Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-07-19


color, / seemed to be looking into q
room, paneled with oak, from floor tc
ceiling. Before one panel stood the
girl. Her hand moved uncertainty
over it, and then chose the next one.
1t opened, as if by magic, disclosing q
space about foot square. Into this
she dropped the dagger.
For the third time the colors mingled,
and again / was looking at the motion
less figure on the divan. His face
seemed like alabaster in contrast with
his dark hair. One hand, delicate as a
woman's, hung at his side. Suddenly
it flashed across me that the face before
me was Identical with the miniature
on the bracelet. Yes, every feature was
the same. The high rolling collar and
stock which he wore completed the re-
semblance. Had it been in my power
to sink back on my pillow, certainly
should have done so at this discovery,
but as movement of any kind on my
part was impossible, could only gasp.
Near the divan stood the girl. Her
arms hung motionless at her sides.
She was almost as pale as he, save her
lips, which were scarlet. Her beauty
repealed and yet fascinated me. Never
had beheld such a face. She shivered
slightly, and slowly, very slowly, sank
down at his side. Her hair became
unfastened and fell over her like veil.
For one instant, closed my eyes. The
horror of it was OverpOwering. When
L opened them, she lay as if lifeless,
and her hair, no longer black, cleaned
in the moonlight like driven snow.
A moment later, there was only the
tapestry stirring in the wind.
Then | lost consciousness, and when
1 came to my senses, the sun was high
in the heavens. Before descending the
stairs, took the bracelet from the case,
for a close examination. There was no
room for mistake; the face and that
which I had seen in the night were one
and the same.
To come down from that chamber to
the cosy breakfast-room seemed like
stepping from one world into another.
1t may have been Imagination, but
fancied that all regarded me rather Gu
riously.
Lady Harcourt was the first to break
the silence. "You rested well, | trust?'
she said quietly, but, as l thought, with
yelled interest.
/ answered briefly in the affirmative.
"And had pleasant dreams, Hal?" in
quired Stanley.
81 don't think l dreamed at ALL" /
replied, and the subject was dropped.
Immediately after breakfast, L found
an opportunity to remind my host of
his promise in regard to the room. 1t
is needless to say that was now doub-
ly anxious to know its history.
An hour later, we were seated alone
in the small library, acknowledged by
all to be Stanly's special property.
ut is a long story" he said, "and 1
hardly know where to begin, but per-
haps it would be as well to get to the
point at once. First, let me say that it
is only my great friendship for you,
Halstone, that leads me to speak of
this. 1t is something we seldom men
ton.
"My uncle, Lord Stanly, for whom I
am named, was my fathers eldest
brother. He married Miss Hartwell,
Beatrice Hartwell, the only child of old
Harold Hartwell. She was beautiful,
beautiful, but absolutely
without heart. At least, SO / am told;
of course l know nothing of her, for
this was over 80 years ago. But her
beauty is almost a tradition. There is
a miniature of her, which / will show
you later and you can judge for your
self.
"Before her marriage with Lord Stan
ley, she had been engaged to Cecil
Richie, her cousin. You know of the
Richies?"
nodded.
''It was broken off, and she married
my uncle. He was a better match, of
course; but now when think of it all,
1 believe she has always cared for
Richie.
"Well, my uncle had the west rooms
fitted up, and she came here bride.
will show you the second one later. 1t
is panelled entirely in oak-rather in
teresting in it's way"
The book was toying with fell to the
floor.
at was only short time after the
wedding that a very strange thing hap
pened."
He stopped short and glanced quick
ly around the room.
edith knows nothing of this,n he
said. Then, dropping his voice, he con-
tinued:
1T was in September, the eleventh,
I think"
"Last night I said softly.
Stanly did not hear me.
GA large party was given, and half
the county was here; among others,
Cecil Richie. remember my old nurse
telling me how beautiful Lady Beatrice
looked in her white gown and jewels.
She had magnificent jewels, by the
way. That evening at dinner, a strange
thing happened, and my old nurse
used to say it was an omen of what fol-
lowed.
Beatrice wore pair of bracelets
Stanly's bridal gift. They were of
twisted gold, each with miniature
surrounded by diamonds. One repre-
sented Lord Stanly; the other, her lady
ship. 1t was quaint fancy, carried
out by famous French artist"
l sank back in my chair.
"Why, good heavens, Hal, how pale
you are. Why, what is the matter,
MANI"
"Nothing,' I answered. "Go on!
Your tale interests me strangely"
"After dinner, as the ladies were
leaving the dining-room, Lady Beatrice
drew back the portieres for them to
pass out. AS she did 50, one of the
bracelets caught in the meshes of the
curtain, and although of excellent
xynrlyrn N ahin or annaraptlU sn Whan