Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1888-11-22

WlQeneQ INTO sort or VeStlbule large
enough to hold table and chair, and
bent off in one direction into sort Of al
cove. | could not suppress an exclama-
tion of delight as l discovered a
short candle on the table. Besides
this candle the table held pens,
ink, paper and an odd copper salver
with a heavy wrought rim in antique
design, the center smooth, polished sur
face. An odd ornament for this strange
place, thought. looked at the pens.
One had been recently used. AS sat un-
decided whether to call for help, or await
the return of the habitges Of the place
for my release, light flashed upon me
tering thing-a locket with jeweled
monogram. pressed the spring, and dis
closed a dark, wicked, magnifcently
handsome face. 1 knew it in an instant
that of Alvarez Dacarro a man whose
name few years ago had been ON every
lip, who was now remembered for his
wickedness and his perfdy, who was
under sentence of death, and who had
despoiled Reynolds Herholfs father-in-
law of half his fortune through the
strange, magnetic influence he had ac-
quired over his daughter She at one
time had wished to marry him, but had
been made, it was said, to see his perfdy
before it was too late.
! The locket, supposed, had been Mrs.
Herholfs, and the maid who nsed this
passage for her midnight meeting proba-
| bly, had stolen it.
Putting the jewel in my pocket, l began
again, with the aid of the candle, fresh
search for hidden springs returned to
the further end of the gallery, as that
surface was a smaller one to look over. l
had passed many times from end to end
of the smooth stone, pressing each spot
separately, before l noticed mere pin
point, where the stone seemed slightly
roughened. pressed it. A door swung
quickly open on noiseless hinges, and
draught blew some silken fabric across
my cheek. freed myself from the ma
terial and looked around me. The bright
moonlight. through a large window,
showed me my own rooml
went to the door. 1t was bolted, as
had left it, My room, then, was in the
secret passage route. l examined the
paneled wall, but could discover no sign
of doorway, and as there was nothing
to be developed by conjectures, | soon fell
asleep.
Twice during the following day sought
an interview with Mrs. Herholf, but was
unable to see her. l had determined to
tell her all | knew of the use which was
being made of the secret passage, and to
restore her locket, as well as seek an ex-
PLANTATION of my ''silver ghost" as had
called my nightly visitor. Herholf was
confined to his room, and his wife re-
manned with him.
Worn out with my watch of the night
before, retired early, and soon fell into
heavy sleep, from which the oppressive
sultriness of the night reused me. Invent
to the window. The thick darkness was
only the more manifest by the occasional
brilliant flashes in the south, which fore
told an approaching storm. l was seated
by an open window close to the tapestried
wall.
Suddenly l seemed to hear or feel hu-
man breath. | caught my own, and lis
tened with an intensity of purpose which
defeated it's own object. The blood
whirred in heavily pulsing stream past
my ears, in its round to and from the
brain. Like flash the white, floating,
illuminate figure came and melted away,
at the other end Of the wall, as felt
through the tapestry curtain the contact
of passing human figure close by mel
Now l knew that what had seen had
been reflection! No wonder it had
melted to nothingness when l seized it.
waited few seconds, and then slip
ping noiselessly the panel had learned
to know last night, entered the gallery.
1t was, as | expected to find it, dark and
empty. | groped my way slowly to the
lower end. A strong blast of wind and the
beating of rain on the wall outside an
nounced the arrival Of the storm.
A strong glare overhead made me for
the first time aware that light from the
outer world entered here l now saw
above me glass plate, clear, but very
heavy, semi-circular in form and semi
horizontal in position; doubtless unnotice-
able from without, but concentrating in
daytime fair light on the table.
The wind was bearing the storm OF
rapidly; each moment there were renewed
peals of thunder, and an almost constant
stream of light came through the circle Of
glass.
/ was determined to await my visitors
return, and looked about for a hiding
place. A jutting corner offered the shelter
I sought. stepped into it, and as did
SO, dislodged some material which must
have hung on peg above me, and which
fell, covering my head and shoulders In
soft, close, yet metallic folds. threw it
quickly off, and it fell to the floor in heap
which glittered strangely in the flashes
of light. took it up quickly and bore it
to the nearer light. 1t was blindingly
dazzling-a curiously wrought suit Of
finest silver wire, soft and yielding as
silk. folded it, as might have done
silk handkerchief, and put it into my
pocket. Twas no longer at loss for my
nightly visitors silvery whiteness!
A half hour more had passed, There
was sudden rush Of air from the outer
world, bearing withit the increased sound
of water pouring heavily down. Steps
upon the stone pavement, and knew N.Y.
self, at last, shut in with the ghost Of
Penares.
listened with beating heart. The
tones of a mans voice fell on my ear, fol-
lowed by those Of woman in reply. Both
were suppressed, but could occasionally
distinguish a word or detached parts Of
sentences. Sometimes with tender in
Election, more usually with eager accent
and indicating an absorbing topic.
Once the mans tones became quite
clear.
"White powder. if the drops don't
answer. Remember, by Thursday-beats
forty five
A Asudden peal of deafening thunder
drowned the tones, and when l conld dis |
tinguish them again he was saying:
''Be sure OF your work. We shall have |
nothing to fear-everything to hope"
A few moments silence, then whispered |
words. l guessed through the darkness |
that he was leaving her. By sudden
fash SOW him bend over the table,. and
lifting the waiter, disclose an opening |
from which he took roll of papers. He |