margaret followed her in a aueerly
indifferent mood: all her interest and
curiosity seemed to have evaporated
"So soon," she muttered-" so soon
have l caught the dream like feeling oi
the place" Through long marble halls,
cold and dark, they passed, until they
reached the eastern wing. Here there
was broad flight OF handsomely
carpeted stairs, which led them into q
suite of splendid apartments. The first
seemed to be kind OF library and
music'room; the second, a parlor oi
great size, and very richly furnished.
But Margarot's attention was at once
fixed upon child who was lying in q
graceful attitude on a rug OF long whito
silky wool. The fire glowed over her
white cheeks, and made strange glanc-
ing light in her silken dress, and
tipped with rosy hue tho little white
sandals of the tiny lady. She looked
curiously mp from her book as the two
women approached her, and when Mrs.
Selby said, "Julia, this is your new
governess," she stood up and examined
Margaret with fTankness that had in
it something extremely charming.
Evidently the scrutiny satisfied her.
She laid her daintily- -mittened band in
Margnrefs and said: "You will do. l
shall like you, know. Mrs. Selby, you
may so away now"
Mrs Selby smiled ct the small lady's
air of authority, but took with apparent
pleasure her dismissal. Then Margaret
drew chair to the FIRE and sat down,
determined to await patiently the next
move in this strange life drama.
Julia seemed to have also ,he Fame
intention. She sat on stool in front
OF Margaret, studying alternately the
fire, picture in her book, and then the
face OF her companion. There was
something uncannily premature in the
elf-like child, even her wonderful beauty
had an intelligence about it boldly at
variance with the baby frook and siken
sandals.
BY. and-bye the child stepped lightly
across the rug, and laying her open
book on Margaret's knee, said, grayely:
I" DO you believe Robinson Crusoe ever
saw that one-naked footprint on the
sands2"
No. answered Margaret, boldly.
"l do" said the child, with a posi-
tiyeness that dctied contradiction.
"Did you ever read the Castle OF
Otranto p
"Yes."
"You don't think the castle was
haunted, eh ?"
Certainly not" answered Margaret,
with still moro decided emphasis
"Oh, but it was This castle is
haunted too. You will find that ont
all my governesses do" said the weird
little woman, nodding her head myster-
iously.
Margaret was 30 confused and
astonished by the calm assurance OF
this assertion that she could think Of no
commonplace that was strong enough
for contradiction, and half afraid Of her
eerie companion sho asked, "When do
you go to bed, my lady?"
When I get sleepy. lam not sleepy
tonight. Last night I heard some one
walking about in the next room at this
time. want to see IL they come back
again"
"They1 Whom do you mean2'
"I don't know; do your Alison
says they are my ancestors. What are
ancestors?"
By this time a creeping feeling of
fear that she could not quite control
took possession of Margaret. She
glanced cautiously behind and around
her; even the strange shapes that the
spider-like legs Of the furniture took
in the dim corners OF tho large room
filled her with vague, unreasonable
terror.
"Oh, you are frightened |" said the
child, in q voice that was half scornful,
half indignant.
This imputation Margaret stoutly de-
nied; bu. in spite of ell her efforts 10
appear Indifferent she perceived that
the keen mental sight of her pupil had
measured her weakness and despised
her for It.
"Touch the bell"
Margaret obeyed, and almost immedi.
ately an old woman appeared.
"You may put me to bed now, Alison. |
I am very much disappointed;r and,
with the shadow of courtesy sho dis. |