The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1885-04-22

Rilla did not feel afraid. but rather
sorrowful.
Poor grandpai you intended to pro
vide for me, !" she saii. and patted the
| chair.
Then she opened the window, and
sat down by It to keep her long vigil.
The hours passed, and for all heH
haartache she grew drcwsy, and s,eep
was stealing upon her, when a soft
steaithy football echoed from the stairs.
She was sitting erect and wide awake
10 IN instant.
She listened hreathlessly.
Yes the steps were coming upstairs,
and along the hall
She could hear The rustic Of drapery,
and then the door swung open, and
bracing herself she looked to see who
or what it was.
The sight was enough 20 try stOuter
nerves thana young girls.
Rilla felt an Icy thrill rush over her,
and she caught hold of the chair-back
for support, When ehe saw the tall
sheeted form standing motionless in
the doorway, but she was at bay, and
after the first moment of terror, she
f0and1her voice. -.f.,
''Wfo are y6dP and what do yOu
Miss Justine had NOT provided for
that question, not credieing her cousin
with courage enough 70 ask II, but an
answer was not needed. =
e A great, owl had taken up his abode
in the hall, and disturbed by the I'M
usual sounds. and the flicker Of candle
light he gave enc awful boot, and hap-
ping hts wings, -stoop a1down over the
head of the ghost into the room.
1t was more than the waiting-maid
could beasl n Ell fTT
'-Oh, Lord, Miss Rilla, what Is it?"
she shrieked; and tearing her ghostly
raiment of. aed 70 the girl for protec-
ton
1t was a case of run, black devil,
white devil catch you,p' and after re-
covering from her, establishment Rilla
laughed faiouds a., DIR
Sarah. what does this meanP"
Miss Justine made me do it Don't
don't let the thing touch nlep ! didn't
want to do it,"
But after Iku6ckins down the chart,
which fell with a crash, and upsetting
the candle. the owl few out at the win
dow and vanished.
Z R!lia sootheIher terrified companion,
relit the candle, and then essayed to
pick up the broken chart. But the
frame fell to pieces, and out from the
back Of itrolled Ia;bundle Of papers.
Meanwhile. al went merry as a mar
rage bell at the party.
Bessie left &c 10 Justine to make ex-
cuses for Rilla, and that young lady did
so with the best grace In the world, and
then she danced and iiirted as though
she had notsa care on her mind
But timid Bessie suffered q cruel
anxiety. and she drew breath Of re-
lief when, late in the evening, Paul
Daverant entered the room
He glanced slowly around, and .
shade of, disappointment crossed his
handsome face
"Where is Rilla, Miss SageP" he in
quired as soon as he reached Bessie.
That question loosened Bessie's
tongue, and she poured out the whole
story to the gentleman, who listened
with quietness the gathering fire in
his eyes belied.
He glanced at his watch.
ut is time the joke ended. If you
are ready, we win go on together. If
not"
'+Oh yes, am glad to 90. Call Ber-
tie. and / win speak to Miss Penrynn."
Justine smiled disagreeably, but
that It would not do to go too
far, she made no objection to an early
Departure, but gave her version of the
little joke, and all called Rilla silly
child for taking any one so literally.
The others listened in silence, and
Bessie clasped her hands and strained
her eyes through the gloom to catch
the first sight Of the Grange. but there
was keener pair of eyes watching.
also, and the horses had hardly been
pulled up before the gate when Daver-
ant dashed open the oarriage-door and
sprang out.
Ali his careless indiference. bis LAM
guild nonchalance, fell from him under
the pressure of fear and anxiety, A
He entered the empty eehOinE house.
As HVuuIcu tuS stssltc tWV AZ kluAog
softly yet clearly calling:
"Rilla, Rilla!h
She met him at the doorway 81 her
bedroom, flushed but
radiant, and safe and unharmed.
sRilla lover he cried, and snatched
ler to his breast with hurried passion
ate words Of love.
sis il trues Do you really care for
neP" she said In sort of glad won
Ter.
so wen that II You had. come to
harm this night my peace and Joy would
nave been for ever destroyed, ''she said,
pending bis lips ko hers sss@
In her happfn.ass Bhe cohld afford 10
% charitable, and she explained the
Of the waitin S-maid with as
title blame 10 her cousin as possible,
ind then came a. brief account of the
all Of the chart, and leading him near
he candle, she held folded paper out
% him to examine. -t5tse@ efls
What is itp" he inquired. struck by
Ionhe subtle change in her.
''Grandpa's last will, hidden III the
pack of that France Oh Paul you
owed me without the money, but / am
Had your wife will not come to you
1enniless."
let her come 40 she may, she viii
Always be my best beloved, my dear
ist, he said with deep tenderness. s.
After all, malice can overreach It
elf, he continued. as they went down
ta.-s hand in hand. the frightened
Maid closely following. sIf your cousin
lad left you in peace the win might |
lever have been found. "
And SO she thought, railing bitterly
gainst herself and all the world, when |
made to comprehend what adoccnrred.
Is for Lawyer Sage. be rubbed his
ands and said:
II knew he could not have destroyed |
he will. and | always 5eit that the old |
hart had something TO do with Is.
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