The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-02-14
Dr.Blf6lStein'SMlSslOl
A Remarkable Romance.
BY EMILY THORNTON.
CHAPTER xvu1-Continusd.

Then a violently storm was raging.
The storm was, strange to say, the
first that had occurred in the evening
since his night view OF the haunted tow
or, and its dancing demon, just i've
weeks before.
Not wishing to be seen by any Of the
inmates, he did not venture out until
after nine o'clock. Then the wild wind
and drenching rain served to retard his
progress so much that it was full quar-
ter to ten before he felt the worn path
way, and crept behind the clump OF
thick, wet bushes, where, once concealed
from view, he paused to light small
dark lantern he had wisely brought with
him.
BY the aid Of this he proceeded to
examine what seemed only dull, blank
wall.
= Close inspection, however, revealed q
:, large stone that was loose, which he
easily drew forth, making a clean. un-
obstructed passageway, through which
man could creep, and without hesita-
ton, in he went, landing directly upon an
old but still passable floor.
Lowering his light, he paused to exam
Inc this floor, and found, to his surprise,
wet tracks upon it, that told plainly that
Very recent footsteps had passed that
;. way. @--
1 Following these, the young man walked
In direct line across the building, until
he reached door, which, upon trying,
he found, to his chagrin, securely fast
E Even while he paused TO reject upon
9 his next movement distant footsteps 1ell
upon his ear, just beyond the door, and
hurriedly he darted back, extinguishing
3 his light as he did so.
IS, inst in time was this movement made,
for q hand unlocked the fastening,
opened the door, and there, to his un-
mitigated surprise, stood Ethel Never
rail, the girl so much the object OF his
thoughts since that narrow escape Of
hers day or two before, with a lighted
candle in her hand, peering into the
darkness beyond.
;, Had she seen him? be asked himself;
creeping like a thief toward this unfor-
tunate house, and, hearing his steps, had
abe come to warn him away?
No; the thought was absurd. and he
soon saw that she came seeking merely
q covered basket, not observed until
then, standing just beyond the door.
How pale she looked, as he viewed for
one moment her sad face, and-yes,
surely those were tears that fell from
I her beautiful hazel eyes upon her cheek!
The sight of those tears caused him to
take one step toward her, but she for
tunately did not see him, but drew to the
door, after securing the basket. and he
then heard her little feet start down the
corridor. 49,.
Resolved not tobe baked in his efforts
70 unravel, this night, one mystery al
least, DR.. Elfenstein pushed again to
ward the door, and to his JOY it this time
yielded to his touch.
" Poor Ethel! this night for the frs1
time had been required by Sir Reginald
Glendepning, to visit the tower. and fol
low out directions he gave her in full, fol
producing the illusions that were to terri
fy the unsuspecting public.
In great agitation then, and still weep
ing, she had proceeded to the fulfllment
=. of her loathsome duty, and in her grie!
and excitement, for the first time forgo'
to fasten the door, after possessing her
self of the food.
This forgetfulness accounts for thu
entrance Of the Doctor into the corri
dor, and enabled him TO follow her ad
yancing figure, softly in the distance.