Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-08-08
CHAPTER VII.
THE HAUNTED ROOM.

am afraid | sat longer than | should
have done in the luxurious little smoking
room. 1t was not the admirable quality
of Maulevercr's cigars that chained me to
the spot. Mind was full Of all the incl
dents of the day, and slowly pondered
on them as the fragrant clouds of tobacco
smoke rose above my head. My predomi-
nant feeling was one of almost eNtravagant
delight. ''She loves me! She loves me"
was the thought that most frequently came
uppermost in nay mind. But ever and anon
there shot across the broad current of my
iov a sinister sense of doubt and apprehcn-
sion. ! remembered the inscription on the
back of Daisy'S portrait. Daisy Stanclifte'
alias -" | recalled, not now with the
scornful indifference that | had felt in the
train. the wild words of GregSOn, There
is murder going to be done at the place to
which yOn are going, and you know 1t. "
If that were true, then, at least, ! thought
did know by whom the murder would be
wrought. 1t would be the man Flintcr,
who Daisy had Just described 10 me as dan
gerouS. Aye, and once or twice remem-
bered how GregSOn had involved all of us,
myself and BrankSOn, and even Daisy her
self. in a common condemnation with this
rufiian. | knew how guiltlcSs l myself was
of all criminal plots against any human be-
ing. But | was not more certain OF my
own innocence than | was of DaiSy'S. Let
me write that here with emphasis, so that,
blamableas l may have been in many mat
tiers, | shall at least he free from blame in
this.
But from all these wild and Wandering
fancieS nv mind ever returned to the same
delightful thought of DaiSy's love. That
sooner or later she should be mine, | was
resolved. As for Mauleverer's millions
let them perish with him, if they were to
stand between us.
was aroused from q long, deep reverie
by the silvery tone of clock which stood
on the mantlepiece of the room. | looked
up. and to my surprise saw that it was one
o'clock. had spent more than an hour
by myself after Maulevcrer had left me.
There was all through the house that
dead and solemn silence which is never so
complete rs in large country house at
that hour of the night, ! could feel, rs it
were, all around me the great empty rooms
and the long corridors with their mysteri-
outwindingS, and the wOrm-eaten stair
cases. up and down which those who had
been dust now for hundreds of years had
once passed in the flush of life and health.
There was not sound, say. to break
the silence: and vet as listened that very
silence seemed to become vocal. and all the
air was filled with one rythmic cry that
struck upon my tingling nerves with a
diStinctneSS which spoken words could
never have attained. There Is murder to
he done here; murder, murder, murder"
That was what the awful silence of the
great house seem 10 say 10 me. knew
that II was nothing more than the effect of
the imagination due TO the excitement of
the past day. Yet / started up In nervous
terror and lighted my candle. hardly daring
to look behind me rs | turned from the
room to seek my chamber.
Where or how | got wrong I hardly
know. l found presently, however, that
had missed the corridor through which
had to pass on my way to the staircase
leading TO my room. turned into another
passage, thinking it might lead me in the
right direction. As was passing door
in this corridor, distinctly heard q voice
raised as in anger. 1t was Flinter who was
speaking.
Curse him! what has brought him here
to NEEDLE with everything! You may be-
lieve me or not, as YOU like, but if that
internal boy is not put out of the way, and
quickly, too, We may as we'll give up the
game"
/ heard no more. There was faint
murmur as though some one responded to