The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-10-19
The Haunted Room.
CHAPTER !,

!
debated with myself whether or not to leav,
my seat.
ionged for cup Of tea, but was SC
nervous about this, the first long railway
| Journey had ever taken alone and then
was conscious that | had been crying an(
looked fright.
| j had cried on leaving my widowed moth
er that morning, and had continued crying
when / reflected that ! was going amongst
| entire strangers to take goyerness's situa.
ton. was going to Yoxley Hall, to the
Hon. Mrs. Rossel, to teach little girl, aged
| ten, and that was all knew about my fu-
| ture.
Hesitating, as looked from the carriage
window and saw the people passing and re-
| passing | noticed one couple who interested
| me immensely; put them down as lovers.
| She was young and showily handsome, that
is to say, she had shining yellow hair that
you could see at any distance beautiful
| pink-and-white complexion, and very blue
eyes; she had slender tall figure, clad in a
sealskin coat edged with delicious fur, with
a dainty brown-yevet hat above, and the
skirts Of a dress TO match peepng from be-
meath it; she had dainty gloves and massive
bracelets, and altogether felt that she was
somebody worthy Of walking as she was
doing, by the side Of the most handsome
aristocratic-looking young man ! ever be-
held.
Then glanced down at my modest black
jacket and dress, my solitary bangle, and
my second-rate gloves, and felt that was
nobody; no MISUNDERSTANDING gentle
man would ever stroll proudly about with
me upon railway-platform or elsewhere.
How much longer do we wait here, Her
mon%' the lady asked Of her companion as
they paused outside my carriage.
Fifteen minutes responded he, taking
out his watch; and !, hearing that, thought
] would have cup of tea after all, so sied
to let myself out, but the handle was stiff,
and the gentleman caught sight Of me strug-
Cling with it.
ALLOW me" he said, raising his hat and
conquering my difficulties by one twist.
THANK YOU" said in terrible confusion,
skipping out and never noticing that had
dropped my mutf.
He picked it up and handed me it with a
smile, and |, in perfectly crimson embar-
rasSment now, thought, as / met that be-
witching smile and his Deep dark, laughing
eyes, that his companion was more to be
envied than any woman had ever seen.
What deliciously pretty little girl" |
heard him say to her as hurried towards
| the refreshment-room.
"Do you think so? She is not very COM
| petent to travel alone" was the disparag.
ing answer; that is all noticed about her."
saw no more of them until in fear and
| trepidation alighted at the end of my jour.
ney; then perceived that, upon the little
country platform, they had alighted too.
A servant in livery was touching his hat
to the gentleman as he received instructions
about the luggage the lady was standing
neglgently by, while dresS-boxes and bas
kets were showered from the van.
zone would think you had come from the
end of the world Flora" the young man
said, amusedly surveying the piles Of lug.
gage; then noticing me, as peered for my
couple Of trunks, asked courteously: Can |
do anything to assist you?'
mo, thank YOU; the porter will get me
fly" replied /, again much confused
"You are developing into vertable
knight-errant, Hermon," sneered his COM
panion. "Since when have you taken to
addressing every girl you see at a statlon?"
mot every one. But she is at our own
station, don't you know; and she looks,
poor little girl, as if she was not used to
much travelling"
''She certainly looks as if shenever travel
ed before in her life. ! wonder those kind
of people don't have themselves labelled"
| had to wait for my modest fly until they
had rolled away in. a barouche and pair;
then was jolted two miles to Yoxley Hall;
and was kept waiting for some time in
room alone before saw the Hon. Mrs ROs-
sci.
She came in then just for few minutes
"a tall, handsome, and intensely cold wo-
man.
Il hope you had pleasant journey, Miss
Lucas. You will like some tea after your
cold drive. If you will follow me, we shall
find it and your little pupil in the school
room, think"
We found more.
When | stepped timidly in after Mrs. Ros-
sells velvet train, | saw my handsome fell
the fire and the tea-table.
"IIermOn," said Mrs. Rossel in tones Of
anything but satisfaction, what are you do.
ing here?'
kindly having tea with May, mother. Is
that toast nearly done" addressing the lit
tie girl, who was burning bread and her face
before the fire.
You must go now, Iermon. You will
find tea in the drawing-room. Miss Lucas
has come to take care ofNIay now"
"llow do you do, Miss Lucas?" he asked.
bowling, then taking my hand in a warm
friendly grasp, while he actually, thought,
looked pleased to see me.
They were the first looks and words of
welcome had had this dreary day, and my
heart went out to him for them.
~ had no idea when saw you at the
station that you were bound for here" he
added making pleasant conversation.
Are you coming, llermon?" his mother
inquired coIdy, waiting at the door.
Presently. must eat this toast MAY has
blackened expressly for me. Miss Lucas.
come TO the fire. you must be cold"
lie drew chair forward, and talked about
the trains and the weather. and laughed and
ioked with May, until felt nearly at home,
and poured out the tea. bravely.
But While we were so INDUCING, the door
opened, and the beautiful girl with the fair
| hair entered.
futtlng on smile, she shook hands with
| me, saying: