The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-08-27

Silverton Castle.
Arrived at the outskirts of the vii
lage. he left the horse and carriage in a
shed, and set off to perform the rest of
his journey on foot.
lie soon got tired of walking, how
ever. and as he came near the deep
narrow river, he bethOught himself that
he could approach the castle in a
boat with very much less chance OF be-
ing recognised.
So. in spite of the cold, he took a
dingy, and then. though the darkness
of night was setting in, he began to row
towards the castle. for he knew every
meath its walls.
1t was quite dark when he moOred
his boat under the Castle walls, and
went cautiously round the mansion, to
inspect it, and to try to catch one
glimpse of Kate.
The dogs did not bark this approach,
for they knew him, and he had some
difficulty in quietly getting away from
their too demOnStratlVe affection.
But the object of his fatiguing jour
ney was not attained. He could not
get into any position where he could
see Kate without being observed and
recognised.
He did not wish to speak to her. He
only wanted to look upon her face, and
to know that she was happy.
The hours went by, and he was be-
coming sick and numbed. and his heart
was heavy, for the sounds of miTth and
JOY, of music and laughter. were in
painfully strange contrast to his own
deSOlate condition.
The falling snow warned him that he
must soon retrace his steps and make
for his mothers cottage. for his practis
ed eve told him that the snOw-stOrm
would be both long and heavy one.
Il Will see her, come what may" he
mUtteTed with sudden resolution, when
midnight was approaching, and the
sound of music from the hall had
ceased.
He approached the disused tower,
very close to which his boat was moor
ed, and pulling aside some low bushes,
he felt about in the darkness for some
time with his hands.
At length he seemed to find what ne
wanted, for his hand came in contact
with a small grating, and half lifting
this he was able to take hold of handle
which, on being turned, enabled him to
push inward portion of the masonry
at the foot of the tower as though it
were door.
This indeed it was. an iron door. with
stone so carefully and cunningly fitted
upon it that only a person who knew
the secret could ever detect the spot, or
suspect the existence of any means OF
ingreSS
Frank passed through this door, but
he did not close it, for he had no fear
Of anyone disturbing him, and he meant
to enter the castle without observation
and hide himself in some dark corner,
so that he might have one view Of the
gay scene in the ballroom, where the
lady he loved was sure to be the belle,
and then he intended to return to the
grounds as he came, leaving no trace of
his stolen visit behind him.
He had not been in this place for
many years and he advanced carefully
and cautiously, more than once tempted
to strike light, yet fearful of betray-
ing himself by doing so.
This fear WAS increased by two or
three strange circumstances.
In the first place the wind seemed to
rush through the Yaulted passage III a
perfect blast, and he fanCled-thOugh
of course he could not be sure, as there
was no light to guide him-that the
false floor Of the chamber above must
be out of its place.
Fear of detection. and of coming sud
denly upon somebody he knew, made
him stand and eagerly listen for every
sound.
He had Just come to the conclusion
that whatever might be the condition
OF the floor above. the coast for himself
was clear, and he was about TO take 9
few steps forward and mount the iron
ladder which he had often used before
when the rush of wind increased and
the sound of voices overhead became
distinct.
There seemed to be words of expostu
lati0n and of encouragement then there
was deSpairing gasp of terror as some
thing aDDPared to fall
W hateyer 1t was It's descent was ar
rested for moment. but only for q mo
ment. then with heavy thud the some
thing fell close to his very feet.
lie looked up, but there was no light
Whatever it might be that was lyine
50 close to him it uttered no sound, anC
he was standing brwIldered not know
ing what to do. heSitatng whether t
90 away at once. or strike a light an,
ascertain what had happened. when. a.
he was heSitlting and doubling, h,
| heard ludlStlUctly avOICe overhead. an,
then. more plainly, the grating sOunC
OF the floor above being forced back in
to its proper place.
1t was only at this moment that tn
conviction daWupd upon his mind tina
some fearful crime had been committee
Of which he had been the uniutentiOna
and Wsuspectcd witness.
y low groan close beside him rOuset
/ hlm TO lmmediats action. and he took
/ box of WaN-mAtcues from his pocke
and struck light.
The desire that had brought him ner
{ this night above all nights was gratitied
his eyes rested once more upon the fac
Of Kate Lilbulme.
/ Ii ever prayer was granted. an
/ came to the SuDpliant as a curse, suTel
J II was so now with Frank Fairfield.
He looked upon Kate as she lay sense
/ less at his feet; blood was flowing frOT
! wound on her forehead. and from
second wound on the side of her heaC
And yet her fall had been slight
! broken by her gown having been caugl
| by some projection from the wall.
The wounds on her head were SeriOu.
however, and Frank tried to staunc
the blood with couple of large hanC
keTchIefS he had in his pocket.
This was no easy matter, IA he ha
to do 1t III the dark, his waX-matcht
being of no use except for second ,
/ two at a time.
Kate remained senseIess. and tn
/ young man tried to revive her by fore
ing some brandy which he had in h
flask down her throat.
But his efforts were in vain. and I'll
dank vault in which they both WEI
| chilled the blood in his veins. while IL
girl who was laying on the floor was a
most As cold as though she were dea,
His first thought was for Kate. aH
he took off his thick warm ulster. wral
ped her in it as well as he could, the
turned to leave her so that he migl
rouse the inmates of the castle, an
bring them to her assistance.
He had only taken few steps. hOy
ever, for this purpose before he pause
suddenly rendered pOwerless by Il
difficulties and dangers of the situation
not Onlyto himself, but to Kate, Uut
she should be sufficiently recovered
explain what had happened.
What business had he in the Castlt
would naturally be the first enquir
and he was compelled to admit that
/ had nOne-that he WAS a midnight ire