Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-02-25

Oldulo anu ouc gave luc t.u ldUS Il
hug and kiss which disarranged her
cap-ribbons considerably.
"How sweet OF you, aunt Lettyl The
very thing in all the world that | <ho 1ld
like TO have happen! Only think of it,
Rex-we may open the bras5-bJund
chest at last shall not sleep wink
tonight for thinking of it What a
Jolly New YEARS. Eve this will be- You
give aunt Lefty hug now, Rex, for
you are just as much interested In the
box as am, though you will not confess
it for w0rlds.n
Never mind another hug, dear, "
said Miss Letitla rather nervously, as a
pair of strong outstretched arms ap-
preached her; Il will take your affec-
tion for granted. Ycu are good chill
dren to be so pleased over the little an
old woman can do for your amuse-
ment."
New Years Eve came with cover
let of snow outside and a roaring fire
and merry faces within, at Fend ali
Court. Gladys, in spite of the sleepless
night she had predicted for herself,
looked lovely picture of youth, health,
and happiness, picture which Rex
studied with immense satisfaction ap-
parently.
The big drawing room still retained
its Christmas decorations OF holly and
miStletoe; scarlet berries were massed
wherever they would cling, and the
freight cast pleasant glow over the
shabby furniture.
''Do you notice how srikingiy the
blaze illumines Lady Irmentrude's por-
trait tonight, Rex? | could almost
declare that she smiled down on US Just
then. How lovely she was ~
Very lovely-and astouishingly like
you"
"You foolish fattering boyl Do
you suppose am going to believe that
nonsense ~
The sweet silly nothings which the
lovers addressed to each other during
the next ten minutes were interrupted
by sound of clattering and banging in
the hal without.
"The chest The chest They are
bringing the chestl" cried Gladys, flying
to the door and throwing it wi open.
Miss Letitia entered, followed by two
stout peasant lads bearing the heavy
box between them.
Heretofore the fire p said Gladys
eagerly.
Twitching imaginary forelocks, the
two young peasants departed after de-
posting their burden. each enr ched
with hslf-crown for the New Years
Eve rejoicing.
''Gladys, you shall open the chest. as
your patience and curiosity have been
most soreIy tried regarding it,"
Miss Fendall produced a quaint pol
brass key from her reticule; and Gladys.
trembling with excitement, undid, with
help from Rex. the various fastenlngS of
the chest,
AT last the supreme moment arrived
when she found herself slowly raising
the lid, and the mysterious contents OF
the box lay revealed
At the top were various articles of
lady's apparel of cut and fashion quite
unknown TO the present day. Slowly
and reverently Gladys laid hem aside,
for she knew lnstinctiyely that these
were the relics of some one long dead.
She next withdrew heavy velvet dress
of delicate shade of green, embrol-
dered thickly with seed-pearlS on the
bodice and down the front of the skirt;
rare old lace hung in wavy frills from
the short sleeves, and curious fan of
carved mOther-of-pelTl and painted
feathers lay with the costume. Gladys
glanced quickly from the dress 10 the
portrait of Lady lrmentrude above her
"Yes, dear; Lady Irmentrude was
painted in that green velvet dress. A
most becoming costume it was. l saw
her in 1t, for the last time, on that
dreadful night thirty years ago." said
Miss Fendall, whose tears were falling
like rain at the sad memories of tue
past 81 packed away her clothes when
she left us, half mad with grief. and in
that box put the last dress 1 ever saw
her wear, some letters, and a journal in
which the unhappy glrl cenfesSeS all her
love for poor lost Herbert. l could not
bear to think of these things being dis
turbed perhaps by irreverent strangers
so l ordered that the box should never
be opened. Tonight | have reiented
and | sm not sorry. Poor Irmentruie
yours was sad fatel "
While the old woman was speaking,
half to herself, Gladys had gathered up
the velvet gown in her arms and mad
vanished with it.
When Miss Fendall raised her eyes
again, she started back with a suppressed
cry of astonishment there, under the
portrait OF Lady Irmentrude, stood
what seemed to be the living original.
1t was Gladys, who, in the dress of her
dead ancestress, resembled her so strlk-
ingly that her two companions were al
most speechless with surprise.
"YOu thought | was a ghost, didn't
you 2" said Gladys, with merry laugh
'Child, what a wild idea You
really"
But Miss Fendall's speech was checked
by another apraIition still more strange
IN the doorway. A white haired
woman, with wild restless eyes burning
feverishly in her thin pale face, came
forward with steps short and tottering,
like those OF young child, to where
the group stood looking wonderingly at
her. She wore dark dress OF coarse
woollen stuff, warm red flannel jacket
trimmed with fur, and shabby artificial
flowers stuck at random in her hair.
"Why, Rachel, what made you think
of visiting us this evening? You have
always avoided us BEFORE" said Miss
Fendall, in kindly voice to her crazy
protegee.
Il saw my Lady Irmentrude through
the open door, and came In to ask II
should sit up for her tonight, answered
the strange figure, curtseying before
Gladys.
Marvellous This is, believe, the
first time that the name of her yJung
mistress has been uttered by Rschel
since she became insane. The sight of
Gladys in that dress has awakened
faint spark of reason," Miss Fendall
said, half to herself, her eyes wide with
Your ladyshIp will not walk on the
terrace with Sir Herbert this evening
ha, hal cried the crazy woman, in a
Quavering voice which she seemed una
bic to control, looking Gladys keenly in
the eyes.
''For Heavens sake. Gladys, encour-
age the woman in her delusionl We
may learn an inkling Of the truth-for
it rests with her, if with anyone on
earth," whispered Miss Fendall, trem-
bling with excitement.