The Dickinson press., 1894-05-26

| IN IL W. "stS ltllllSl III
result Of terror than Of :!stonishmcnt.
Don't tell anybody that l walk in
my Sleep" Cicely said %ncryously as
they rose from their chairs. II should
be so laughed at, YOU know. ! shall
be all right when Duk" comes hone.
and they tell me they hope to DC able
to let him be moved in ten days or Il
fortnight. if I'LL goes on we'll"
Minna had heard all this the day
before. but she asscnted without com
ment. and the two ladies Went their
separate ways, each under some To-
strnint. In the afternoon Ciccly drove
off alone to the hospital. and Minna,
whom the mystery she felt but did rot
understand was working up into a high
ly nervous state. VAS left to her own
reflections.
The young girl felt intensely relieved
when the front dOor bell rang. Any
visitor. no matter how much of Il bore
he or she might he considered at anOth-
er time. would be welcome to break
The painful monOtony OF the thoughts
which oppressed her. lie was with an
exclamation of surprise. not mingled
with dismay. hOwev,r II. that she saw
the door open to admit her uncle. Mr..
William Bennington and Aigy Hurst.
The meeting with the former proved
much less embarrassing than Minna
had expected. Mr.. Bennington seemed
relieved rather than disappointed to
hear that Cicely was out; and as Minna
was not above the of fiattcr-
ing him, they got on extremely we'll
together.
Il am quite glad to have this oppor-
tunity of consulting you about Cicely."
said the young girl with polite defer
encc. but with some nervousness. She
had resolved upon the bold step of talk
ing her uncle fully into her confidence.
And forthwith she gav him Il desclip-
ton of her experience of the last two
nights; her following Cicely downstairs,
r the strange noises she had heard in the
cellar, and lastly her meeting with
Cicely, when the latter appeared to
be in Il S9mnambulistic condition. She
had argutd with herself rapidly before
. giving this account. that it could do no
. harm. since her uncle. as Il member
of the family, would certainly he silent
concerning anything discralitablc to it;
Q Cicely's distress Of mind would in any
q case soften him toward her.
But her narration had Il much strong
a er effect upon him than she had expect
ed. Mr.. bennington was shrewd enough
to couple it instantly with the fact of
. Joseph Radstock's disappearance. and
it was with difficulty that he Subduel
his intense curiosity and excitement
sufficiently to listen quietly to the end
Of Minna's recital.
= Algy Hurst Also heard the story with
much interest, though for 4 far less
b serious reason.
"Why, Miss Bennington" he cried
when she had ended. II believe l cal
s.~ tS,> - %1,rt ~
you remember Dukes taking lis down
, a few evenings ago. when the vanish
ing clerk was dining here"-Mr. Der
rington grew suddenly attentive
down into the cellar and showing lis
little underground room where some
choice wine had lain bricked up and
undiscovered for years!'
Minna was noticing With surprised
attention the expression of her uncle's
face. Suddenly lie arose to his feet
unable any longer to control his excite
: 1nent.
II think" he said. in solemn tones
= "that the best thing we can do is to- eX'
plole the cellar during her absence
= and see''-he paused. for his W ice was
trembling Il little in his excitement
'and.sec whether there is any ptSSibil'
- Iy VI y IhllliIhf i'N VA A>S
sleep walking expeditions. Fetch mt
= the cellar key, my dca:.' said he t.
Minna.
And the girl did not dare even to en-
terrain the thought Of ~disobayins him
or of feigning not to know where II
was. So she stole mp the stairs guilt
lily, but returned in Il very few mo
ments. announcing with pale lips. tha1
If WAS nOt in IFS usual place.
"She must have hid it," said Mr.
Bennington. shortly.
\ They all felt that the matter WA.
= growing more serious.
The elder man led the way tOwarl
=, the cellar stairs. having evidently learn
= ed from Algy which way to turn.
- What are you going to do" Mimi;
N. venturcd to ask in a faltering voice.
Pick or force the lock-" answers
her uncle, shortly.
She did not dare to demonstrate, el
cept by a long drawn breath of amaz,
ment at this h%igh-handed proccedin,
1t was the nos intense relief tina
when the two gentlemen We're alread
halfway down the stone steps, sl
heard the carriage wheels outside, fo
lowed Immediately by Il ring 81
rushed back through tho hall and III,
. Cicely as the latter entered.
No., y "Oh! cried the girl. in a voice fl
resr Of contrition, I'm SC glad you,
conner Dragging hep sis -er-in-la
along in the direction of tho cell
md staircase. out of ealslot Of til, servant
N. she whispered rapidly: Our uncle
here-Mr. William Bennington. He
".. going down-to the cellar!"
In a moment Cicely's face grew gra
It, She tottered and swayed as II all h
strength was suddenly gone. But
'Minna put out her arms to support he