Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-01-25

from the walls, and thought of Hans
Anderson's stories, and 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.
I was standing before my great
grandmother's portrait, when I re-
membered the keys in my pocket
| could try that wedding dress on
then and no one be the wiser? [ would
not hurt it; there was no reason why
any one should mind.
Noiselessly, I crept up stairs to the
big front room, that also was flooded
with moonlight had forgotten the
blinds with the keys.
Closing the door softly behind me,
I crossed the floor on tiptoe and un
locked the great wardrobe's doors,
holding my breath at my own daring,
but in a few minutes there I stood,
in the shining satin, with the beauti
full old lace veil falling like 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 wa
ter.
I walked into the moonlight and
looked down at myself. Oh what
pity no one could seel Even I could
only get half a glimpse at the glories
Of my costume.
II [ only dared go down stairs, the
long mirror between the windows in
the parlor would be what [ wanted!
No sooner said than done. A spirit
Of adventure was alive in my heart,
and with my train over my arm pass
ed 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
gull and serene, l stood and contem-
plated my charms; then, with little
sigh of mingled satisfaction and re-
greet, [ prepared to return whence [
came, since not even the pictures
would come down and bear me COM
pany.
With the thought Of the pictures
still in my head 1 stepped out into the
hall, and stopped-for there was
man going softly up stairs. The light
was dim, and he was wrapped in a
dark cloak, but I saw he was carrying
his boots under his arm, and in an in
slant [ remembered the cavalier.
[ was not as much frightened as you
would have supposed. 1 never once
thought of the burglar Mrs. Woodfern
had been talking about. 1t seemed
only natural and a matter of course,
that something unusual should hap
pen.
The rustic Of my train as [ let it fall,
attracted the cavaliers attention. He
turned and saw me there in narrow
strip of moonlight that fell through
the hall window, and in an instant he
was coming down again toward me.
I retired before him farther and
moon-lighted parlor. But still he
came on; l could see him quite plain
ly then-such handsome young man,
though wild and daring! 1t seemed as
if [ had always known his face must
be like that-only his auburn love-
locks were gone.
tI was told this house was haunt
ed,'' he said, under his breath, look
ing at me with his dark eyes.
I had a vague impression in my
mind that it would be good thing if
were safely back again in my own
room with the door locked; but since
was down stairs I might as we'll
make the best Of it. Perhaps it was
only dream after all, SO I looked at
the cavalier steadily.
care you alone?' I asked sWhere
are the others?" I spoke softly be-
cause I did not wish to wake Aunt
Augusta.
He did not answer, but came step
nearer, amazement in his face.
1T suppose the jailer is still asleep"
I said, casually. The cavalier gave a
tremendous start and looked over his
shoulder. eff you were trying to es-
cape," I said, 'there was no use go
ing -stairs.''
The cavalier came nearer still and
caught me by my wrist, but he did
not look any less puzzled.
stFlesh and blood.'' I heard him ut
ter, and certainly there was nothing
unsubstantial about his grasp But