National Republican., 1884-11-01


The wind moaned in tho gorge. aud
thunder echoed along the valley OF the
Arve The absurdity Of the situation fell
somewhat rudely on the professors 45
years of wisdom, and yet the spot har.
monized with romantic adventure. He
gained the base Of the tower just as the
storm burst. Tho trees rustled aud swsyed
their branches; piercing flashes Of light
ming illuninated hill and valley. What
did he see2 A ladder placed against the
wall, and man crouching beyond. Sud-
den wrath smote Professor Dofoe. Tho
blood boiled in his veins. He sprang for
ward and seized the man by tho collar.
He recognized DR.. speiser, but he uttered
| no sound.
Thus unexpectedly assailed, the pessi-
mist fled most ANONYMOUSLY, leaving his
antagonist alone In tho succeeding dark
nesa.
How many vigils may have been kept
| beneath the window Of tho turret cham
ber in by-gope centuries The night wind,
swooping up tho gorge, making the
woathercock rattle sharply and the tower
rock on its foundations, told Of love-
smitten knights signing forth their devo.
tion hore while tho castle retsiners slept.
Prof. Defoe belonged to n prosaic age
He removed the ladder, and flung itdown
tho precipice Then he listened. Had
Edith Wilton been alarmed by all these
strange proceedings2 He must protect
her. Yes, ho was her true knight, after
all.
Tho storm increased in violence. Thun-
der, lightning, and rain were succeeded
by violent gusts Of wind. Suddenly q
candle ray cleaned on the pano above; o
rush of feminine draperies and footsteps
onsued on the outer corridor. Prof
Defoe hastoned forward, and confronted
Mrs. Wilton In the hall. She was palo
and shivcring; sho held Flossy under one
arm. He took her hand reassuringly,
drew her into the deserted salon, and
placed tho candle on tho table.
81 know it is very silly, but was afraid
to stay In the turret alone" she con-
fessed smiling. THE storm Is most vio-
lent up there, and have heard such odd
sounds. fsncied saw hand tapping
on the window"
"The wind must have moved the trees"
he replied.
Thon they seated themselves beside the
table, and the poodle crossed to the gen.
tleman's knee, licking his cheek with q
little rcd tongue. Time and place were
forgotten. Fifteen years rolled back
while the candle cleaned on the table
and the storm beat outside. He saw again
the girl who had sighted him in favor of
q handsome suitor The lattcr, u weak
nature, had become involved in ruin by
bank failure, and been transported for
life branded as felon. Edith had clung
to her idol, who received her homage
carelessly. She followed him to New
Zealand imbued with the same heroic
loyalty which leads Russian princesses to
cross Siberian SHOWS and share the exile
Of their lords. John Wilton had not out
lived his time. Prof Defoe contemplated
again the brown head. tho clear eyes, the
youthful contours Of the woman bowed
by such misfortune, and yet she had
trembled at q summer shower in the tur-
ret Edith, in turn, behold the lover she
had wronged, with soft compassion, the
shy country gentleman rendered penni-
less by the same bankruptcy, and COM
PEELED to earn his bread far from home.
II returned to Europe for the first time
in June" he unused.
II arrived in June from Now Zealand"
she echoed. Thon there was . silence
until the clock on the chimney piece
struck the hour.
Are you happy in your Canada homer"
she inquired.
~ thought 1 was contsnted. Edith,
until met you here" he said, and once
more took her hand.
She understood him, but all she said
was: "The storm Is over, aud / may
venture back to my tower. After all, our
castle is q toy house perched on the cliff.
an absurdity, with Swiss walters for
baronial menials. A giant coming over
the hill could whistle down the chin
N eys."
Day dawned unclouded. N. Alphonse
paced tho terrace, adjusting tho strap Of
the bag over his shoulder. Delphine and
Angelique caught the sprays of vines and
culled the blossoms recklessly. Soon .
post carriage trundled down the hill, bear
ing away Mile. Baud and her young peo-
pie. Tho lady of the turret chamber
stood at her window and futtored her
handkerchief M. Alphonse waved his
hat, while her sisters kissed their hands.
''How sentimental she looks up yonder ~
said the youth, and, snatching up silk
umbrella, he converted 1t into the SEM
blance Of q minstrels guitar. The trio
looked at each other and laughed.
Il put the note in the Englishman's
SHOE" giggled Delphine.
II placed the gardeners ladder against
the WALL" added Alphonse.
II whispered tho hour of IL on the bal
cony to arouse the curiosity Of DR.. Speiser.
He went out as we'll as the professor. We
heard him." supplemented Angelique,
clapping her hands.
perhaps they will fight duel, those
two" suggested Alphonse, with fresh
paroIysm of hilarity.
| "Ah, Alphonse has such fine ideas"
exclaimed his sister, with admiration.
What do I hear?" demanded Mile.
Baud, severely. "Dose Alphonse got his
fine ideas at the Gymnase, I pray you ?
Am to confess to your dear father
Here Delphine and Angelique embraced
her, while Alphonse took her hands.
"Mademoiselle, adore you." he cried.
would you disarrange the projected mar
riage between your niece aud myself
when we are of age? No? Then swear
we have been good children on the Swiss
tour"
Laughing and scolding, Mile. Baud re-
arranged her bonnet.
"The DR.. Speiser Is an angel" she said.
'If he visits our city during tho winter.
| be discreet"
II promise he shall have no poisonous
mushrooms served with his dinner" said
Alpbonse, fervently.
In the mean while DR.. Speiser had up.
preached Prof Defoe on tho castle ter
race.
my friend, had strange adventure
last night" he whispered, mysteriously.
| "At ii o'clock l went out to breathe q
little fresh air."
"In the storm2" queried tho pro-
fessor.
"Ahom I oftca do that. Two mis-
creants set upon me. They had climbed
the cliff by means of ladder. escaped
with difficulty. / leave by the noon
diligence. We live in strange times.
Now the question is, were these men
merely tlioyes or had thew Doliticnl aA-
sociatcs in the hOuse?"
Before Prof Defoe could control his
secret merriment sufficiently to reply,
Mrs. Wilton joined them. Later DR..
Speiser WAS seen fastening to tho dill
gence office Of the village. manifestly to
:he CONSERVATION Of the hotel proprietor.
"Edith. your motto made me xery