The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-02-27
THE HAUNTED ROO'u.

1t would be almost impossible tC
discover any one more entirely de
void of superstition than myself
Nevertheless, when | was seventeen
years old an event happened which
caused me TO believe mine was 3
haunted life. | was staying in Paris
at the house of my guardian, Sin
Charles c., and dressing for my
first ball-a ball at the English en-
bassy. Ny dress, a triumph of Par
isian taste, had been fastened. and !
stood Before the glass while m maid
arranged the flowers in my hair. A
splendid bouquet lay beside my
gloves and a fan upon the to let ia,
bic.
"Ah, now mademoiselle Is beauti-
full - exclaimed my maid Jus tine, in
French, as she stepped back to sur
vey her work admiringlv.
| blushed with pleasure. 1t was
the first compliment that had been
paid me, and my glass told me il
was true
Il wonder who sent me these flow
ers 2' | said, taking up the bouquet
preparatory to leaving the room.
"Mademoiselle will doubtless dis
cover her admirer among her part
ners tonight, was the girls reply.
At this moment there was ! knock
at the door. A telegram was headed
to me.
Mrs. Northcote is dangerously
i'll, and wishes to see her step-daugh-
ter before she dies.
Startled, dismayed, bus beyond all
measure vexed at receiving such an
untimely message, | dropped the
paper upon the floor. ~Rring me a
railroad guide-quick :" | said to
Justine.
Mrs. Northcote was nay step-moth-
er, but we had never met NV faith
or had made a mesalhance out in
India by taking a half-caste for his
second wife, and when he died he
left to his widow, for her life, the
family estate of "CrOwsnest." to
which he had only Just succeeded. /
found by the railway guide th at if
| changed my dress with speed
there was time to catch the last
train that night from Paris By
noon next day | Ishould reach DE- sh-
shire. in which county Crowsnes t is
situated.
Justine" l cried, excitet lily.
bring me my travelling dress. \ on
must go with me to England to-
night"
Mon iieu, mademoiselle' Would
you take off that ravishing dress
that suits you to such marvs ?
Would you give up the ball.
Once more | looked at my refie c.
ton in the glass. Once more toe k
up the railway timetable to study
its contents. At 9 o'clock next
there was another train.
Meditateively !
raised the bouquet to my face. Who
was it who said The woman who
hesitates is lost?" The sweet per
fume of the flowers permeated my
senses. Who had sent them Curl
osity prevailed. | would wait till
the morrow, 60 to the ball and solve
the mystery. Sir Charles and Lady
C-were waiting for me when |
descended the stairs. | did not say
about the telegram we
entered the carriage and were driven
to the embassy.
The ball was brilliant in the ex-
treme, and | was completely intoxi-
Gated with the adulation | received.
La jolie Anglaise :" The new de-
was on everybody's lips.
The night was half over before |
even remembered the avowed object
Of my deferred departure for Eng
and-namely, 20 discover the send
er of the flowers.
"Of what were you thinking so
profoundly, Miss Northcote - asked
4 gentleman in a wav that made me
start. The speaker was Mr.. Weston.
He had been introduced to me a few
Jays before at my guardians resi-
ience.
Il was thinking of the sender Of
his lovely bouquet, and wondering
who he is. See, my name, Nina, is
spelled out in white violets," / an
,wered, holding the flowers towards
lim.
Il hope you were thinking kindly
If the donor ?'
Indeed | was.
Thank you. VIII YOU always so
hink of him-of me p
Ny surprise was too great to frame
IN immediate reply. Beside, his
manner embarrassed me. 1t infer
ed so much more than the mere
words. | danced with him more
than with any one else,
md found a new and strange attrac-
ion in his presence. On returning
rom the ball / told my kind host
md hostess of the telegra m, and of
nv determination to start for Eng
and on the morrow.
Lady C--looked grave when she
-ead the message.
you might have saved a few
hours. dear, she said.
Only very few. And then /
should have missed the most delight
iul experience of all my life, !" an
swered, fervently.
But it was a case of life and
death, my child" she added, gently.
And felt she had given me a re-
proof
My trunks were soon packed by
Justine. who accompanied me to
England. Sir Charles C, as my
legal guardian, also insisted on GO