Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-04-24

ed to stifie me. I found the window and
looked out. It opened high above :
court yard closed by walls. Again
tried the door. Then I remembered tina
it was sort Of passage room; that there
was q door leading from 1t to an apart
ment beyond. I managed to find thu
door, covered as it was with heavy tap
estry hangings. Feeling very much like
a thief, tried the handle. It turned IL
my hand and the door yielded noiseless
~. Beyond, I saw large square
chamber, evidently bed room, but the
bed was unoccupied. II was quaint
and haunted looking room, with high
oaken skirting and paneled ceiling. A
A couple OF candles burned on the dress
ing table and threw faint light ove1
the dark furniture and the tapestries
that hung against the wall.
Once mr. ltried to call out, but my
tongue see- g dried up and my voice
refused, to :, heard. Presently to my
relief heard :: auman voice. It evident
~ came from o apartment beyond the
one into which l mad ventured Impell-
ed, I hardly knew how, resolved to ven
ture farther; and, as my fc-"ateps noise
lessly on the thick carpet I Id hardly
believe Twas not wandering in dream
through the mysterious chambers of the
dead.
Yet more and more distinctly heard
the sad, low voice that had caught my
ear, and I approached stealthily, and, ]
confess, with something like awe, the
door which, as perceived, opened from
the bedroom to the chamber whence the
voice proceeded. Here, as before, cur
tain Of antique tapestry, reaching from
the ceiling to the floor, concealed the
aperture; and trying cautiously the door
I found that it opened toward me. This
gave me time to reflect before intruding
with stealthy steps steps, IN the dead of
right, into the privacy of this innermost
chamber. Like guilty creature I stood
and listened. The voice-for there SEEM
ed but one-was close at hand. It was
strangely melancholy voice, yetpossess-
ing fascinating power that chained me-
to the spot.
"Wll you never, never speak to me
again, my darling, my darling?" heard
the words too plainly to mistake or for
get them. evil you never speak to me
again? Year after year, as the day
comes round, I have prayed to God to
grant me but one sweet word-one word
to tell me of your love! Oh, my darling,
my darling, have prayed in vain? Will
those lips never open again with smile,
those eyes never again look into mine,
even when I do come to you on my
knees, as I do this Christmas morning?"
These strange words reproached me-
Into what sacred precincts had I intrud-
ed? What heart breaking grief was I
Decorating?
Suddenly the tone of voice changed.
The sad pathos gave way to accents of
JOY. "See! see, my beloved one; here
are gifts worthy of queen. Did I not
tell you that the time would come when
all our struggles would be over; when
there would be no more fighting for our
very bread; no more daily care; no more
dread of the future; no fears for success;
because it would be already mine! All,
Gertrude, my wife, my darling, you are
were good and patient to me in those
days. If the clouds were dark, your
eyes were always bright; if the heavens
were overcast, your smiles drove away
the storm; your voice was the music of
my life, your ceaseless trust was my
lodestar. But all has changed. Those
days have passed. I am rich now: they
say I am famous. The day is now too
short for rest. And yet I need rest. I
feel I cannot live much longer if I may
not rest. MY brain is ever reeling with
its WEAKNESS, yet cannot sleep. Night
after night is one long vigil. No sleep,
no rest, no peace! I have been waiting
this night for you, my love, for you?
And now the hour has come It is
Christmas morning. Hank! already I
hear the sound of the Christ
mas bells. All! no wonder, for
my wife, my beloved, has come back to
me at last-come back to me from the
deadp
In feverish excitement listened. But
there was no answer-nOt sound, when
that trembling voice ceased to break the
stiffness of the night.
Presently it began again. "They tell
me it is thirty years ago. Nonsensel
That is only dream. It was yesterday
yesterday that you babe me good bye
and kissed me when I went away. And
to-day you are as you were then. No
change, no change, none at all. You
are as young and fair as when I first
took your hand in mine and called you
wife,
Then there was pause and was con-
scious of some movement beyond the ia
pestry behind which was guiltily hid
ing.
What followed, startled me, but it
called me back to life. With voice
thrilling with emotion, the man once
more broke the silence. Gertrude!
These are yours. This is your birthday
and our old wedding day, and I have not
forgotten you. You do not YET believe
that am rich and famous, and that your
husband has many friends. See! These
are gifts from those whom have rescued
from death! They are thank offerings to
4 l.