The Penn's Grove record., 1884-10-04

serve gravely. I'VE nave Y missed
going before.
If Russell wishes me to stay, 1
must, - says May determinedly.
| 20 back to my seat aud bring out
| my work. After all, it IL nicer in the
house thus afternoon. can send a ser
want with a message, amt go myself to
morrow.
"Do not let ne keepyou from going"
says Russell politely.
l turn crimson. 1t has never struck
me that perhaps they would like to be
alone it is such a new idea that my
sister can prefer any other persons com
pany to mine. | resent being dismissed
like this.
"You are quite night, | answer
| 5tifiy. ''There is no reason at all why
my actions should be influenced by
yours - and then | sweep angrily from
the oom.
"She is cross let me 90 to her, - l
hear May saying a~n8iously as / mount
the stairs but her lover only laughs,
and detain3 her.
On ms way down | pass, in digniied
| silence, not meaning to say goodbye,
| the door of the roOm where they are
sitting but, just as | anu getting into
the carriage, / look up aud see May on
the terrace.
Don't be long, little mother p she
cries out gaily, nodding and smiling
until Russell interferes, drawing her
back into the room, and closing the
window with what seems To me a very
vicious snap. Then | am driven of.
1t is u six mile drive to Esher. and
| the carriage is closed one. The glasses
! get duh and frosted with my breath,
and presently ! can see out no longer,
and soon grow so warm and droWsy
that | fall fast asleep-and dream.
My dream is a strange one, and evil
IDENTIFY suggested by the event Of the
morning. | I'M all alone i'll a large
room, the duluess and dreariness of
which remind me Of the room | entered
fifteen years ago a [ Netherfield. As at
that time too, | am not alone. A wo-
man is advancing towards me all draped
In black, waving her arms wildly III the
air, as if she were under the influence
of some strong dram or opiate. By
and by she half turns away, and then 1
see that a tTess of golden hair has es
capped from its confinement, and is ly-
ing lightly on her sable germents. ln-
sensibly attracted, l draw near and
touch it softly in color aud texture 1t
is very like my little sisters. The next
moment she glides away from me, and
[ have no strength to follow. A large
white hand appears from between some
heavy damaSk curtains at the far end
of the room, and draws her behind,
while | "a only stare stupidity after
her and wonder whittier she has gone.
A whole hour, 1t seems, do | spend
watching for her TO re-emerge. My
eyes are nearly starting out of my
head, so earnestly do | gaze. 1 think
| cannot be quite sound asleep, my
thoughts are so clear and collected.
Then comes a low moaning cry, and in
stantly | recover myself and have
power to move. With supernatural
strength | tear down the curtains and
penetrate into the space beyond. A man
is standing with his back to me, bend
ing OveT a PROSTATE form, a cleaning
knife appraised telling of the crime that
has been committed. The victim is the
woman in black but now the veil is
thrown back, and | can see-what I |
stagger back and press my hands to my
eyes to shut out the appalling sighC.
Everything seems growing dim, fading
away in a crimson mist.
Thank Heaven, it was only a
dream !" | eXclalm aloud, as | wake
up and find myself safe in the carriage
and. though | cannot shake off an i'm.
preston Of i'll, | am glad when the rat
Ting Of the wheels over the stones tells
me that we are in Esher. Then at last
we pull up, aid the door is opened for
me TO alight.
The question whether Miss Haseldine
is at home is never asked. 1t is known
to be a poiutless one, as she never
moves from her 0 so | only inquire
of the servant who stands in the hall
whether my aunt is better.
Miss HaSeidine is about the same
rambling a little the last few days, and
not gaining much strength, . IS the re-
ply l receive ; and then | am ushered
into her presence.
"HoW are you to-day, aunt Jane 2"
ask cheerfuily, making my way to her
side.
She Iaises her Wlthered cheek for me
" hiSS, anu NHISpciS 5OulctiiiLB dDOul
there not being much change. Then,
looking round, she adds curiously-
There used to be two of you, l
thought. Where IS the other? Is she
dead ?"
Although l know she is not response
bic for what she says, | cannot refrain
from a startled cry.
Heaven forbid 7" 1 e1claini. "Why
should you think that ?''
II didn't know, my dear. Don't be
cross l didn't know. So many have
died and left me. You two are the last
relatives | have in the world, she an
swers, with apologize sadness.
/ stoop down and arrange her cush
ions, feeling sorry for the poor old wo-
man who has nothing left but life.
Where is May ?" says my aunt
again, breaking into my train OF
thought.
AT home. Her lover is spending
the day with US, and she stayed with
him."
What Baby May got a lover |"
You forget, aunt she was engaged
to Mr. Russell Browne six months ago.
] &I- - - -, ~. ~ .--A ..-.Als >