Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-01-06

perhaps they were only waiting ior
me to be out of the way.
/ was standing before my great
grandmother's portrait, when re-
membered the keys in my pocket
could try that wedding dress on
then and no one the wiser l would
not hurt it; there was no reason why
any one should mind.
Noiselessly, crept upstairs to the
big front room, that also was flooded
with moonlight had forgotten the
blinds with the keys.
Closing the door softly behind me,
| crossed the floor on tiptoe and un-
locked 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 mist around
me.
1t was really wonderful how it fit
ted 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 at myself. Oh, what
pity no one could see Even l could
only get half glimpse at the glories
of my costume.
If l only dared to go down stairs,
the long mirror between the windows
in the parlor would be what / want
ed
No sooner said than done. A spirit
of adventure was alive in my heart,
and with my train over my arm /
passed quietly down. There was no
one to hear. Aunt Augusta slept
soundly, and the only servant was in
her room at the back of the house.
Tranquil and serene, stood and con-
templatod my charms then, with a
little sigh of mingled satisfaction and
regret, l prepared to return whence l
came, since not even the pictures
would come down and bear me COM
pany.
With the thought of the pictures
still in my head l stepped out into the
hall, and stopped-for there was a
man going softly up stairs. The light
was dim, and he was wrapped in a
dark cloak, but l saw he was carrying
his boots under his arm, and in an
instant l remembered the cavalier.
l was not SO much frightened as
you would have supposed. 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 happen.
The rustic of my train, as | let it
fall, attracted the cavaliers attention.
He turned and saw me there in the
narrow strip of moonlight that fell
through the hall window, and in an
instant he was coming down again
toward me.
| retired before him farther and
farther till was again in the moon.
lighted parlor. But still he came on
/ could see him quite plainly then
such handsome young man, though
wild and daring 1t seemed as had
always known his face must be like
that--only his auburn love-locks were
gone.
II was told this house was haunt.
ed" he SAID, under his breath, looking
, at me with his dark eyes.
J ! have vague impression in my
mind that it would be good thing il
/ were safely back again in my own
room with the door locked but since
l was down stairs l might as well
make the best of il. Perhaps it was
only a dream, after all, so ] looked
at the cavalier steadily.
care you alone ?" l asked. Where
are the others ?" l spoke softly be-
cause / did not wish to wake Aunt
J Augusta.
He did not answer, but came steT
nearer, amazement in his face.
81 suppose the jailer is still asleep,
l said, casually. The cavalier gave
a tremendous start and looked over hi.
shoulder. "If you were trying to
escape" said, there was no use in
going up stairs
The cavalier came nearer still and
caught me by my wrist, but he die
y not look any less puzzled.
"Flesh and blood" | heard him
mutter, and certainly there was moth
ing unsubstantial about his grasp
e But suddenly his brow grew dark
"What do you mean ?" he whispered
fiercely. us this trap to catch
me ?"
!. NO." | answered. / began to gel
frightened, and spoke hurriedly. "Es
cape if you want to quick before hi
wakes up"
"Where is he, up stairs2" frowning
still, but could tell by the way ht
!. looked toward the window that HI
r meant to go.