The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-02-27

keeper met us in tho hall.
Miss Northcote, you came too late,"
she said, and there was more austerity
than sadness in her tone. "My dear
mistress died three hours ago. If you
had left Paris last night you would have
been in time. My lady had q communi-
cation she desired to make to you"
"What was it?n asked in much dis
tress.
"That no one will ever know in this
world" " was the answer And felt from
that moment as though Mrs. Stevens was
my enemy.
Sir Charles c. remained at Crows
nest until after the funeral. Then, in
vain, he urged me to return to Paris.
was bent on remaining few weeks long
or in the quaint old-fashioned house,
which now to all lntents and purposes
was mine With the exception of one
bedroom in it, description of Crowsnest
is not necessary to the development of
my tale, but to describe that is i'm
/ perative. This room had taken my
fancy from the first. 1t was long and
large and low; the walls pnnelled with
cedar-wood. On the panels hung framed
tapestry pictures, the work of past
generations of Northcotes. The ceiling
of cedar-wood, with curiously carved
rafters, made the walls look even lower
than they were. A time mellowed- d-square
of Indian carpet covered the centre ofthe
cedar floor on which stood the bed-of
the same wood, and richly carved
| raised on dias. There were two win
dows; that nearest the bed, bay with
diamond panes, the hangings, similar to
those of the bed, OF old-fashioned rich
brocade with faded pink satin Innings.
On the side Of the bay window nearest
the bed was fixed modern gas-bracket,
which struck me as a strange anomaly
and the only incongruity amid the
| antique surroundings. It was in this
chamber my stepmother died, but utterly
! devoid of all superstitious weakness
decided to occupy it myself. No sooner
had my kind guardian left Crownsnest
than told Mrs. Stevens of my intention,
whereon she looked troubled, urging
various reasons why should not do so,
none of which appeared to me of any
weight. At last she said: /" 1t was Mrs.
Northcotes wish that that room should
not be used. She died in it."
"And do you suppose l am so foolish
as to be afraid to sleep there on that ac-
count~ l asked.
1t is not my province to suppose
anything, Miss Northcote. My late mis-
tress entertained the fancy, and if you
had seen her before she died it is my be-
lief she would have given you her
reasons herself. AS it is"
GAS it is, Mrs. Stevens" I answered,
seeing that she paused irresolutely, 81
am now mistress here, and have set my
heart on that particular bedroom. Have
it prepared, please, for wish to occupy
it at once"
GAS you will, " she said, indifferently.
But as she turned away caught pecul-
lar look ON her face, which perplexed as
much as it annoyed me. My belongings
were promptly removed into the coveted
room, my maid Justine, occupying a
small dressing-room adjoining, but to
which there was no through communica-
'tion. The first night of my taking pos
session of my new quarters was close and
oppressive, and / remember waking to
find the scent of the cedar-wood slightly
overpowering. About midnight l rose !;
threading my way across the floor with
difficulty for the room was almost in
! AOlul L OlICllCO VIII
dow. The next night, before Justine
! left me, desired her not to turn the gas
quite out. Three nights later l again
, woke with Il sense of languor and OPP
preston. | did not want to be at the
trouble of rising to open the window,
but looked up sleepily. The gas beside
, the window gave out dim light; be-
yond it faint moonbeam slanting across
the room in which lay the shadow of a
pear-tree that grew outside close to the
house. / could trace the shadows of the
branches and the leaves, and watched
{ them as they tiickered, stirred by the
, night wind. Keeping my eyes open in
, half-sleepy manner, as | have said,
, all at once l became conscious of seeing
something else beside the gaslight and
the moonlight, something that seemed to
be between the two. 1t was faint and
indistinct, certainly, but none the less it
bore resemblance to female FORM The
E head appeared resting on the hand, the
hair with ruddy CLEAN on it tioated
backward on the shoulders The rest of
, the figure was lost in darkness. 1 was
I sufficiently awake to know it was nc
, freak of fancy, and yet the figure was al
together so family defined and vague in
T detail that before long fell asleep and
next morning remembered 1t as a dream
only.
} The succeeding night, however, Iagain
awoke and on opening my eyes beheld
D the self-same figure. But this time il
r was more clearly visible, especially the
h face, which, turned toward me, saw to
4 be that of very beautiful woman.
v Moreover. to my unspeakable horror and
e dismay, | discovered in it a resemblance
g to my stepmother, whoml had seen once,
4 and once only, as she lay dead within hel
y coffin. The sight was the more distress
c ing to me inasmuch as the face wore an
expression of mournful sadness com
e bined with one of reproach. Had tho