Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-12-03


Janet was startled from her reflection
by the entrance Of Sister Clare. She dit
not see her, as she was not then looking
through the key-hole; but she heard he
footstep, and the sound quickened the pull
sation of her heart once more. Indeed, i
beat SO loudly, and with such violence
that poor Janet fancied it would attrac
the Sisters attention.
But no such catastrophe occurred. TIL,
chamber door was fastened in the ordinar,
way, without any extraordinary hesitation
and silence ensued, which. presently con
vinced the frightened Janet that the watch
er had resumed her vigil, by seating her
self in her chair with book, as was he
custom, or by stretching herself on the lit
tie sofa bedstead which had been placed il
the room, to enjoy a slumber which th'
slightest noise would disturb.
The continued silence acted as sedativ,
on Janet's nerves. She soon became calm
er, and in little while was sufficiently re
covered from her agitation to venture
peep through the key-hole.
Yes; Sister Glare was reading, but ever!
now and then she took out her watch ant
looked at it, as if her time for this amuse
ment was limited.
Janet wondered what this could mean
but she had not to puzze herself with con
lectures for more than half an hour.
At the end of that time Sister Glare aros,
quietly, closed her book with paper knifi
between the pages to mark the spot where
she had left off reading, and went to Lit
tie table at the further end of the apart
ment. What Sister Clare was doing a
this little table Janet could not see because
it was out of the range of her vision; bu
she thought she was re-arranging som'
small articles of vertu upon it, until she wa
astonished by an unexpected and familiar
sound-the unlocking of Lady Maud's
dressing-case.
For moment Janet was so astonished
that she nearly betrayed her presence il
the wardrobe.
A little reflection, however, soon remov
ed the suspicion which took instant and in
voluntary possession of her mind, and as
sured her that straightforward, self-sacrifc-
ing Sister Clare would not do anything fol
which she had not authority.
Yet it seemed strange that she should
meddle with the articles in the dressing
case even if she were cnly looking ovel
them.
Janet could hear beads and jewelry NOV
ed about, and fancied she could tall which
set of the gems Sister Clare was holding ii
her hand, for that she had taken some o.
them up for examination Janet felt convinc
ed.
All!
Sister Glare was coming across the room
with magnificent pearl necklace in her
hand-a necklace which Lady Maud would
never wear because of some memory with
which it was connected.
Janet breathed hard, and started bae K
from her post of observation.
In doing this she made slight rustling;
but, happily; Sister Clare was too much alb.
sorbed in thought to notice what had hap
pened. Had she done so, possibly she
would have fancied her own dress had
touched the drapery of the bed, for she
passed very close to it.
Suddenly the curtains of the bed were
pulled back sharply. Janet heard the
rings clatter along the poles. She put her
hand over the region of her heart, as if to
still it's apparently audible beating, and
put her eye once more to the keyhole,
that she should see Lady Maud.
And she saw Lady Maud-beautiful, aged
Lady Maud-laid out for burial!
Janet almost uttered an exclamation of
Whoever heard in those prosaic days Of a
white satin shroud, fashioned like robe of
oygone time? Yet such was the shroud of
Lady Maud, and on the gray hair surround
ng the wrinkled brow was wreath of
orange blossoms, fit only for fair young
bride.
A rich lace veil depending from the
wreath partially covered the face of the
lead, and concealed in its ample folds the
,hin white hands crossed upon the bosom.
Lady Maud had never been married, and
Janet had often speculated on the cause,
for it was certainly not the want OF beauty.
But now she need seek for a reason no
longer.
In the sight before her was the secret re-
vealed! Lady Maud had loved and lost
Ioved and lost at the last moment, no doubt;
for was not the bridal robe Of ancient fash
ion evidence of this? Poor Lady Maud
no wonder she vas always reserved and
sad.
Janet's tears fell thick and fast as she
looked upon her deceased mistress, and
thought of all she must have suffered.
Sister Clare was bending over the dead
when Janet took her next glance, and the
thought she kissed her. Then
she seemed to be arranging something
possibly the pillows-and then Janet dis
tinctly heard the snap of the necklace
clasp.
Sister Glare must have fastened it round
tl,o naoL IF the cornse The next moment
Janet saw that she had, but the necklace
did not appear to be the only ornament
poor Lady Maud was going to carry TO mel
tomb. On her insensible breast no"
cleaned diamond star, and III ner nan
Sister Glare was busy placing a diamond
pin. No wonder she had made Roland
Cavel swear not to look upon her when sne
was dead! He would scarcely have per