The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-04-11

TO follow it. The morbid curiosity was
again seizing me and determined TO open the
great door. l had forgotten Peggy under
the strange influence of this midnight expe-
rlencc, and boldly reacneo lor the Key III us
. brass ring on the wall
: But as / touched the key cold, ICY, shiv-
ering sensation went over me, and stayed
nv eager hand. The lamps burned brighter
now and-and-well, where was IL
A noise behind me caused me to turn
quickly and, half alarmed, I noticed that
Peggy and Ancil were standing in the pas
sage-way. How very long they have been
standing there, / thought; then came the
half-awalze sensation, and realized that
they were waiting for me.
When they saw me looking at them they
called to me 10 "coom away from there"
At sight Of their familiar faces / started
and awoke, shaking of the lethal charm, 70
realize where I really was. As the knowl-
edge came to me, instantly became terri
fed, and rushing across the hall fel 1alnt-
ing in Peggy's arms. Q
When came TO my senses once more ]
was lying on the low settee in the servants
quarters, and the housekeeper Was mop
ping my forehead alternately with caInphor
and water, and moaning as II her heart
Were broken. "
Iopened nv eyes languidly, and looked
up at the dear Old soul bending over me- A
half-trightened exclamation OF Joy burst
from her lips.
sAn', me Leddy, an it's yer own swate
self that isn't ded yet. Orm glad Oh got
sc away from that awful place afore thin
spirits kilt ye-'
-.Hoyy Ion 2 was lin there alone!'' asked,
the whole Of the sensational experience
flashing viyidly across my mind $40
ssOhi list mint Oi thought yer was
coming away ouce from the d.viIsh whus-
perin's, but We went roight along gropin'
about like surntifi1' stark chrazy, an not q
rnoindin' wurrud Oi said TO yez.'
II was evident they had seen nothing, SO
kept my uncanny VISION 10 myself Only
minute, Peggy SAID, aud II seemed 70 me
years. remembered the awful feeling Of
helpless despair that had possession Of me
in that minute, and could not help but think
what must be tine punishment in tine next
world If one IS allowed such experience
as only an insight i was sure L had ex-
perlenced a part of Sir Rupert's punish
ment, somehow
/ closed my eyes wearily and thought Of
Dante Had he such insights as / had ex-
periencedi The depths Of despair, with
lust strength enough 10 endure aud never
become entirely exhausted, coupled with
the desperate knowledge that il was too
latef too latel I am fully SATISFIED with nv
adventure, and shall hereafter be slow 10
condemn any plausible ghost-stOry coming
TO my ken .... ........-. .-- e
Hay so long with closed eyes and motion
less form that the old housekeeper came
and bent over me until felt her breath on
my cheek.
'-An' she's worried out and gone TO slape,
she is,' murmGred she, turning away; but
could not have slept for love nor money.
| If my repose satisfied Peggy, I felt willing
20 keep up the felsned sleeping process In
order that l might think could do that
with wonderful distinctness, but as for
sleep, il was far from me.
''Irs near mornin','' l heard Peggy say.
san' she'll shape full well the rest o. the
| noight here"
So, suiting her actions TO her plans, she
covered me with blanket, pulled a little at
ths pillow under my head, perhaps TO sec if
! was yet alive, and reckoned to Ancl that
they ''moight well go TO bed, II they
cou!dn Z smut uner oIes Tor the nrsJ WINK o.
shape" -rf r.a' 80 aTr.
That nights experience left me in a very
| nervous state and II was days before felt,
like Richard, myself again Peggy did not
add 10 my comfort, either, by remarkIng
each morning: "An' how white and 'fraid-
| lookIn' We are, TO be sure"
| But, as time settles all things earthly, II
settled my nerves at last, and began TO
speak of going back to Cousin Gladys little
! cottage. Peggy's blank face and hearty de
| nurs kept me several days longer at the
| Hall than had intended to stay, however.
| After all, am glad now that she kept me,
on one pretext and another, as long as she
did, for thereby L was enabled to meet a
| friend of Miriam's and perhaps add to her
| happiness on my return. And this is how
| it happened was walking in the park
alone one morning while Peggy was on
! household duties intent, when espied a
! gentleman walking slowly along a hedge
not far from me. 1 was wondering who he
was 70 have gotten into the inclosure with
I out lief, when he. looked up and in my di-
/ rection- g zEs.# r.rr .sH--s..
| 1 Seeing that was watching him he came
| forward, and, removing his hat with ex-
ceeding grace, introduced himself as Allan
| PerciVal, nephew of the deceased Sir Ru-
| pert, and cousin to Miriam Percival Fairfax
! ''Did ever hear of Miriaml Did know
| of her voyage TO America, and just where
| she was living now:' were two questions
asked almost in breath. The first one !
had scarcely answered by mere
monosyllable when the next came, as If il
had been kept waiting for. years 10 make
itself known.
remembered that Miriam had spoken so
| warmly, eloquently of this Allan Percival
that did not hesitate in talking confidenu-
ally to him. Indeed l had thought some
times when she was speaking of her Lon
don visit and his Illness that in time to
come Allan might find his affection re-
turned wondered if had better tel him
she was living with me; then j thought j
should wait a moment and let him speak
Don't be afraid of me; / knew Miriam
went TO America, or at least intended TO
make the voyage some months SINCE" he
said, respectfully, IN most musical voice,
and with those wonderful eyes bent be-
seechingly on me. "She intended TO go TO
place called Bay View 10 reside with a
lady friend,'' he continued, "in order to get
away from sight and sound of this
accursed place." and he looked around,
while his handsome face grew dark with
angry sorrow