The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-12-06

work; marvellous locks, which no one
but its owner understood, and no one
else dared NEEDLE with. 1t was a very
old friend, the great armojrG playing
with the children of the house in my
own childhood, l knew it, inside and
outside, by heart. A mystery and a
wonder then-an interest later-alWayS
a thing to admire and wonder at even
now.
1t had three doors. The center one,
about four feet wide and certainly six
inches thick, shut in another, which
again inclosed, with space of about
eight inches of waste room, a set of six
drawers, of different sizes, and a sort of
cupboard between them. We used to
stand as little children between the
drawers and the inner door,
and wonder, supposing we were
shut in, whether we could breathe
long in that narrow Enclosure, or be
heard by any one without, supposing-
awful thOught-we were forgotten, or
the outer door was shut. | remember
thinking of it in bed at night as nerv-
Gus children will think of such things,
till | was cold with horror. Both these
two doors shut with catch which was
not a lock; but we children were for
hidden ever to open or shut them eX-
cept when Mr.. Lester was present. Ii
was doubtful if any one else knew how
to open them, for no one ever tried.
The two side doors opened with curious
keys, which stood in the locks, chained
to the armoire. They were valuables in
themselves. The great key of the cen
ter door, worth hundred pounds or
more, was considered too sacred for COM
mon eyes, and lay in avelvet-lined case
in Mr.. Testers own keeping-brought
out only occasionally to show to those
who could appreciate such things.
1t stood there in the summer twilight,
looming darkly in the quiet room,
darker than the rest of the house, as
back rooms in London often are. Chilly,
it seemed to me, in my thin white dress,
coming from the hall full of sunset
light Turning to leave the room saw
Il man lying prone on his face upon the
sofa so still and so straight, and so
strange in this attitude, that | could
| only stare for minute, and wonder
whether he was asleep or dead. His
hands were over his ears, grasping his
hair, as in pain; and | noticed the soles
of his boots turned quite up, as one no
tees trilies in the midst of alarm or
bewilderment. The nails in his boots
showed he was not dressed for dinner
His hat was lying on the floor on its
side. His face | could not see; but |
knew it was Jack March, and touched
| his arm in wonder.
Jack, are you awake? Are you
| asleep? What is it?" | asked, with
growing alarm. Was to find some
thing strange in every room | entered
in this house? Jack, | said again.
He turned, and l saw his wild, ha@gard
face, that looked at me with vague eyes
that seemed not to see; and then he put
his head down with a moan ndcoyered
his ears once more, as if to shut out
sight and sound. The room felt darker
and chillier for this silent figure, and
the gaunt old armOire seemed bigger
and more oppressive. Iran out of the
room in a sort of panic. Upstairs the
draWing-rOOm door stood open. The
glow of the sunset was over the room,
bright with flowers and pictures, and
the open windows showed the balconies,
guests next day. Silence here, and
silent figures, two of them-one crouched
upon the floor, with arms outstretched
upon a sofa; another lying half across
an ottoman-the brides mother and
sister. As | came in and spoke, now
fairly bewildered and frightened, Mrs
Lester rose up with a despairing wall.
'Saleen, Saleen!n She stood shaking
and crying out my name.
Dear Mrs. Lester" | said, taking
the poor Woman's cold hands, come
and sit down. and tell me what has
happened-Kate!' | called to the girl
on the floor. come and give me that
cushion" She came mechanically, and
helped her mother to the armchair.
"NOw, tell me, if you can''-But Mrs.
Testers head had fallen back upon the
cushion, and she had tainted, The girl
aroused herself.
''No wonder" she said; 'she had
eaten nothing all day; and then all this.
It's too awful, Saleen. shall 90 mad
if | think; and papa has never come
back!'
"Where is your father?
Il don't know. We sent down to the
club and to the house; they can't find
him. And we've searched his room,
and it's not there. It's nowhere. And
Jack is nearly wild; and we darent
break it open"
cit! What, child? Can't you say
what you are talking about? | shall 90
mad next. What can't you find? And
what ails you alp"
"Saleen, it's Mary. Mary is in there;
and the key is gone, and papa is away;
and she's dying there-suifocating;"
and the girl flung herself on the floor
with wild sobs and tears. Mrs. Lester
lay forgotten in her swoon; Kate rolled
in unavailing misery on the carpet.
fled down stairs. The servants were as
busy as ever. l knew it all now.
''Good God!' said to the butler, who
was carrying tray of glass, ''are you
going on with all this useless folly, and
that girl dying in the next roomP Is no
one going to try to save her?"
Davis stood still and looked at me
pityingly; he shook his head sadly and
went on.
rushed into the street; policeman