The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-04-16
eyes rnar are watching MIN through a
| nhinic IN the nnn0Sita l0Nr'

Even now II 0CcurS TO hlni bow I'M
pleasant might be the consequences
Should the door close and the secret
lock fasten him III against his will. He
pushes the door well open, and holds it
SO. and then tries whether it can fall
to again Of its own accord, and SO make
a prisoner OF him.
No; it stands quite open, immovabie
apparently, and so, convinced that he
is safe enough, he commences his
search. Then, swift as lightning, a
form darts from its concealed position,
rusheS up TO the stone staircase,
stealthily creeping still nearer, glances
into the room.
Sir !Adriails back is turned; he is
STOPPING. locking III every corner fox
the missing rr;Ze. He secs nothing,
hears nothing, though 4 trcacheroUs
form crouriling OF the threshold IS
making ready to seal his doom.
Arthur Dynecourt. putting forth his
hand. which neither trembles ne- fa;'
tiers on its deadly mission, silently lays
hold of the door. and drawing 1t to
ward him the secret lock clicks sharp
II, and separates the victim from the
world!
Stealthily even now-his evil deed
omplished-.lrthW Dyrecourt re-
treats down the stairs. and never IN
deed relaNeS his speed until at length
he stands painting. but relentless, IN the
servants corridor again.
RenorSe he knows not. But a Ger
tain sense of fear holds him irresolute,
making his limbs tremble and bringing
out cold dews upon his brow. His
rival is safely secured, out OF all
harms way as far as he is concerned.
No human being saw him go to the Ill
fated tower: no human voice heard
him declare his intention of searching
it for the missing rinket. Ue--Arthur
had been careful before parting from
him to express his settled belief that
Sir Adrian would not 60 to the haunt
ed chamber. and therefore he feels pre-
pared to defend his case successfully.
even should the baronet be lucky
enough to find deliverer.
Yet he is not quite easy in his mind.
Fear of discovery. fear OF Sir Adrian s
displeasure. fear of the world, fear of
the rope that already seems to dangle
in red lines before his eyes render him
the yeriest coward that walks the
earth. Shall he return and release his
prisoner, and treat the whole thing as a
Joke, and 50 leave Adrian free to dis
pense his bounty at the castle, to en-
tertain in his lavish fashion, to secure
the woman upon whom he-Arthur-
has set his heart for his brideS
No: a thousand lines no. a few
short DAYS. an all will belong to Ar
thur Dynecourt. He will be Sir Ar
thur" then, and the bride he covets
will be unable to resist the temptation
of title. and the chance Of being mis-
tress Of the stately old pile that will
call him master. Let Sir Adrian die
then in his distant garret alone, deS-
pairing. undiscoverable, For who
would think Of going to the haunted
room in search Of him? Who will even
guess that any mission, however I'M
portant, would lead him to it. without
having mentioned it to some one: 1t IS
a greWsome spot. seldom visited and
gladly forgotten; and, indeed, what
possibly could there be in its bare walls
and its bloodstained floors to attract
anv one? No; surely it is the last placs
to suspect any one would 60 to without
a definite purpose; and what purpose
could Sir Adrian have of going there?
So far Arthur feels himself safe. He
turns away, and joins the women and
the returned sporstmen in the upper
drawing-room.
where is Dynecourt?" asks some
body later. Arthur, though he hears
the question. does not even change
color, but calmly, with steady hand,
gives Florence her tea.
eyes: where is Sir Adrian" asks
Mrs. Talbot, glancing up at the speaker.
HE left us about an hour ago." Capt.
fer walking home, and he shoveled his
birds into our cart, and left US without
another word. He'll turn up presently,
no doubt"
Dear me, 1 hope nothing has hap
pered to him." says Ethel Villiers,
who is sitting in a window through
which the rays of the evening sun are
stealing, turning her auburn locks to
threads Of rich red gold.
/ II hope not, I'm sure interposes
Arthur, quite feelingly. 1T does seem
odd he hasn't come in before this"
Then, true to his determination to so
arrange matters that, If discovery en-
sues upon his scheme, he may still find
for himself path out of his difficulties,
he says quietly, I met him about a
mile from home, and walked here with
him. We parted at the hall-door; I dare
say he is in the library or the stables"
"Good gracious. why didn't YOU say
so before" exelaims old Lady FitzAl-
mont in a querulous tone" Il quite be-
gan to believe the poor boy had blown
out his brains through disappointed
love, OF something equally objection
able"
Both Dora and Florence color warm
ly at this. The old lady herself is free
to speak as she thinks of Sir Adrian,
having no designs upon him for Lady
Gertrude, that young lady being en-
gagged to a very distinguished and tit
led botanist, now hunting for ferns IN
the West Indies.
Markham" says Mrs. Talbot to a
footman who enters at this moment,
ago to the library and tell Sir Adrian
his tea is waiting for him."
eyes, ma'am."
Bnt ,prese tlv Markham returns and
Sir Adrian not III the norary.
Then try the stables, try every
where" says Dora somewhat impa-
tiently.
Ao1h 1hut'lN. LdN llS SiISu ONSI y NISA -
brings back the same answer: Sir Ad-
rian is apparently not to be found.
Most extraordinary remarks Lady
FitzAlmont. tanning herself. AS a
rule have noticed that Adrian is most
punctual. I DO hope ny first impress
sion was not the right one. and that we
shan't ind im presently with his
throat cut and wallowing III his blood
on account OF some silly young wo-
mani"
Dear mamma" interposes Lady
Gertrude. laughing. what a terrible
old-fashioned sUumise. No man nova
days kills himself for false love; he
only goes and gets another
But, when the dinner-hour arrives,
and no host presents himself to lead
Lady FitZAlmont into dinner, a great
fear falls upon the guests save one, and
confusion and d:Smay, and anxious
conjecture reign supreme.