The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-04

cupboard between them. We used +
stand as little children between tn
drawers and the inner door
and wonder, suppOsing we wer
shut in, whether we cOuld breath
long in that narrow Enclosure, or b
heard by any one without, supposing-
awful thOught-we were forgotten, o
the outer door was shut l remembe
thinking of it in bed at night, as nerv
Gus children will think of such things
ill | was cold with horror. Both thes,
two doors shut with a catch which wa.
not lock; but we children were for
hidden ever to open or shut them eX
cept when Mr. Lester was present. L
was doubtful if any one else knew how
TO open them, for no one ever tried
The two side doors opened with curiou:
| keys, which stood in the locks, chained
to the armOire. They were valuables il
themselves. The great key of the cen,
I ter door, worth a hundred pounds oil
| more, was considered too sacred for com,
mon eyes, and lay in velvet-lined ease
in Mr.. Testers own keeping-brought
out only occasionally to show to those
who could appreciate such things.
1t stood there in the summer twilight.
| looming darkly in the quiet room,
| darker than the rest Of the house, as
| back rooms in London often are. Chilly,
! it seemed to me, in my thin white dress.
light. Turning to leave the room saw
"A man lying prone on his face upon the
sofa: 50 still and so straight, and so
strange in this attitude, that / could
only stare for a minute, and wonder
whether he was asleep or dead. His
hands were over his ears. grasping his
hair, as in pain; and noticed the soles
of his boots turned quite up, rs one no.
tees trihes in the midst of alarm or
bewildcrment The nails in his boots
showed ne was not dressed for dinner.
His hat was lying on the floor on its
side. His face | could not see: but |
knew it was Jack March, and l touched
his arm in wonder.
Jack, are YOU awake? Are you
asleep? What is it?' l asked, with
growing alarm. Was to find some
thing strange in every room | entered
in this house? Jack l said again.
He turned, and l saw his wild. haggard
face, that looked at me with vague eyes
that seemed not to see; and then he put
his head down with moan and covered
his ears once more, as if TO shut out
sight and sound. The room felt darker
and chillier for this silent figure, and
the gaunt old armoire seemed bigger
and more oppressive. ran out of the
room in a sort of panic. Upstairs the
drawing-rOOm door stood open. The
glow of the sunset was over the room,
bright with flowers and pictures, and
the open windows showed the balconies,
lined with red cloth, and ready for the
guests next day. Silence here, and
silent figures, two of them-one crouched
upon the floor, with arms Outstretched
upon a sofa; another lying half across
an ottoman-the brides mother and
sister. As ] came in and spoke, now
fairly bewildered and frightened, Mrs.
Lester rose up with a despairing wall.
'.Saleen, Saleen" She stood shaking
and crying out my name.
Dear Mrs. Lester | said, taking
the poor wOman's cold hands, ''cOme
and sit down. and tell me what has
happened-Katet" | called to the girl
on the floor, ''cOme and give me that
cushion" She came mechanically, and
helped her mother to the armchair.
Now. tell me, if You can''-But Mrs.
Testers head had fallen back upon the
cushion, and she had tainted. The girl
aroused herself.
mo wonder" she said; ''she had
eaten nothing all day; and then all this.
It's too awful. Saleen. | shall 90 mad
if think; and papa has never come
backr'
Where is your father?
81 don't know. We sent down to the
club and to the house; they can't find |
him. And we've searched his room, |
and it's not there. It's nowhere. And |
Jack is nearly wild; and we daren't
break it open"
1T What, child? Can't you say |
what you are talking about? l shall 90 |
mad next. What can't you find? And |
what ais You alp"
"Saleen, it's Mary. Mary is in there;
md the key is gone, and papa is away;
md she's diving there-suffOcating:"
md the girl flung herself on the floor
With wild sobS and tears. Mrs. Lester
ay forgotten in her swoon; Kate rolled
n unavailing misery on the carpet. l
led down stairs. The servants were as
,usy as ever. knew it all now.
Good Godr' said to the butler. who
vas carrying a tray of glass, ''are you
.oing on with all this useless folly, and
hat girl dying in the next room? Is no
ne going to try to save her?'
Davis stood still and looked at me
'ityingly; he shook his head sadly and
vent on.
rushed into the street; a policeman
vas standing near the carts. Come
ere." | said. ''You''-to another man
Ego and get blacksmith. Run for
our life! Tell them to bring tools to
pen locks and unscrew everything.
Iun! And you get a Ratchet; get any
hing; come and break open the great
abinet." l gasped to the servants.
rho came out to see what it all meant:
Don't lose 4 moment. Great heaven.
he time that has been lost already!
hey obeyed me, dispensing hither and
hither. 1t seemed hours before the I
len came back with tools. Try the ;
inges first. Are there screws?" There
-aS that chance, and they worked at
hem, removing several heavy curious |
ails and screws, but seeming no nearer :
re object; the door was fast and firm.
O, break it DOWN. / screamed at last:
break it with the Ratchet What does |
nything matter. but her life-her life''
Her life said some strange voice
ose to me. and there stood Jack March s
yaying like drunken man, with scared I
res and wild hair. Was his reason :
one or going? I
''DOn'tr' he shouted to workman {
no was lifting the Ratchet to break in ;
,e door. ssNot I'D there. Her head"