Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-11-26
mo indeed sir; how should I?" replied

o~AS AtseAy o-AAdA0s
"Well,' he answered, gazing at bis lis
tener as if she would note the effect of ever
word uttered, 81 am ashamed to confess it
and yet-and yet l. must for my peace Q
mindl Consider me childish, weak, mad
whatever you like-only don't betray m
folly! I trust you not to betray me!
look to you to exercise the demon whicl
possesses me, Janet! I am worried todeatl
with curiosity! worried do say?-by Jove
that term is not strong enough! 'Tis al
incessant gnawing which nothing will sat
isfy! What evil spirit put it into Lad.
Maud's head to place me under such an ab
surd interdiet? Why should I not see he
now she is dead9 There must be some un
expressed motive. The more l seek t.
find reason for such singular desire, th
more certain / am that there is a secre
which it is important to know. Is it no
so, Janet? Come, you were in my lat
aunt's confidence. Tell me, is it not SOP
Indeed, indeed, Mr.. Cavel,"' exclaimed
Janet, distressed and confused, IL know O
no such reason! My mistress was Away
reserved"
Roland approached her suddenly, ant
placed his hands upon her shoulders, as i
to prevent her escape.
Janet" said he, looking earnestly int
her s,-"Janet are you telling me th'
truth?''
The girl returned his gaze without finch
ing.
"Yes, Mr.. Carvel," she replied, 81 am
Sister Glare may know of some reason fol
my lady's desire, but do not.''
81 believe you," he murmured after {
pause.
Then he abruptly released her from hi
grasp, and turning away, sat down upon {
remote sofa, where his countenance wa!
hidden in the shadow, and fell into rev
erie.
In few moments the lady's maid con
cluded this action was dismissal, and &C
cordingly she moved as if to go out. But
before she could touch the handle of the
door, he stood between her and the exit.
"Janet," he cried, in an excited voice
which he modulated to low tone witt
dificulty,-"Janet, have more to.say; but
I will be as brief as possible, for see yor
are impatient. Janet, cannot let you ge
until you promise me to help mev'
81 will help you, sir, if I can," replied
the unsuspecting lady's-maid.
swell, then," answered Cavel, approach
ing his lips to her ear and speaking in q
whisper, ''you shall. See Lady Mauds
face for me before she is buried! See hel
without Sister Clare's knowledge. am
sure you can manage it if you will"
"Oh, Mr.. Cavel," gasped Janet, "yhy
do you ask me to do snch thing?"
Because" he answered, hoarsely, "you
have made no written promise not to do it,
and I can trust you."
"But how do you know that have moi
promised by word?" asked Janet.
"I feel you have not-nay, am sure you
have not. Do not trouble me with such q
thought!'
Janet turned away her face.
"Have you?" he inquired, sharply.
And the lady maid, unable to resist the
| pleading expression on his countenance
which he forced her to see, was compelled
to reply in the negative.
/ He looked relieved.
Therefore" he said, ''you cannot re
fuse my request"
"B1t I must-I must, indeedr' crie6
Janet, in an agitated voice. SIT is moi
possible for me. to do otherwise Sister
Glare locks the chamber where my lady
lies, and keeps the key in her pocket. Ther
she is either in the room or about the dool
constantly. 1t is impossible for me to com
ply with your request; SO, please-please
do not urge it upon me, but give up the
idea at oncep' 81 cannot" answered tht
young man il low strange. voice, 81 can
not"
'sAnd, alas! cannot help you," sighed
Janet, fleeing from the room as she spoke
to avoid further conversation on the sub
iect and not stopping in her fight until she
was safely back in her own little retreat.
/ CHAPTER ".
Janet's first impulse, On reaching hel
room, was to fasten the door and fling her
self upon the bed to indulge in a good cry
but she could scarcely have explained the
reason why she did SO. She sobbed and
wept for half an hour, exclaiming at inter
walls, in loud whisper, ooh, dear! how
did Mr.. Cavel get such an idea into his
head2 Why did he ask me to do such a
thing? Oh, dear, it is imposslblep'
Vas it impossible?
AS she became calmer, her eyes wander.
ed round her pretty chamber, and presently
lighted on the door which led into Lady
Maud's dressing room. 1t was open, and
within the dressing-room opposite to the
door was wardrobe which attracted heI
attention, and suggested thought which
startled her so much, that her tears dried
up instantly as by miracle.
In spite of all Sister Clare's precautions,
she could see dead Lady Maud ifshe chose,
for that wardrobe also opened into my
lady's room. Sister Clare had locked the
inner door and carried away the key; but
she had evidently forgotten or not known
of the communication with the dressing
room, for the key of that side was still
hanging in it's usual place. Easiy-very
easily-little Janet could ensconce herself
among the hanging garments, and gaze un-
perceived through the large key-hole into
the forbidden chamber.
The bed was SO near she felt sure she
could see it's silent, motionless occupant
or. if the curtains intercepted the view, she
could at least observe the movements Of
the watcher, and guess in part the mystery,
l