The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-02-07
Dr. Bli6lsteil' mission
4 Remarkable Romance.
BY EMILY THORNTON.
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
ETHEL MAKES A STRANGE BLUNDER-
Ethel did not entirely recover from the
effects of ber fright until after the
nights sleep had served to calm hel
nerves, and all the evening that followed
she was excited and scarcely able to con.
troll herself.
When she bade the family goodnight
and locked herself into her room, in or.
der to proceed to her nightly task, it was
with dazed feeling and an aching head.
Nerving herself for her duty, however,
as well as she could, she proceeded to
light her candle, and, taking the indis.
pensable knife, she passed through the
wardrobe and passageway into the corri-
dor beyond.
Possessing herself of the basket Of
food, she remembered to fasten the door
with the iron hook, precaution that the
baronet had charged her always 10 OBJ.
serve, that by no possibility could she be
surprised while accomplishing her task,
then, passing onward, she opened the
panel as usual, and placed the plate of
food upon the shelves.
As she did so, she heard distinctly a
movement on the other side, which, be-
ing rather unusual, for silence alone or
dinarily reigned, startled her already
excited nerves so much that she
gave the shelves the required shove, and,
Just as they whirled away, she saw, to
her horror, when 1t was too late to stop
them, that she had dropped the knife
from her hand. and it had gone around
With the food. ..
Breathlessly she waited for the return
Hovement, hoping that the creature
within would not observe it, and that it
would come back with the plate.
~ As she waited, a singular, loud, shrill
noise or cry came from within.
The next moment the shelves had re-
'volved, and the plate alone appeared.
Appalled, with her own carelessness,
and fancying she knew not what as the
result, the terrified, hall frantic girl
could only draw shut the panels with all
the expedition possible, and then hastily
return the basket, fasten ths door, and
seek the safety of her own apartment.
oh, how she blamed herself for that
careless, blundering act, and the more
she blamed. the more she could not fore
see the result Of her first false move.
What was now her duty?
Should she Immediately seek the baro-
net, who was probably asleep by this
time, and, telling him the mishap, ask
what was to be done?
No! she could not think this course a
wise one.
The baronet was an exceedingly pas
aionate man. Such q tale, at this hour,
would throw him into whirl Of nervous
anger, that might cause damage to the
broken hip, the bones Of which, all
hoped, had by this time commenced to
unite.
She saw, then, at once, that this
course would not answer.
But would it be well to tell him on the
norrow?
What could he do if acquainted with
the nature of her disaster?
He could not move from his bed. He
could not, or would not crave assistance
OF any person he knew. 1t would only
distress him, and prove Of no avail in the
end.
Perhaps, after all, the ape, or what
ever the creature was, would DO no
harm With the knife. He probably
would handle it a little, then drop it,
and where it fell, it would lie, unremem-.
bered and useless. !
Certainly this must be the result.
She felt she must consider it so, and
trust that Providence would direct it all
ensthis way, aDd SO allow no harm to
IN ne.
No sleep visited her weary eyes, until
long after midnight, she was so unhappy
and so unnerved by all the events of the
last twenty-four hours, and again and
again she prayed that all might go well,
and nothing terrible result from the loss
of that dreadful knife.
Rising with the alarm Of the usual bell
that rang 10 awaken the household, the
poor girl again commenced to review the
problem that had presented itself to be
worked. out the night before. Once more
she asked the question:
Should she worry Sir Reginald by tell
ing him Of the accident that had befallen
her, or should she not?
Before deciding positively, she resolved
to pay the corridor morning visit, and
by listening, study out il all was going
On as usual.
This resolve she instantly carried into
effect.
Z Turning once more from her room,
down the corridor, she placed her ear
close to the panel, and listened intently
TO hear if any movement could be dis
covered within the concealed room.
All was still. Not the faintest motion
was perceptible; therefore, feeling great
}y relieved, she returned, quite sure that
sll must be we'll, and firmly resolved to
say nothing Of what had happened, and
while keeping silent endeavor to drive
the entire circumstance from her own
mind, and 80 he at peace.
The day passed on as usual, and when
night brought her TO the shelves she
once more found to her satisfaction ST.
Ience reigning, and felt that now, in
deed, nll was right.
Poor Ethel! She little knew the fear
ful consequences yet TO ensue from her
first blunder.
The third afternoon had arrived, and
nothing had transpired to lead her to
apprehend the least trouble from that
unfortunate occurrence.
She had, therefore, regained the cour-
age she had lost, and was fast driving
the entire circumstance from her mind.
This afternoon Sir Reginald had ex-
pressed wish for music, therefore she
had brought her guitar to his bedside,
and had sung several ballads for his
amusement.
II think" at length he said, interrupt
ing her. -thst it grows cloudy. Please