Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-01-16

evermay have been Monsieur Aucas-
sins shortcomings, he had yet attended
carefully Ia his daughters education,
aud her voice especially he had had
trained by the best masters, although
To compass this result he was often
himself out nj the elbows. Music was
now Aimee's absorbing delight, and,
as little occurred to disturb the routine
Of the days, she spent more and more
time in the little gray, lone church,
which had by some chance possessed
an unusually good organ.
One afternoon, in the tardy, North
Country spring. she wandered into the
church. thinking TO delay her walk TO
the village only "A few moments, but
the short afternoon slipped away and
still she sal before the organ, her
fingers stryiug dreamily over the
yellow keys. until at last the gather.
ing twilight reminded her of the
errand with which she had started
from home Reproaching herself for
her forgetfulness, she moved hastily
10 the door Ii was locked fast
For moment horror possessed her,
as she realized that she was alone in
the church. Unoccuplcd buildings
seem Ia take on an oppressive iudi-
viduality at night quite different from
their cheerful daytime impersonality.
But Aimee knew every part OF the
dim church by heart and she soon dis
prlied her fears. Some one would
miss hcr aud come for her, and if not,
surely there was nothing very terrible
in the thought of staying there all
night. She dragged several cushions
together, settled herself as comfortably
AS she could. and while musing on the
novelty of her position fell asleep.
What occult perception ii is that
stands sentinel overthc sleeping senses
science has not yet told us, but that
there is such perception has been
many times indicated. Suddenly
Aimee started and sat upright with a
wide eyed consciousness that there
was some one beside herself in
the church. The clear moonlight
streaned through the mullioned win
dows and fell full upon the dusky
oaken pulpit Aimee raised her eyes
slowly from the covered figures at its
base, dreading, yet irrcslstibly inn
PEELED TO look higher. Then she saw
near the curate's desk dark figure
looming long and gaunt in the moon
light.
II was only the shadow that some
Scuddlug cloud had cast. she told her.
self, and what seemed 10 be cleaning
eyes liked upon her were the cleaning
silver clasps Of the great Bible. But
the illusion did not seem to vanish.
Slowly the figure moved down the
pulpit stairs. sliding one hand along
the railing His frame had apparent
ly been one OF great physical vigor,
but il WAS now cmaciated, and the
clothes hung Imply upon ii, rs if they
shared in the decline of physical ener-
gy. His great, lamp like eyes were
fixed full on the face of the terrified
girl. aud in moment there flashed
through Aimee's mind the belief that
she was face To face with the mystery
of MaiDck's tower.
OF ghosss she had no fear. but TO be
Gagged al midnight in lonely church
with iunallc for company was
enough To strike terror 10 a stouter
heart than that of a irail girl Of ~
To shrek would be useless. for the
church was removed from the Travelled
way, ard stood upon windy hill
overlooking the village; she lad,
moreover. sufficient cooIness To realize
that outcrics might provoke violence.
The mute figure came nearer. The
soft pat OF its footsteps sounded dis
tinctly on the floor. and she could hear
its breath coming in sharp, hard gasps.
II reached out its hand and Aimee felt
the clasp Of long, boDy fingers on her
arm. For "A moment her head swan
sud she shivcrcd with horror Then a
recollection came To her. Had she
once heard or had she dreamed that
music was thought To have Il soothing
effect upon the insane! On the inspi-
ration Of the moment she began TO
sing the first air that occurred to her
a gay little dance song in grotcSque
contrast 10 the horror that almost over
powered her senses.
The man sank down beside her, with
out loosening his hold upon her arm.
Her voice was broken and echoed
strangely through the church, but
gradually her tones grew clearer, and
under the tension of the singular ex-
citement she felt that she was singing
as she had never sung before.
One thing after another she sang,
melodies and martial strains, snatches
from the opera with fantastic improv-
isations, fitting ballads and grooming
cradle songs The lunatic listened
with strained attention. Varying ex-
pressions swept across his face. But
bis eyes were still bent upon her face.
Full and tender. her voice rang out
in the grand solo from Elijah, 20 Rest
in the Lord, and wait Patiently for
Him, and He Will Give Thee Thy
Hearts Desire" Sweet and comfort
ing were tire words, and the blind
emotions which before had been
reused by the mere musical sound now
seemed To find definite expression.
Slowly his grasp relaxed, and his
eyes wore the look of one whose soul
was turned in upon itself In thought,
rather than that Of distracted mind.
Sometimes he brushed his hand across
his forehead as one who knows not
whether he wakes or dreams.
The night dragged itself away, and