Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-30

the house?" asks Florence at length,
who has been examining some writing
on the walls.
so far that, if you were immWed
here, no CRY. however loud, could pene-
trate the distance" replies Sir Adrian.
"YOu are as thoroughly removed from
the habitable parts of the castle as il
you were in the next county,"
How interesting" observes Dora,
with little shipper.
'The servants are SO afraid of this
room that they would not venture here
even by daylight" Sir Adrian goes on.
"You can see how the dust OF years is
on it. One might be slowly starved to
death here without ones friends being
a bit the wiser"
He laughs as he says this, but, long
afterwards, his words come back to his
listeners memories, filling their breasts
with terror and despair.
Il wonder you don't have this dam
gerOuS lock removed" says Capt. Ring
wood. 1T is a regular trap. Some day
you'll be sorry for it."
Prophetic words!
Eyes; I wish it were removed" re-
spends Florence, with a strange quick
shiVer.
Sir Adrian laughs.
"Why, that is one of the old towers
greatest charms" he says. ut belongs
to the dark ages, and suggests all sorts
Of horrible possibilities. This room
would be nothing without it's myster-
i0us lock-"
At this moment Dora's eyes turn
slowly toward Arthur DynecOurt. She
herself hardly knows why, at this par
ticuIar time, she should look at him,
yet she feels that some unaccOuntable
fascination is compelling her gaze to
encounter his. Their eyes meet. AS
they do so, Dora Shudders and turns
deadly pale. There is that in Arthur
DynecOurt's dark and Sullen eyes that
strikes her cold with terror and vague
forebodings of evil. 1t is a wicked look
that OyerSpreadS the mans face-a
cruel, implacable look that seems to
freeze her as she gaze8 at him spell
bound. Slowly, even while she watches
him, she sees him turn his glance from
her to Sir Adrian in q meaning man
ner, as though to let her know that the
vile thought that is working in his
brain and is betraying itself on his face
is intended for him, not her. And yet,
with this too, he gives her silently to
understand that, if she shows any
treachery toward him, he will not leave
it unreWarded.
HOW pdlO you dlt, NILS. L dlDOU. It.
marks Sir Adrian suddenly, wheeling
round to look at her more closely.
HAS this damp old place really affected
your nerves? Come, let us go down
again, and forget the sunshine that
bloody deeds W .er committed here
or elsewhere"
Il am neryo,a. [ confess" responds
Dora, in a low tone. Eyes, yes-let us
leave this terrible room forever"
so be it," says Sir Adrian gayly.
For my part, l feel no desire to re-en-
ter it."
cit is very high art, I suppose" OBJ
serves Ethel VillierS, glancing round
the walls. Uncomfortable places al
ways are. 1t would be quite a treasure
to Lady Betty Trefeld, who raves over
the early Britons. It seems rather
thrown away upon us. Captain Ring
wood, you look as if you had been sud
denly turned into stone. Let me pass,
please"
ct was uncommonly friendly of
RingWOOd not to have let the door
slam, and so imprisoned us for life"
says Sir Adrian, with a laugh. Z am
sure we owe him a debt Of gratitude"
Il hope you'll all pay it," laughs
RingWOOd. st will be a nice new ex-
perience for you to give q creditor
something for once. [ never pay my
own debts; but that doesn't count. [
feel sure you are all going to give me
something Tor my services as door
keeper"
What shall [ give your" asks Ethel
COquettishly.
"I'Il tell you by and by" he replies,
with such an expressive look that for
once the SauCy girl has no answer
ready, but, bluShing crimson, hurrieS
past him down the stone stairs, where
she waits at the bottom for the others.
AS Florence reaches the door she
pauseS and StOOpS to examine the lock.
81 wish" she says to Sir Adrian, a
strange Subdued excitement in her
tone, you would remove this lock.
Do"
But whY?" he asks, impressed in
spite Of himself, by her manner.
Il hardly know myself; it is a fancy
an unaccountable one, perhaps-but
still a powerful one. Do be guided by
me and have it removed"
'What-the fancy?" he asks laugh
ing.
'No-the lock. Humor me in this"
she pleads earnestly, far more earnest
ly than the occasion seems to warrant.
Cal! it silly presentiment, fyou like,
but | honestly think that lock will work
you evil some day. Therefore it is that
[ ask you to do away with it"
you ask me?" he queries.
Eyes, if only to please me-fOr my
sake"
She has evidently forgotten her late
distrust in him, for she speaks now in
the old sweet tone, and with tears in
her eyes. Sir Adrian fIusheS warmly.
For your sake" he whispers. What
is there | would not dc, if thus re-
quested"
A bitter sneer contracts Arthur
Dynecourt's lips as he listens to the
first part of this conversation and guess
es at the latter half. He notes cor
rectly the kindling Of their eyes, the
quick breath that comes and goes like
happy signs from the breast Of Flor
ence. He hears the whisper, sees the
warm blush, and chances expressively
at Dora. Meeting her eyes he lays his
finger on his lips to caution her silence,
and then, when passing by her, whis-
perS:
Meet me in half an hour in the low
er gallery"
Bowling her acquaintance in this ar