The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-07-15

the ntness OF just such a night ana
place for deed Of blood, and he shud-
dered as they traversed the gloomy
park, as many a tale of murdered trav-
elers that he had heard in boyhood came
forward in his mind.
To the best of men sudden death has
an appalling aspect, but under such cir
cumstances as these, apart from all that
he loved, alone and unpitied, it seemed
tenfold terrible. Then again he would
think on the unexpected hospitality of
Mr.. D.. and smile at the horrors
which busy fancy had conjured up.
AS they drew near the castle, its des-
olate appearance was not much calcu-
lated to reassure him, or calm his droop-
ing spirits. Mr.. D. carried a lantern,
the faint glimmering of which only
served to make darkness visible, as it
fell on the grass grown walks and old
gray stones that paved the courtyard.
The noise Of their steps and voices dis
turbed a crazy congregation of owls,
bats and rocks, the time honored inhab-
itants of the turrets, which, startled and
affrighted, flew about, Tapping their
wings and uttering dismal cries at the
unwonted invasion of their premises.
A chill ran through Mr.. E.. How
he wished for even the neighborhood of
his horse, Or anything that had life; the
company of dog would have been in
valuable; fain would he have stretched
himself in the stable, but, dreading to
awaken the sarcasm of his grim host,
he said nothing. They reached the
grand entrance. On opening, the door
grated harshly and complainingly on its
rusty hinges and rush Of night winds
moaned bodingly as they entered.
shadows seemed to gather and troop
around them, with fantastic gestures
reckoning them onward; Thousand
spirit eyes peered inquisitively out of
the arches and frets in the ceilings;
snatches of faint song echoed through
the corridors; glimpses he had of half
formed faces fitting about in corners,
and whispers and. signs foated on the
air. Mr.. E. again smiled at his own
imaginings, and making a strong mental
effort fairly shook off all further nom
sensical apprehensions. They thorough
" examined the room destined for him
and the adjacent ones, and afterward
looked through those below, one Of
which was hall of magnificent dimen-
sions superbly carved and gilded in the
old style.
His companion reiterated his assur-
ances that no living being save himself
would be in the castle, and, with an in
vitation to breakfast at his house in the
morning, babe him good night. Mr..
E. attended him to the door, double
locked and chained it after him, and
then assembled to his own apartment,
which he also carefully locked and Sc
cured. He certainly was situated very
pleasantly.
The rain now came down in torrents,
but the tremendous peals Of thunder
above him and the vivid flashes of
lightning which occasionally pierced
their way through the heavy damask
curtains only so much the more en-
HANGED the value of his comfortable re-
treat and made his feelings those of un-
mingled satisfaction. A bright fire
blazed on the old fashioned hearth, and
two wax candles stood lighted on an ele-
CANT inlaid table beside it.
The room was richly furnished in an
antique style, and the luxurious couch,
to one tired as he was, looked extremely
inviting to repose. But the inclination
to sleep had quite left him, and strange
wakefulness had superseded all his for
mer almost overpowering WEAKNESS.
Several noble paintings by the great
masters, Guido and Da Vinci, adorned
the walls, one of which was beautiful
picture of the Virgin and Child" rep
resenting him while yet the radiant
brow was unpierced by thorns, and ere
jected to the blow Of the smiter, or the
prayer of prayers had been gasped by
those cherub lips. Upon these he unused
for an hour or so, and then, according
to his usual custom, opened his pocket
Bible and read and meditated until his
excitement passed away, and sacred
calm gradually settled upon him.
Suddenly his attention was aroused by
singular commotioh in the room be-
low. Heavy tables were dragged about,
dishes and glasses ratified, chairs vio-
lently pushed hither and thither, doors
slammed and in short he heard every
noise attendant upon the laying out of
an extensive table. This unaccountable
uproar continued unabated for about
half an hour, when all at once the place
became as hushed as the grave. Soon
after slow, heavy step began to ascend
the stairs. Could his host have deceived
him? The ominous step continued to
ascend; nearer it drew and still nearer,
until it stopped at his door.
Three sullen knocks.
Mr.. E. paused a moment, and then
asked, "Whos therey'
A hollow voice replied, "The master
wants you down to supper"
"Excuse me, if you please; I cannot
go down."
The dull, heavy step descended the
stairs and entered the hall below. Mr..
E. began to conjecture that band