Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-05-14


Somebody is moving about there
1 knew it wasn't ghosts, Aunt Bat
tersley TO the contrary, notwlthstand-
ing. Gid lot believe it was burglars
At the same time, however, wanted
to get out Of the house as quick as possi-
BILE, for dusk was deepening into night
and [ knew that the tide, rising swiftly
over the marshes, would roar like wild
wolf around my path, if 1 did not make
haste.
Most probably the heir-at-law had ar
rived. Well, let him come !
Silently as a shadow, I glided down
the back stairway 10 the little slde-door,
which was my usual mode of egress
and ingress; but, 10 my amazement'
there was a pile of trunks heaped up
against 1t, which 1 could 40 more stir
than could shake the foundation OF
the tower Of Babel.
And to reach the front door l should
have to cross the great hall, with its
waxed floor, which was already illumin-
ed by The glow of a. gypsy fire built in
the monster fireplace IN the sitting
room.
sNo., said 7 TO myself, with a hasty
survey of The tlghtly-shuttered windows
whose bolts and bars were tightened
by years corrodlng rust, 4 must just
90 back to the garret and hide there
In the midst of ny perplexity, a
sense OF the ridlculousness of my po'
sition dawned upon me. l laughed all
to myself as l gllded noiselessly ur
the stairs, cropping my way in the dark.
Cousin Battersley,' l said 70 myself,
you don't know how near you are to
one of your relations. The chimney
smokes, does it? Well, only wish il
would smoke you out! Damp down
there, is it? 1 only hope it won't give
your old bones new lease Of rheuma'
tism y
1t was so dark up 10 the garret now,
that could not even tell whether my
or eat.g gran d.aunps eyes were watching
me or not.
There was just 'glmmering square
where the hall window was, noasing
rustic of dry leaves against the mossy'
shingled roof, and herd of mice pat
terlng across the floor.
sat at the head Of the stairs anc
listened, with my chin in my hands.
He Is sending his servant 10 the inn
for something in the shape OF supper,
I thought. 'Ah he don't know thai
the inn is three good miles of. He
hasn't a bad voice it is low and pleas
ant. I'm not sure but that he speaks
with a slight foreign accent. That
don't like. In my mind, Americans
should be Americans. Now he's max
inc coffee. And it smells delicious
Dear me, l didn't know before ho"
hungry 1 was y
Here l descended two or three steps
4 wonder what he's like p
thought.
I've a great mind TO slip down aut
peep through the crack of the door
Nv goodness me, what would mamma
say ? Aud Simon? 4? How good thai
ffee does smell {! And the chimney
pn't smoke any more now.'
Softly crept down. Goblln-like
ided across the hall and peepet
ound the big mahogany door, which
bod conveniently jar.
The old room was all In glow o.
4 ddy light. Close to the hearth, whose
azing logs cast so bright an illumina'
80 around, a wooden chair was crawr
hnd there sat a young, handsome
q, leaning thoughGully back, as i
dark, Spanish eyes saw far beyond
e leap of the flames or the column o
le smoke.
He isn't Old Crab Battersley at all,
id 1 to myself. He's like the hero o
cvel.'
And then l took second look.
sThen who is be p 1 asked myself
ld what business has he here p,
All of sudden the trembling coffee
which was placed on bed of Goals
led over. The hero OF romance
sSd to remove it,and in the change
Opposition his eyes unexpectedly me
mine.
| L took refuge in instantaneous fight
snd snt spTahg Tan t49 q ats IsJae Jae had sss9 s
was only lighted by the red stream o
brilliance from the blazing logs. and
| had the advantage OF being thorough.
acquainted with the premises. II
could once hide away behind my great
great grand. abnt's picture 10 the gar
ret
But even as this possibility flashe'
across my mind, 1 slipped on the loweI
stair, a sharp, needle.like pang of paiI
shot through my ankle. and saOl
helpless to the floor.
My captor FASTENED to the rescue.
Are you hurt?' said he, with solicl-
tude.
Yes = cried out sharply. 1 have
sprained nv ankle
Butt beg your pardon !! he said
IL don't quite know who you are
nor how you came here y
L am Barbara BattersleY y said
defantly.
MY cousin p with sudden bright
ness In his face.
Yes, / suppose SO = 1 uugraciousl.
admitted.
What can do for your he ques