The Red Cloud chief., 1889-11-22
CHAPTER Xxx

rate OF S1r rupert OUG every lace Was Ce-
corously calm as a summer sunset, and be
was disappointed
CHAPTER Xxx
News Of Sir Rupert PercivaI's death spread
far and near. And former friends aud fire.
Quenters Of the Hail whom he had kept al
a distance by bis gruf. unsociable manners
of ate years anne quietly in aud, standing
by the silver-friaged and richly mounted
coffin, gazed down on the proud old face,
which seemed 10 wear, ever n death, a look
Of f~orbidiance.
But where was the daughter. Neighbors
stood in two's and three's grouped about
consulting on the matter. Futile efforts
were made TO fnd her. Word was sent here
and there. Her beautiful home miles away
was Visited by a courier dispatched with the
sad news Of death; but strangers were
there who either knew nothing Of her
whereabouts or intended TO keep them a re-
cre,. Gossip had il that Miriam Pe-cival
Fairfax had dr.frei to London II SO. who
could find her. did she desire 10 remain hid
den. in time for the burial Of Sir Rupert.
So the matter reluctantly dropped and fur
tuer preparations tx the burial went On.
On the night following his death, as tee
body Of the dead master lay in state IL the
long, dreary Grawing-rool, and the
watchers patrolled the gloomy old hall. a
spirit Of evil or Of something fully as disa-
greeab.e seemed 10 30 scutderins through
the air.
The servants did not retire. they could
70. rest with the corpse OF their Old master
under the same roof with them. So they
50, crouching here and there, soleun-vis-
-. - F-z-- - s-,T--I--a-T- nlarra
or IN little clusters.
I: was midnight and al was silent as the
dead Sir Rupert, when the handle OF the
great hall door turned noiselessly, the
door was pushed open softly and a stately
figure. a lady in deep Uourning and heavily
vailed. gIicei in. Without taking the leas.
notice Of the watchers sitting midd.e-way
of the hall, and needless Of Peggy and
Ancil occupying the lowest step OF The
stairs, she moved quietly and without hest
ta,ion toward the 6rawIng-roou door This
she opened and disappeared within, the
door closing quickly after her.
The watchers 5 AIRED at each other and
fed into another part OF tie house Ike
hunted deer.
'Oh!" they said to the terrified servants
in the dining hall, .-r must De Lady Per-
CT. q. COC1c S6NA W IOth o&lCN ACI IASO4J4-
Peggy clutched her husbands arm IL
mute dismay. and both watched the sylph-
Ike movement OF the mysterious person II
black with dumb amaZernent. and neither
had the power 10 speaker stir, so great was
their transformation.
One by one the servants, having heard
the account Of the ter-or-s,ricken watchers.
carne ding into the central hall in their
stockings and cloth shoes quietly and with
white. questioning faces. The watchers
followed sfsr OF. determined to find the
coast clear this time or vamose for good
What was it," asked James. c9ning
close to the two old frightened Hioeruians
on the stairway, who had neither moved nor
spoken siEce the watchers fed.
by al the howiy saints, how'd ger ques-
tons to yerself,'' whispered AnciL- Not
van av Us knows
Presently q low mean Of deepest anguish
came from the tawing-rOon. foIowed oy a
deep. so0biug sound
'.Oa! howly Mary! an it is Miriam and
Peggy Garrison started quickly to her feet
sud took q step toward the door.
But the silent. mysterious figure in black
anticipated her movements and caue swift
~ out in the hall and giided out through the
STcal OScI way A~SoPHSoAAS IL sNS e
ness instantly.
At this strange visitant's manner each one
present was so ascouished and helplessly
thunders.ruck that for fully five minutes
not a soul stirred nor uttered a word. After
the shock TO their nerves had worn OF
enough TO admit Of speech. James said: Il
know that it vas Miriam" in such q posi-
tive tone that his words carried conviction
20 their hearts.
Then the connection among the servants
was simply Understandable and starting in
the utmost sense. They rushed hithec and
thither with lights. calling the beloved mis-
tress 10 pleading tones TO come back, and
grew almost frantic in their vain eadeav-
ers to find Miriam. No, trace Of her could
be found.
After their long and fruitIess search to
find their beloved mistress or unravet the
mystery Of the midnight visitor, they gave
il Up, ~lamenting their failure in heart
breaking EXPLANATIONS Of genuine sorrow.
tn dead master was wholly forgotten By
the excited household for the time, such
their love for the daughter, whom they
were positive had walked like a spirit into