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

MISS ASQtOu certainty was IearIul OF some
calamity. Well have excited myself
unreasonably, without knowing why or
for whom. Ha, ha! we'll may these la
dies laugh at my folly-rushing to the
rescue of some old waiting woman who
feared that the house was tumbling on
her head when the old tree fell"
Ashamed of his excitement, he re-
sumed his chair near the fire. Not too
soon, for both ladies entered the room as
he seated himself.
II have ordered the servants to serve
tea in this room. During the storm their
fear was so great that they have neg
lected to spread the table in the dining
room," said Mrs. Ashton.
ST trust, madam, you will pardon my
excitement Of few moments ago. /
assure you I was actuated by the fear
that some one was suffering, and that 1
might render assistance to whoever it
was" said Mr.. Harvey.
1--WE will forget the occurrence" re
piled Mrs. Ashton, smiling.
The servant entered the room bearing
tray and the fair entertainers and their
guests were soon discoursing pleasantly
over the sumptuous viands before them.
AS soon as the tray was removed, Mr..
Harvey begged Miss Ashton to favor
him. with song. Unhesitatingly she
complied, and seating herself at the
piano sang in contralto voice of much
power and sweetness, '"The Rose Bush"
Harvey remained entranced long after
the last note of the beautiful song was
hushed.
Beautiful, beautiful" he exclaimed.
do sing another, Miss Ashton. Any
thing that you may select, for am a
poor musician and know but few songs
by name"
"Not tonight, Mr.. Harvey. I must
beg that you will excuse me-"
''Ring the bell, Rosa; it is quite late"
said Mrs. Ashton.
Miss Ashton rang a small bell upon the
center table, and servant woman and an
elderly man entered the room and seated
themselves upon chairs in the farthest
corner.
"Mr. Harvey, it is my custom to have
family prayers. Will you remain?"
"Gladly, madam"
| In pure, sweet voice she read the
fifteenth chapter of st. John, and after
kneeling invoked from on high pro-
lection through the night.
As soon as the invocation was finished
they arose. The ladies retired from the
room. Conducted by the man servant,
Harvey assembled two flights of stairs and
entered room on the right of the hall
a neat little room. Upon the mantel an
exquisitely arranged flower vase scented
the room with the perfume of geraniuns,
heliotropes and narcissus.
"Do you think the storm is wholly
over?" asked Harvey of the servant, after
gazing admiringly at the room.
II fear not, he replied; apparently re-
arranging the cloth on the center table.
IT looked out before prayers, and the
night is as dark as death. You may ex-
pect another storm before morning.
Can do anything for you. SIR" as he
walked toward the door,.
Nothing, thank you"
Thomas Hatters-I may as well call
hin by name now as later-left the room
and Mr.. Harvey seated himself at once
near the table upon which stood the
lamp.
"Well, we'll, strange incidents have
happened this night" said he to him
self. IT have formed the acquaintance
of two as lovely ladies as ever facinated
an old bachelor, but l am impressed
with the idea that these ladies have a
deep secret which they are hiding from
the world. Heigho! Why, what can
this be?"
He picked up a note addressed to Ed
ward Harvey, Esq, which lay on the
table before him. He began to read it
aloud:
IF you will be advised. be ready for
an emergency. am fearfully impressed
with imper ding danger.
Respectfully, Rosa ASHTON"
Determined not to sleep that night,
Harvey remained seated at the table for
hours. The lamp began to flicker and
then slowly burned out, leaving him in
total darkness. The prediction of
Thomas Hatters proved true. At mid
night the wind began to blow in fearful
gusts, the rain fell in torrents, and the
wind shrieking around the gablos of the
old house dashed the window shutters to
and fro with great force. He endeav-
ored once or twice to close the beating
shutter, but his efforts were futile; the
clasp was broken.
"What fearful night Perchance
should go to the ladies, who are perhaps
in terror; but no, I may be deemed
ofiicious."
| His attention was attracted by hasty
and forcible wrench of the door knob,
the door was forced open, and by the
light Of lamp hanging in the hall he
aaw the vild faoa of An old man thruak