The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-02-15

almost imperceptible, then it grew into
a fear, and next a reality. Spellbound
by terror, her own respiration seemed
almost to stop, while every instant the
others breathing became more regular
and distinct. The intruder was certainly
asleep. There was but one place shielded
from her observation-the quaint carved
wooden settle, whose high back was
towards her 1t seemed hours before
she could command sufficient strength
to take another step, so slowly passed
these dull moments Of terror. Atlength
the point was reached, and she saw
something real and physical, but not
the generally received idea Of a house
breaker.
A young man Of six or eight and
twenty, in careless but graceful posi-
ton, one arm under his head for pill
low, the other dropping over the edge
Of the settle, and displaying a firm
white hand that would not have
shamed a lady. His hair and beard
were Of a sunny brown, the upper part
of his broad forehead clear and fair as q
| girls, but the rest Of his face many
shades darker, the fervent color Of tho
SUMS tropical touch. It was handsome,
manly countenance, and losing her fear,
she began to consider where she had seen
il before.
A pleasant, familiar face, one on which
she could place the smile, and remember
precisely how the eyes would look when
the dropping lids were raised. Where
could she have seen it2 She had no
fear Of it now, and longed impatiently
for him to awake. He seemed in no
hurry, though; but presently the sun
rays began to steal over his face, and
then he stretched, yawned and began
slowly TO open his eyes. They did not
rest on Dora Bertrand for some mo
ments, however, and then he sat upright
/ suddenly, as il he had received an cleo
trio shock, his face growing perceptibly
psler every instant. She stood quite
still, unable to speak or fly.
care you Olive HartonT' he asked, at
length, in a constrained tone.
"No." She remembered then, how
she had come to know the face SO well
and added, but you are Allingham
Chorley."
II cannot deny IT," he l. with a
naughty gesture, sand may We confess
ing to friend-sr foe"
There was silence of some seconds;
then he began:
Chow did you come here this morn
ing9'
al live in the house, and Dora longed
to add something more assuring, yet
scarcely knew what to say.
"Indeedi" he said, in surprised tone.
~ thought the house was empty. 1 did
not know Mr.. Harton would dare to let
it," and there was perceptible sneer On
his lip and in his voice.
1--WE came here in May" Dora added.
'I was here In March and heard then
it had never been tenanted. Mr.. Har-
ton is home, OF courseH'
''No, the family are all away and will
not return in several days"
81 must beg you to pardon me" he
said, rising, "for thus entering your
abode. II had been aware Of your re-
siding here or of Mr.. Harton's absence,
should not have chosen this course.
There are reasons why 1 do not care to
have my presence here known; yet, be-
lieve me, would not on any account
have disturbed or alarmed you. May
trust that have not given you too severe
q frightT
Dora could not but smile at thus find
ing herself on familiar terms with per-
son who short half hour ago was the
object of her deepest solicitude and fear.
AS if interpreting the smile, he held out
his hand frankly, and said, in deep, hon
est tones that carried faith with them:
"Let us be friends. need a friend
here sadly, for am an unwilling alien
in the house of my fathers. will prove
to you some day that am not utterly
unworthy of confidence"
Dora took the profered hand. He
seemed 50 little like q stranger that in
| few moments she found herself relating
not only the event that had disturbed
her midnight quiet, but many incidents
concerning the Hartons; and he in turn,
when he found she knew the episode of
his supposed attempt on Mr.. Harton's
life, related what had befallen him since
He had spent FIVE years at the west, in q
mercantile house, and two in Europe.
Now the business had passed into other
hands on account of the death of his en-
ployer, and finding lull in his hitherto
busy life, he had determined to come TO
Chorley Cliffs, and II possible make a
thorough search for the lost will.
"On my return from Europe last
March came out hero for few hours,
and satisfied myself little as to matters
concerning the house. l concluded my
safest course would DO TO gain the tower
unknown to any one. Its reputation Of
being haunted might favor me little,
thought. / reached the next town below
here in time 70 obtain my supper, and
shortly afterward started to walk hither.
The night was 30 beautiful that loitered
on the way, consequently did not ar
rive here until the lights were out, and
not dreaming Of the place being inhab-
tied, proceeded at once to gain entrance.
/ tried twoof the doors below, and found
them fastened, as l supposed should;
then mounted the roof, and finding the
woodwork OF the window partially de-
cayed, with the aid of my knife soon
forced an entrance. / should have been
more careful had supposed the noise
would alarm any one. And now, what
is my sentence to be for thus feloniously
entering your residenoee Please be q
little merciful."
"It was not my house, returned Dora,
with a smile, $50 may be lenient. But
do you really hope to find the willY"
''Ny father died in the positive belief
there was a viii hidden away somewhere.
His brothers wife found hers in a closet
in the room below, a place he had
searched through vRinly. Indeed, he
felt well convinced she must first have
put it there. Mr.. Harton acted very sus-
piciously, think, after his wife's death.
He was not at all willing for me to enter
the tower. Now, II he felt really salts
fed as to my grandfathers viii, why
should be object TO any search I might
like TO maker Ny present purpose is TO
penetrate every conceivable nook or pos
Sible hiding plaoe-that is, II ! can gain