The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-08-30
the side OF u glowing lire. ana solace
his inner man with an abundance of

IN Az vi KUN liz Ilt. anu SbtdCe
his inner nan with an abundance of
Christmas cheer.
Despite the folly of such a proceed
ing, however, Il man, wearing a thick
ulster, and judging from his appearance
well-to-do in the world, certainly was
lettering outside the castle on tho
eyentful night.
face, you Would have seen that he was
yeutg and handsome, and YOU would
probably also have observed that he
was nervous and i'll at ease. as though
he knew he was doing something of
which he was more than half ashamed.
lie seems doubtful now as to whether
he will carry out the Nt;rpose that
brouglt him here, or go away without
accomplishing it.
And yet his object in coming is NOT
to wrong anyone, even though il may
increase his own pain by feeding the
flame of a perfectly hopeless lcse.
Yes, IL Was love that had brought
Frank Fairfield to this cherries spot.
He felt all the keen sorrow of hopeless
love as he wandered outside the house
that held the jewel he adorcd, vet dared
not seek to win.
All through this day the demon OF
unrest has been uponhim, andat length,
unable to control his actions. he had
left his mothers house. and Harvesting
the cob to a phaeton, which he had bor-
roWed for a week from u neighbor, he
drove the old vehicle in the direction IL
Silverton Castle.
Arrived at the outskirts OF the vii
'ase, he left the horse and carriage in a
snea. ana set OIL TO perform the rest of
his journey m foot.
He soon uDt tired nf N,1t;rr HON
ever, and ms lie came near the deep
harrow river, he Observation-Disclosures that
ne could approach the castle in i
boat with very much less chance Of be-
ing recognised.
So. i'll spite OF the cold. he took a
dlngy, and then. though the darkness
of night was setting in. lie began to row
towards the castle, for lie knew every
winding OF the stream that flowed be-
meath its walls.
1t was quite dark when he moored
his boat under the Castle walls, and
went cautiously round the mansion, to
inspect it. and to try to catch one
glimpse of Kate,
The dcgsdid iotbark at his approach,
for they knew him, and he had some
difficulty in quietly getting away from
their too administrative affection.
But the object of his fatiguing jour
ney was not attained. He could not
get into any position where he could
see Kate without being observed and
recognised.
He did not wish to speak to her. He
only wanted to look upon her face, and
to know that she was happy.
The hours went by, and he was be-
coming sick and nuInbed, and his heart
was heavy. for the sounds Of mirth and
JOY, 6f Music and laughter. were in
painfully strange contrast to his own
desolate condition.
The falling snow warned him that he
must soon retrace his steps and make
for his mothers cottage, for his practis-
ed eye told him that the snow-storm
would be both q long aud a heavy one.
Il VIII see her, come what may" he
multered with sudden resolution, when
midnight was approaching, and the
sound of music from the hall had
ceased.
He approached the disused tower,
very close to which his boat was moor
ed, and pulling aside some low bushes,
he felt about in the darkness for some
time with his hands.
At length he seemed to find what he
wanted, for his hand came in contact
with q small grating. and half lifting
this he was able totalie holdof ahandle
which, on being turned, enabled him to
push inward a portion Of the masonry
at the foot OF the tower as though It
We're a door.
This indeed it was. an iron door, with
stone so carefully and cunningly fitted
upon ii that only person who knew
the secret could ever detect the spot, or
suspect the existence of any means of
lngreSS.
Frank passed through this door. but
he did not close it, for he had no fear
ct anyone disturbing him. and hemeant
to enter the castle Without observation
and hide himself in some dark corner,
so that he might have one view of the
gay scene in the ballroom. where the
lady he loved was sure to be the belle,
and then he intended to return to the
grounds as he came. leaving o trace Of
his stolen visit behind him.
He had not been in this place for
many years and he advanced carefully
and cautiously. more than once tempted
to strike a light. yet fearful Of betray-
ing himself by doing 50.
This fear was increased by two or
three strange circumstances.
In the first place the wind seemed to
rush through the vaulted passage in q
i'Ellttt bliSt. anu uc
%ofcourse he could not be sure, as there
was no light to guide him,that the
false floor of the chamber above must
be out OF its place.
scar OF detection, and OF coming sud-
denly upon somebody he knew, made
him stand and eagerly listen for every
sound.
lie had just come to the conclusion
that whatever might be the condition
of the floor above. the coast for himself
was clear. and ne was about to take a
few steps forward and mount the iron
ladder which he had often used before,
when the rash of wind increased and
the sound of voices overhead became
distinct.
There seemed to be words of expostu-
lation and of encouragement, then there
wasa despairing gasp of terroras some
thing appeared to fall.
Whatever it was its descent was ar
rested for a moment, but only for a mo-
ment, then with a heavy thud the some-
thing fell close to his very feet.
lie looked up. but there was no light.
Whatever ii might be that was lying
so close to him it uttered no sound, and
he was standing bewildered, not know
ing what to do. hesitatin" whether to
go away at once. or strike a light and
ascertain what had happened. when. as
lie was hesitating and doubling, he
heard indistinctly a voice overhead. and
then, more plainly. the grating sound
o. the floor above being forced back in
to its proper place.
Ii was only al this moment that the
conviction daWnad upon his mind that
some fearful crime had been committed
of which he had been the un%intentional
and unsupported witness.
y low groan close beside him reused
him to immediate action. and he took a
box OF w~lN-lnatches from his pocket
and struck a light.
ITO be continued.)
Mourning Clothes.
Much might be done toward abolish
r. IL