Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-10-10
CHAPTER XVI.

In these last days of his unlucky life,
these last weary days, every thing con-
duciye to lingering remorse had united
against the proud soul of Sir Rupert, even
the old facade suggested tomb.
1t only needed little something more To
tip the balance, and in favor of hastening
demise Sir Rupert could say: II am ready.
Obi Charon; st..hd waiting on the treach-
erous sands.n
Peevish and restless he finally grew
spending hours in climbing up and down
the silent staircases, echoing only to his
faltering steps.
Sometimes resting on the landings, be
would mutter to himself of the deceased
Lady Percival, and of Miriam, and often OF
the little grandson.
Then there came time when he riskeo
the staircase no longer alone; and in
these wretched days he strayed about the
dark, gloomy corridors above during the
long, monotonous summer afternoons, but
oftener in the midnight watches.
The whole household were daily growing
nervous and uneasy, and were obliged L
occupy rooms near those of their master IN
order that his many strange fancies NIGH
be the easier looked after.
One great Authorization of these desper
ate days was Sir Rupert imagined that Mi
riam was secreted in the Hall somewhere
and he caught her peeping through the
half-open doors, and waking him so otter
from his afternoon maps, he said. koi
hours and hours he would search alonE
the halls and corridors, going with stealthl
step and unwearying patience. Often be
would pause in these searches and listen
long and nnxiously for the sound of hei
footstep and the music Of her voice. Some
times he would start up at dead of NIGH
and cry out, eagerly: "Oh she is coming
now; Miriam, my beautiful daughter, Is
coming; can hear her steps on the stairs 7
Growing contented after these outbursts
and glad flights Of expectation, he would
wait quietly for her appearing until another
nervous attack seized him, or he had quits
forgotten whom he was waiting for.
| lOnce he was so determined that Miriam
had been in his apartments and had touched
him on his arm, awakening him from I
sound nap, that all the servants had TO bs
aroused 70 search for her because he failed
to find her All accomplishing the sleepy
household instituted mock sc arch to quie
him.
So thus IN the midnight hour, with taper'
alight, they moved slowly about the silent
gloomy rooms, above aud below. searching
for the satisfaction Of their master, who fol
lowed them in his feeble march, leaning OF
the arm Of one of their number and talking
necessarily of his children.
After hours OF marching to aud fro, hithel
and thither, at Sir Rupert's designation, hs
YEARLY concluded she was hiding In tht
gallery, ard no words OF persuasion would
deter him from going thither. A search ID
that lonely OF all lonely rooms at Heather
leigh was all that would pacify him, and
with many misgivings and superstition
fears crowding their courage to the wall tbs
servants led him into the chamber Of sorrows
and bitter memories. Ancil and James
guided Sir Rupert's feeble steps, and ths
trembling Peggy went ahead with Lighted
taper
aH0wly mother OF ChristI' she eJacu
lated, as she stepped aside for Marcia to un
| lock the apartment, IAN If this ghostll
perade wud only COON 10 an ind Ord faie re
laved immensely
The key grated in the unused lock, tbs
heavy door swung open, and the party en-
tered the midnight gloom Of the masty
close atmosphere Of the gallery.
On entering, Sir Rupert cast 6 quick, in
| curing glance around him. as II really ex
| pecting to see Mirisra somewhere IL u:
siesn, but nstEiHs save tAs empty ssasss'