The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-26
s.Tbe secret Of the t,,rret floor is known, u

she muttered deSpalrlhSly, anu Ihal cred-
ture will discover where it is. [ saw the
threat in her eyes when she looked at me.
II will open the floor tonight" and her
eyes looked cold and cruel as the words
Kissed between her teeth II will lower a
lamp into the shaft and see what lies there.
[ have been afraid hitherto, but [ would
rather meet Hates sightless eyes and look
upon her dead face than endure the grin
of that mocking witch whom | was mad
enough to invite here"
Having made this resolution, she man
aged before nightfall to procure covered
lantern and long cord, and to hide them
in the room the floor of which hid such a
CHASTITY secret.
This had been easy enough, because the
great hall was in the same part of the build
ing, and several times during the day she
had considered it necessary to so and per-
sonally inspect and superintend the decora-
tons Of holly, mistletoe, and hot-house
flowers.
She made pretence of criticising the
arrangement of the tables, and the order IN
which the guests were to be placed, and
she stood over the servants while everything
was altered and rearranged according to her
orders.
"Do you expect many guests tonight
besides those staying in the house, Mir
lam asked Mr. Lilburne as the company
was about to dispense and dress for dinner.
eyes, a great NUMBER was the reply.
':By the way, Grace" he added, turning
to his daughter, ''Did l tell you that Ro-
land Ayre wrote to me to say he was COM
ing tc-night?'
"Rolandr p repeated Grace in dismay.
eyes, [ wrote to invite him to dinner; he
says he cannot come till later IN the even
ing, but he will come
"Did he say nothing else?" asked the
daughter hoarsely.
eyes; he did say something else, but 1t S
of no consequence-atle least, no consequence
to you," and Mr. Lilburne turned away.
Grace asked no more; she was beginning
to feel like creature at bay, hunted on
every side with no avenue Of escape open
to her.
Why did her father invite Roland Ayre,
and why, above all things, had the invita-
ton been accepted?
After time, CONSERVATION gave place to
mirth, and she laughed bitterly as she re-
marked to Victor:
"Your cousin gives striking proof of
masculine constancy. Last year when he
went away he said he would never enter
Silverton Castle again unless he brought
ate with him. or came to meet her.
"And how do you know that he won't
bring Kate with him p asked Miriam
Hindman boldly.
Grace looked at her for one moment
with a scornful scowl then turned away
without deigning to utter one word Of re
ply.
She noticed, however, that her father
was eager and nervous, and pleasurably
excited, and that he looked younger and
stronger than he had done for some months
past.
''Surely papa does not think of marrying
that horrid GIRL Grace exclaimed as she
l watched her father and Miriam talking to
, eether in confidential and affectionatC
manner.
r 81 shouldn't think he'd have the chance,
: returned Victor; "she's an uncommonly
nice girl
"Oh yes, know you think there is no
body like her" sneered Grace.
''At any rate, 1 didn't invite her here,
, retorted the young man angrly.
"Wcll, no, you couldn't very well, as i
is my fathers house." she replied, ''but
| wonder since you admire her so much you
: don't marry her"
II am like your father in that respect
r haven't the chance" he said coldly.
. Then he crossed the room and joined
0 the couple of whom they had been talking
r Grace was very angry, but she did not
follow him, and soon after this the frs
e gong sounded hint that it was time tt
., dress for dinner.
Miriam Hindman, instead of going up
e stairs like the other girls, saunter into {
0 little study she knew Of, where a bright fire
y burned in the polished CRATE, and the lamp
+ was turned low.
2 Despite her assumption of cheerfulnesS
d and high spirits, her heart was sad and
r. heavy.
: Victor Gayherd had been the one love Of
her life, and though they had parted npiquC
+ and anger more than year ago, and just
y before her father had lost the greater par
/, of his fortune, she had always expected hel
d truant lover to return to her.
G But this hope had died out now, for HI
+ was pledged to become the husband o.
. another before twenty four hours haC
n passed.
a She had seated herself on hassock be
= fore the fire, her hands clasping her head
: and her elbows resting on her knees, anC
e was thinking sorrowfully of the man shC
|. still loved so we'll
d "He will have a very miserable life,
: she unused, particularly so if Grace doe
b not get the large fortune she anticipates
= and he will, no doubt, often wish he haC
d not taken me at my word when told hin
r to 90 and find richer wife. All me
people think me bright and witty, the mer
= admire me, and the girls envy me, and we
Y | am the most miserable woman in thi
e house tonight yes, quite the most mis-
d cradle"
o Her meditations were here interrupted
It by an arm being clasped round her waist
and by some member of the opposite SCI
d very energetically kissing her.
o She looked up, struggle to her feet, ant
d recognizing her companion, she exclaimed
e passionately:
"Victor how dare you insult me like
: this ?"
). II only kissed you under the mistletoe,
! he pleaded with mock humility, holding
n up spray of the white-berried plant.
:. + "Under the misletoe p she exclaimed
), with increased anger II wonder you ar
not ashamed to look me in the face.
y wonder You dare to come into a room wher'
t | am alone.
| "Wen, it is a risky thing to do. he PC
piled recklessly; "but wanted to speak tt
o you, and may not have another chance.
"That is highly probably, What have
[ you to say?"
S 81 want to know why you came here ?"
/, 81 came because was invited, was thu
naughty reply.
i "You have some other reason" he per
, sisted.
) tT Lo,-o t,,-o -, H., 81 ~, ,.o,,o,,, IL,