Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-05-24

the Old Hall tonight. | suppose can
get something to drive in?'
There's post horses at the hotel,"
said the porter obviously.
"Take me there then" said Ada. 1t
seemed to her that she walked about a
mile and half after him over q lonely
road. At last they arrived at an inn
entrance, round which there were some
signs ofsleepy village life. After stern
interview with the dull landlord, Ada
succeeded in getting him to have out
po'shsy' and TWO horses for her. A
driver wac extracted from the bar where
he was drinking, he came out surly, and
getting on the box after Ada and ner
| luggage had been waiting some time In
the shay began to whip up the horses.
This amusement he continued to In
dulge in until they arrived at the "Old
Hall" taking the horses az rapid gal
100 up hill and down dale.
The Old Hall stood nigh, with wide
lawn around it, dotted by clumps of
fine tress. On the way Ada was charm
ed by glimpses of the winding silver
stream and the wooded hills about it.
All was very lovely; yet something in
the aspect of the Old Hall made her
shiver as che approached it. 1t was
very dark; only one window seemed
dimly lii; the front door seemed to be
Theoretically scaled. Bat Ada cour-
ageou,ly rang and knocSed and while
she waited for an answer, filed up the
time by payiRg her surly driver the
fabulous sum demanded of her.
At last the door mooyed; it opened
slowly, on the steps stood tall man.
care you the nurse?' he said.
eyes, answered Ada.
81 didn't suppose you could get mere
tonight. Well, come in"
The coachman whipped up his
horse in the familiar style and ratified
away. A servant who looked like a
groom came out and lifted Ada's box
in the hall. a lamp stood on a table
there, and by its light Ada tried to
discover what sort Of house she was
in. She was standing in q big, old
fashioned houseplace. Opposite her,
his hands deeply buried in bis pocket,
stood the man who wss evidently mast
er.
81 told the maid to get a room ready
for you" he said. The man shall light
you up there, and you can zee my wife
in the morning. Shall he bring you
some support"
"If you please" said Ada. "First
III take off my hat, and if you will
allow me IN go to my patient at
once"
'Nonsense" said Mr.. Mertoun;
"you must have sleep after 8 journey"
"But it is my duty to see her first, if
you please, SIR"
Ada followed the man servant up
stairs to little bedroom where he
left her, saying he would bring her
some supper. She washed her
hands and combed out her bright
hair. When he came back again she
said: Shall | find Mr.. Mertoun down
stairs?"
Hes gone to his own room," said !
the groom "and he says missus is |
asleep and not to be disturbed
(which il her room?' asked Ada. 81
must know, because I've come down to
nurse her."
'I'll show you the door," said the
man. He led her little way along
corridor, and pointed up a short stair
case. "The door on the left" he said,
and Immediately hurried off carrying
his light with him.
"rhis is queer house." thought Ada.
However, she found her way back to
her own room by the glimmer OF light
from its doorway. Then taking her
candle, she went straight to the door Of
the room the man had shown her. She
knocked gently; lhere WAS no answer.
So she quietly turned the handle and
looked IN. Asolitaly candle lit large
room; she could but dimly perceive
that ON the bed lay woman, who see
ing her, started no as if in terror, and
then fell helplessy back again. Evi.
IDENTIFY this was the sick room. Ada
shut her door, put down her candle and
approached the bed
Don't be frightened" she said; 81
am nurse your sister has sent down
TO take care of you"
81 thought rou were spirit" said
Agatha Mertoun; III have had a strange
vision to-day" Then she relapsed into
silence aud seemed to forget Ada's pres
ence. Alter awhile shc spoke again. 81
am dying" she said.
Ada went close to her and looked into
her eyes. They were very strange. Sud.
denly the unhappy woman was seized
with violent sickness. Ada, with her
quick wits noticed some thing which
made her wonder. When the patient.
weary and exhausted, lay back again on
her pillow, she began TO make a tour of
the room. There We're great many
bottles in different places. She took out
all the corks and smeled at the contsnts.
Suddenly, while thus engaged, she hap.
pene6 To look toward the bed. and met
Agatha's eyes fixed on her with a gaze
full of some extraordinary meaning or
intelligence. 1t almost frightened even
Ada She put down, the bottle quickly
and went to the bed side. But Agatha
had closed her eyes, rs if too weak to
keep them opened. Looking closely at
her, Ada realized how wonderfully love
| ly she was, in spite of the deadly palor
Other face. Suddenly thesickness came;
and then violent spasm.
This is queer sort of auemia, " said