The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1884-02-28
But never a word he said!
THE SIREN OF NORLAKE
ABBEY,


"a ghost, child what nonsense art
thou talking? 1t were better for thee
to gossip less with old Dame Magarie,
for her foolish babble has well nigh
turned thy head
The speaker was q regal, beautiful
woman folds of crimson velvet, en-
broidered with pearls, fell round her
royalty, strings Of precious stones
braided her raven hair, and on the bare
white throat that carried her graceful
head so proudly shone diamonds, bril-
liant enough for queens dower-just
such contrast as would mark fair
ield-daisy by the side of an imperial
Dion rose was the girl who stood be-
fore her; her blue eyes filled with tears,
and her soft, childish mouth quivering.
NAY, dear lady" she cried, 1T is nc
foolish babble; for in passing down the
north wing but yesternight, methought
heard low talking. Had l known
the passage below was haunted, should
have gone mad from very terror"
"A low talking, silly wench--all are
dumb in this abbey, that human voice
should scare thee-as lief some scul-
lion holding tryst with one of our brave
men-of- war-and thou to come troub-
ling me with thy tears. Fie upon thee,
Alice Fiew
NAY, nay, sweet lady, there's not
servant in this house would enter that
passage after cen. For they say the
wicked nun walks nightly adown that
way"
"A nun! forsooth," and Lady Usula
thee ghost in truth when they take a
holy woman from her rest"
The girl crept close to her mistress.
''She was not holy, my lady, but
most sinful. Years agone, when this
same castle was an abbey in very truth,
there lived wicked abbess, who loved
. youth right we'll, so we'll, that she
granted him many secret interview,
till, at last, fearing he might boast her
favor, she, one night. pushed him down
the steps that lead to the dungeon
keep, and left him there TO die"
This is dark tale indeed, child,
and it's to be hoped my lady abbess
will never stray as far as my bower
chamber. for thy sake, at least"
For holy Mary's sake, fair mis-
that ghosts can hear, and may be
avenge, words spoken in their dis
favor
Leave me, foolish girl go, mend the
lace on nv wristbands that our naughty
hawk tore yesternoon, and forget this
same foolish ghost story"
Left alone, my lady seated herself in
the deep bedded mullioned window,
and gazed long and sadly on the gay
parterre below; the sunbeams sparkling
in mad revel, waking the diamonds to
prism bushes, could bring no Joy into
her deep, dark eyes. So would she sit,
day after day, sorrowful and alone.
No trouble had thrown that shadow
across her smooth brow; no sudden
grief had blighted her young life-it
was shame that bsttled with her pride,
and daily murdered happiness. Only
three short months bride; and this
was the shame that ate her peace away
she had come to her lord an unsought
bride; she had gone to him az payment
for debt, and that debt a dark story
of dishonor
The duke of Malvern was gambler
to the backbone, and evil tongues we're
not wanting that gave darker name
even to his excessive love of games of
chance; but the scandal never gained
ground. The fair Usula Mallet had
been the bride that silenced the only
tongue that could have proclaimed her
fathers crime. She knew when young
Lord Craven sought her hand in mar
riage that he came straight from a
stormy interview with the duke, whom
he had detected in the very act Of try
ing to toss q clogged dice.
Thou hast my fathers honor in thy
power" she said, drawing her tall form
up in all its regal dignity.
MY darling the lover pleaded,