Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-02-20
THE CEDAR CU NBEP

1t would b" almost in,,c~ .ible to di-.
cover a:iv on" more drNu.j uf slp"r>ti.
.u; rhHm myself When wds l; years
80 = event happened which caused me
tn h,,ir,r mine a haunted life. wSs
,':,,ny in Paris at the house of my
Guardian. Mr.. Charles. and dressing fer
Ity first ball at tho English embassy. Ny
U.s. had been fastened, and | stood be-
fore The glass while my mail arranged
In" flowers in my hair. A bouquet lay
i". Z" my gloves and fan on the table.
"Ah. now mademoiselle is beautful!'
Justin" exclaimed in French.
stepped back to survey her work.
biusn"d with pleasure.
"i wonder who sent me these nowers?"
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 knock at
the door. \ telegram was handed to me.
Mrs Northcote is dangerously ill., and
wishes to see her stcpdaughter.
Bring me a railway guide-quick!" 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 just succeeded. I found by the
railway guide that if changed my dress
with speed l could catch the last train
that night from Paris. By noon next
day l should reach Dashire, in which
Cr 'wsnest is situated.
Justine, 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 n
the glass. then took up the timetable
again. At 8 o'clock next morning there
was another train. Meditatively raised
the bouquet to my face. Who was it said
"The woman who hesitates is LOST" The
sweet perfume of the flowers permeated
my senses. Who hai sent them? | would
go to the ball and solve the mystery.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles We're waiting
when | went down. We entered the
coupe and drove at once to the embassy.
The ball was brilliant one, and | was
quite intoxicated with the adulation l
received THE new debutante :" was
on everybody's lips. The night was
half over before | even remembered
that | had not discovered the sender of
my beautiful bouquet.
"Of what We're you thinking so pro-
foundly, Miss Northcote?" asked gen.
tleman, in way that made me start.
The sp aker was Mr.. Weston He had
been introduced to me few days before
ut my guardians house.
Il was thinking of the sender of these
flowers and wondering who he is.
Il hope you We're thinking kindly of
the donor
Indeed was. "
"Thank you Will you always SO
think Of him-of me?"
My surprise took away my breath
His manner embarrassed me. 1t inferred
much more than words. danced with
him more than with anyone else. finding
TRANCE attraction in his presence.
On returning from the ball told my
host and hostess of the telegram, and OF
my determination to start for England.
Mrs. Charles looked grave.
"Iou might have saved few hours,
dear" she said.
Il should have missed the most de,
iightful experience Of my life" 1 an.
swered fervently.
at was case of life and death.
| answered nothing, for felt her words
were reproof.
My trunks were soon packed by Jus,
tine, who was to accompany me. My
guardian also insisted on going with me,
and late the next night we were driven
through the dark country roads to Crows.
nest. A stately housekeeper met lis.
Miss Northcote, you come too late"
she said severely. My dear mistress
died three hours ago II you had lef,
Paris last night you would have been il
time She had a communication foryou
"What was it?" asked
THAT no one will ever know"
was much distressed; and l felt as
My guardian remained till after the
funeral. Then, in vain, he urged me to
return to Paris, but remained.
With the exception of one bedroom.
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 We're two
windows, that nearest the bed a bay with
diamond panes, the hangings similar to
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 a
STANCE anomaly amid antique surround.
ings. 1t was in this chamber my step.
mother died, but not being superstition:
decided to occupy it myself.
No sooner had my guardian left Crows
nest than told Mrs. Stevens TO have tbs
cedar chamber prepared for me. She
looked troubled. and urged various rea
sons against my occupying ii. At ias
she said:
1T was Mrs. Nrrthcute 5 wish that thai
room should not be used. Shr died IN 1t.
And do you suppose am So foolish
us to be afraid to sleep there,
1T is not my PROVINCE to eiIPpp-" any
thing, Miss N"rrh"ote II you had ae"'
my mistress h"fore sh. died she would
have told yon. As it is"
AS il is. Mrs. Stevens. am now mis-