Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-21

to follow lC. The morbid CurlOSlLy was | agaln seizing me and determined to open the | great door. I had forgotten Peggy under tho strange influence of this midnight expe- | riencc, and boldly reached for the key in it's | brass ring on the wall. But as l touched the key cold, Icy, shlv- ering sensation went over mo, and stayed my eager hand. The lamps burned brighter now and-and-well, where was Ia
 A noise behind me caused me to turn quickly and, half alarmed, ! noticed that Peggy and Ancil were standing in the pas sage-way. How very long they have been standing there, I-thought; then came the balf-awake sensation, and l realized that they were waiting for me.
 When they saw me looking at them they called to mo to 'coom away from there"
 At sight of their familiar faces I started and awoke, shaking off the lethal charm, to realize where really was. As the knowl- edge came to me, instantly became terri fled, and rushing across the hall fell faint ing ill Peggy's arms.
 When I came to my senses once more l was lying on the low settee in the servants quarters, and the housekeeper was mop ping my forehead alternately with camphor and water, and moaning as if her heart were broken.
 opened my eyes languidly, and looked up at the dear old soul bending over me. half frightened exclamation of joy burst from her lips.
 "An', me Leddy, an it's yer own swatc self that isn't ded yet. Oi'm glad Oi got yc away from that awful place aforc thim spirits kilt ye."
 "How long was in there alone" asked, the whole of the sensational experience flashing vividly across my mind.
 "Oh! jist n minit Oi thought yer was coming away once from the divilish whus- perin's, but yc went roight along gropin' about like sumthln' stark chrazy, an not a moindn' a wurrud Oi said to yez." It was evident they had seen nothing, so l kept my uncanny vision to myself. Only | minute. Peggy said, and 1t seemed to mo years remembered the awful feeling of | helpless despair that had possession of mo | in that minute, and could not help but think | what must be the punishment in the next l world if one Is allowed such an experience | as only an insight. was sure l had ex- perienced part of Sir Rapert's punish ment, somehow.
 1 closed my eyes wearily and thought of Dante. Had he such insights as I had ex- | perienceda The depths of despair, with | just strength enough to endure and never become entirely exhausted, coupled with the desperate knowledge that it was too late! too late! l am fully satisfied with my adventure, and shall hereafter be slow to condemn any plausible ghost-story coming to my ken.
 lay so long with closed eyes and motion
 less form that the old housekeeper came
 my cheek.
 "An' she's worried out and gone to slape,
 she is," murmured she, turning away but
 could not have slept for love nor money
 If my repose satisfied Peggy, felt willing
 to keep up the feigned sleeping process iu
 order that I might think. could do thai
 with wonderful distinctness, but as fol
 sleep, it was far from me.
 .'Its near mornin'," 1 heard Peggy say
 '.an' she'll slape full well tho rest O the
 noight here."
 So, suiting her actions to her plans, sht
 covered me with blanket, pulled Q little a
 the pillow under my head, perhaps to see i
 was yet alive, and reckoned to Ancil tha
 they "moight as well go to bed, If the,
 couldn't shut ther oes for the first wink 0
 slape."
 That nights experience left me in yer,
 nervous state, and it was days before felt
 like Richard, myself again. Peggy did no
 add to my comfort, either, by remarkinI
 each morning: "An' how white and 'fraid
 lookin' ye are, to be sure."
 But, as time settles all things earthly,
 settled my nerves at last>4and began t
 speak of going back to Cousin Gladys littl
 cottage. Peggy's blank face and hearty de
 murs kept me several days longer at tn
 Hall than had intended to stay, howeve,
 After all, I am glad now that she kept mt
 on one pretext and another, as long as sh
 did, for thereby 1 was enabled to meet
 friend of Miri;,ul's and perhaps add to he
 happiness on my return. And this is ho'
 1t happened: 1swas walking in the par B alone sa6ching while Peggy was o
 household duties intent, when l espied Q gentleman walking slowly along hedg a not far from me. I was wondering who
 was to have gotten into the inclosure wit out lief, when he looked up and in my d reotion.
 . Seeing that was watching him he can " forward, and. removing his hat with e. . ceeding grace, introduced himself as Alla n Percival, nephew of the deceased Sir R d pert, and cousin to Miriam Percival Fairfa o "pid ever hear of Miriam! Did kno ia of her voyage to America, and just whel .e she was living nowH' were two question " asked almost in breath. The first ono 1,- had scarcely answered hy mo Ir monpsyllable when tho next came, as if # had been kept waiting for years to mal
 itself known.
 H. remembered that Miriam had spoken H. warmly, eloquently of this Allan Perciv 10 that did not hesitate ill talking confdeA h. ally to him. Indeed had thought som r. times when she was speaking ot her LO n, don visit and his illness that in time 10 come Allan might find his affection e turned. wondered if had better tell hi sn she was living with me; then I thought lf should wait a moment and let him speak. "Don't be afraid ot me; I knew Miris ts | went to America, or at least intended s- make the voyage some months since," ,t, said, respectfully, in a most musical voi
 and with those wonderful eyes bent is seechingly on me. "She intended to go Id a place called Bay View to reside with ad lady friend,' he continued, ''ip order to { ,e. away from sight and sound of u ry accursed place." and he looked aroul six while his handsome face grew dark w
 angry sorrow,
 ot CHAPTER XXI. in. "She told me in secret," he said, prese ,as ly, looking up with sigh; ''but as ) .th seem to know of her whereabouts also, p ns sumo 1 am not betraying my cousin ex. stranger or enemy?"
 He paused and his look of inquiry mel ,ss all the reserve was trying to muster, g