Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-26

Lilian's, and just outside her door Tho con-
tinuation of the staircase led to the large
open attic above At the southern end of
this was small room, supposed to have been
once used as retreat for the savages or by
smugglers for their dark purposes. But, as
few deserted ears Of seed corn dangling
from blackened rafter testified, it had
been more lately used for purposes domestic.
Leading down from this small room and
connected with it by a once unnoticeable
door-now prominently hung with leather
hinges-was the secret staircase referred TO
By Miss Lillian. 1t was built beside the
chimney and had connected with the cellar
by means Of G trap door and movable ladder,
both long since vanished. There was theory
among the people of the town that from the
cellar an underground passage had led to the
Glenfield river, a little more than hundred
rods distant.
The sisters prepared for the night with
little conversation. Miss Lillian was thought
ful; Miss c. Anna sleepy. The latter made
some final observations regarding the proba-
bnity of Maria's having forgotten to put the
oatmeal to soak, and no further sound issued
from her room. Equally silent was the snug
nest of Miss Lillian But she was not sleep
ing. The moonlight was go brilliant that the
very color of each article in the room was
apparent, and the moon seemed to have
brought again to her mind Old tales she had
heard Of those who after death had revisited
its glimpses. Even the vigorous figure Of
Halieck Dubeaux had given place to these
shadowy ones.
An old New England house that had stood
through Indian warfare, with the wild Shrek
ing around it, like a faint echo of earlier ard
fiercer cries, may well can forth uncanny
thoughts. These with company around and
> roaring fire, may give morbid pleasure.
But, with silence around, and no fire, their
invoker is aptto become their victim. When
Hiss Lillian finally fell asleep the clock had
struck r.
Her next memory is OF having started up
with the instructive feeling that she must
listan for something. Perhaps the town
clock awakened her, for, as she listened with
straining ears, the first stroke Of 8 rang out
on the tempestuous night air. 1t ceased.
But for the wind, all was still. Miss Lillian
remained in the position she had first taken,
raised slightly on one elbow, with head
stretched toward the door. Every pulse in
Ter body seemed 20 be pounding about her
ears. She wondered, in vague way, if they
would not prevent her hearing that for which
she was listening. And what was thata She
did not know. 1t was absurd; she would
speak TO her sister and shake OFF this night
mare. She knew that she was awake. But
her mouth was dry; even to attempt to speak
was impossible for her; she could only listen.
And listen she did, seemingly frozen into
his attitude.
What was that2 It sounded like the
.stealthy shutting of a door downstairs Was
II tho wind! That does not, habitually,
SHUT doors carefully. Indistinct ideas Of hor-
rible things rushed through her confused
mind But she could not move; heart and
arteries could beat louder, that was all Yet,
ia spite of these, she heard something else; q
metallic juggling came from some distant
quarter. But there was also nearer sound
that of q suppressed cluinping step on the
stairs. This reached the top and paused.
How she summoned energy she did not
lnow-bub to listen better it seemed to her
Hiss Lillian at this point had somehnw got
from her bed to the door. She caught at the
handle, and not having been latcbed the door
swung open. Ciinging to it she stood with
eyes now straintng, as well ears. The sound
vas coming on again. 1t seemed to her like
shoes. But she saw nothing in the long hall,
which was not dark, although the wind clouds
dimIned the moon from time to time The
dumping approached, and, suddenly, from
below, sounding loud above her throbbing
hearts din, she heard the door into the lower
hall thrown open and up the. stairs came the
jingling sound.
Before this reached the upper hall the
IL
foot Of the stairs leading to the attic She
saw nothing till lowering her glance to the
floor she beheld rushing by her and up the
.tairs, in frantic haste, pair of ancient
pointed toed shoes, nothing morei No form,
no spectral light even appeared above them.
But awful in their very enptiness-awful,
because propelled by some unseen power
awful, because Of their human haste and
activity-they rushed on, expressing in each
step the despair of one who makes wild
dash for liberty.
There was a tirInness, an elasticity In each
Of these steps that suggested youth and ap-
pealed to the girl who stood staring stiff with
horror rs resembling those Of ono she knew
An added siokeuing thrill passed through
her nerves, and seized by an unreasoning i'm
pulse she rushed up the stairs after them.
Behind her, with increasing haste, was COM
ing the jingling sound The shoes dashed
INTO the chamber on the southern end of the
yarret and were descending the secSet stair
case-the girl following, uncertain of her
safety-when the pursuing sound, which now
she somehow felt TO be that OF spurs, came
INTO the little room and ceased. Still she
descended, sick with fright, total darkness
around, the shoes just ahead Of her.
Suddenly there was shutting; she sprang
uack at the sensation Of proximity to this
hing. The shutting sound was over almost
instantly. It was shat made by feet trying
vainly to cling to support from which they
ire in the act OF stepping confidently to other
support below, which, too Late they found
wanting. They then make this momentary
.utile effort, chastity in its despair. A sound
EoId that the shoes had fallen to the cellar
bottom.
Miss Lillian dropped. back, half stupehed,
into sitting posture on the steps, her head
dropping over her knees,
Here she was found by her much alarmed
sister and the grooming servant, Maria, at 8
O'Clock IL the morning. The open door at
the head OF the staircase had given the clew.
The drSt thing she was conscious OF was the
voice OF Maria, wailing:
20, be You dead, Miss7 And sure. if she
amt, Miss''-this TO Miss c. Anrn- "she will
% before we can get her up alive, with her
neck all hroke, as it must bel"
Hush commanded the voice Of Miss @.
Anna, as, pushing her assistant aside she
hastily descended TO her sister. She at once
helped that chilly individual TO her feet,