Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-05-14

folded the beautiful satin and lace, locked them away again out of sight, and gave me the keys to put back in her desk, while she accompanied her guest downstairs. Twas obediently on my way to her room, when something Mrs Woodfern was saying caught my ear.
 ''Three houses have been entered al- ready, Miss. Wilberforce. Do you think it is safe for you here, with no man to call in for protection? You have so many valuable things to attract a bur glar."
 "I am not nervous" Aunt Augusta answered as they passed out of sight; but felt must hear the account Mrs. Woodfern was giving of the burglars desperate deeds, so dropped the keys in my pocket and hurried down, mean ing to come up at once and take care of them after Mrs. Woodfern was gone.
 There was full moon that night. It streamed into all the windows and lighted up the rooms with its splendor. Aunt Augusta went to bed early with a headache, and wandered about the house by myself, indulging in fancies of the widest nature.
 The portraits looked at me solemnly from the walls, and thought of Hans Anderson's stories, ant- wished they would come down and talk to me. How delightful it would be to see all the stately ladies and gentlemen walk ing about in the moonlight! But per haps they were only waiting for me to be out of the way.
 was standing before my great grandmother's portrait, when I remem- Sx,x Pn& 1T try that wedding-dresS on then and no one be the wiserl would not hurt 1t. There wasno reason why anyone should mind.
 Noiselessly I crept upstairs to the with moonlight had forgotten the blinds with the keys
 Closing the door softly behind me, I crossed the floor on tlptoe and unlocked the great wardrobe's doors, holding my breath at my own daring. but in few minutes there stood, in the shining satin, with the beautiful old lace veil falling like a mist around me.
 It really was wonderful how it all fitted me, even the little satin shoes with the great paste buckles, that shone like diamonds of the purest water.
 walked into the moonlight and looked down A4 myself. Oh, what a pity no one could seel Even I could only get half glimpse at the glories of my costume.
 If only I dared go downstairs the long mirror between the windows in the parlor would be what wantedi
 No sooner said than done. A spirit of adventure was alive in my heart, and with my train over my arm I passed quietly down. There was no one to hear. Aunt Augusta slept sound ly, and the only servant was In her room at the back of the house. Tran quil and serene, stood and contem- plated my charms; then, with a little sigh of mingled satisfaction and regret, , I prepared to return whence I came, since not even the pictures would come down and bear me company.
 With the thought of the pictures still in my head stepped out into the hall and stopped-for there was a man go , ing softly upstairs. The light was dim and he was wrapped in a dark cloak but I say he was carrying his boots under his arm, and in an instant re membered the cavalier.
 was not as much frightened as yor would have supposed I never once thought of the burglar Mrs. WoodferI had been talking about It seemed only natural and a matter of course that something unusual should happen , The rustic of my train as I let i , fall attracted the cavaliers attention He turned and saw me there in 8 mar row strip of moonlight that fell through the hall window, and in an instant h, was coming down again toward me. retired before him farther ant farther till I was back again in th' , moonlighted parlor. But still he cam' 3 on; could see him quite plainly thel 4 such a handsome young man, thougl wild and daringl It seemed as if . had always known his face must b. like that-only his auburn 1ove-loclk were gone.
 ; "I was told this House was haunted, he said, under his breath, looking a
 me with his dark eyes.
 had vague impression in my min'
 that 1t would be good thing if wer safely back again in my own room
 with the door locked; but since wa
 downstairs might as well make tn
 best of 1t Perhaps it was only dream, after all, so looked at the cav alier steadily.
 "Are you aloneq" I asked "Wher are the others?" spoke softly be
 cause did not wish to wake Aun Augusta
 He did not answer, but came e ste
 nearer, amazement in his face.
 "l suppose the jailer Is still asleep,
 said, casually. The cavalier gave
 tremendous start and looked over hi
 shoulder. If you were trying t
 escape" said, "there was no use
 going upstairs"
 The cavalier came nearer still an
 caught me by my wrist. but he did nc E look any less puzzled. .
 "Flesh and blood" heard him mu