Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-01-26
ANNAPOLIS Md TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 90, 1892.
IN TIE CEDAR CHAMBER

guardian. Mr. Charles, and dressing for
my FIRST ball at the English embassy. Ny
| dress had been fastened, and | stood be-
fore the glass white my mail arranged
I the flowers in my hair A bouquet lay
best Il nay gloves and fan on the table.
~Ah. now mademoselle is beautifully"
justine exclaimed in French.
stepped back 10 survey her work.
biushed with pleasure.
:" wonder who sent me these toWers:"
/ said, taking up the bouquet.
Mademoiselle will doubtless discover
her admirer among her partners to.
night, was the girls reply.
At this moment there was a knock at
the door. A telegram was handed to me.
Mrs. Northcote is dangerously ill., aud
wishes to see her stepdaughter.
Bring me railway guide-quickl I
said to Justine.
Mrs. Northcote was my stepmother,
but we had never met. My father had
married in India, taking half caste for
his second wife. and when he died he left
to his widow, for her life, the old family
estate of Crowsnest, to which he had
only jus. succeeded. I found by the
railway guide that if Ichanged my dress
with speed could catch the last train
that night from Paris BY noon next
day / should reach Dashire, in which
Crowsnest is situated.
Justine, l cried excitedly, "bring my
travelling dress.
Mon Deu, would you take off that
dress that suits you to such marvel?"
Once more / looked at my reflection in
the glass, then took up the timetable
again. At o'clock next morning there
was another train. Meditatively raised
The bouquet to my face Who was said
The woman who hesitates is lOst?" The
sweet perfume Of the flowers permeated
my senses. Who had sent them2 would
so to the ball and solve the mystery.
Mr. aud Mrs. Charles were waiting
when / went down. We entered the
coupe and drove at once to the embassy
The ball was a brilliant one, and was
quite intoxicated with the adulation I
received. "The new debutante !" was
on everybodys lips. The night was
half over before / even remembered
that had not discovered the sender of
my beautiful bouquet.
"Of what were you thinking so pro.
foundly, Miss Northcote7" asked gen.
tleman, in way that made me start.
The speaker was Mr.. Weston. lie had
been introduced to me a few days before
at my guardians house.
Il was thinking Of the sender OF these
flowers. aud wondering who he Is.
Il hope you were thinking kindly Of
the donor.
Indeed was
thank yoa win you always ~
think Of him--of nleY-
Ny surpris- took away my brrafh
+ His manner emabarrazsed me lt iofeFxal
much more than words daucrsl STA
him more than with anyone sisr. haasaE
+ a ftrange aftracton iu hts pFesenee
T On refurnfne frusn ths daH : to1f nv
hnst and sasfess of tae feieEfars. ans Ell
my aef-rmiHati.su 60 ntaFtfas Eaelauf
tln Charles looked save.
~N1n Hight havs aVsd . Fee hear.
asuT. slsa asl8
-1 sa.uula hars m@e1 fhe
HEi aul sErafHuaa ef aF M as
saese8 ferveaE.N
ia uasa ea-e ..f .f. ara asals
fHmrsm auN anr faf Asf w#M
urfe q rsfracf
NY trsnAs wefa uaun raeke1 ~ Fas
nus. wi1a eas 81 arcampanF me ~
raagaiian alae Iaslssaal em gu8nw wtfh mam.
and Iats tite seat ntzt ws arfs dfteea
thramrh fita cara eouuGrr rus A. sn G'rmsea.
49, A stately horsek-epeF Ezet ~.
&te Aerthcuia. goa comn tas inte.
sbe said severely. -My dear mistress
4i~a three hours aro N yoa bad left
PARIS LAST night yea would have heeu IN
ume. She had a communication foryou.
What was itl- asked.
~That no one will ever know
was much distressed; and / felt as
though Mrs. Stevens was my enemy.
Ny guardian remained till after tho
funeral. Then, in vain, he urged me TO
return to Paris, but remained.
With the exception of one bedroom. q
description of Crowsnet is not necessary
to the development of my tale, but to
describe that is imperative. 1t was long
and large, and the walls were paneled
with cedar wood. On the panels hung
framed tapestry pictures. A time mel
lowed square Of Indian carpet covered
the center of the floor on which stood the
bed, raised on dais. There were two
windows, that nearest the bed bay with
diamond panes. the hangings similar 70
those Of the bed, Of rich brocade with
pink satin Innings. On the side OF the
window nearest the bed was fixed mod
ern gas bracket, which struck me as
STANCE anomaly amid antique surround.
ings. 1t was In this chamber my step.
mother died. but not being superstitious
decided to occupy il myself.
No sooner had my guardian left Crows.
nest than told Mrs. Stevens to have the
cedar chamber prepared for me. She
looked troubled. and urged various Tea
sons against my occupying il. At last
she said:
1T was Mrs. Narthcote's wish that that
room should not be used. She died IN 1t.
-And do you suppose am so foolish
as TO be afraid to sleep iSere9"
-It is not my province % suppose any.
thing, Miss Northcote II you had seen
my mistress before she died she would
have told you. AS it ia"
@As 1t is, Mrs. Stevens, ] am now mis-.
tress here, and have set my heart on that
room. Have it prepared, please
But as she turned away caught q
...-y...Iso.- f~r.1~ -. ba~ Fa~a