The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-10
CHAPTER XII

| w.
put up the horses, as they will be needed
90 more to-day.
| CHAPTER XII
| ETHEL AND HER NEW DUTIES.
In about an hour servant maid en-
tered, to say that the room was in readi-
ness, and she would lead Miss Nevergail
to it, if she wished.
Taking up her bonnet and wraps, the
young girl passed through the front hall
Into the room adjoining, which she found
exceedingly beautiful. 1t had evidently
always been exclusively guest chamber,
and so richly was it furnished that she
guessed at once why Lady Constance had
objected to its daily use.
AS soon as the maid had withdrawn,
Ethel commenced an examination OF the
implements Sir Reginald had mentioned.
The bookcase he had spoken OF she
knew had been carried thither from the
library for her use since her arrival.
The drawer to which he had given her
key of peculiar shape was secret one,
found, as he had whispered, behind the
books, and remembering his directions,
she proceeded to open it, after carefully
locking her door.
There lay the three singularly shaped,
large knives, with long, sharp-pointed
| blades; there, also, was china candle
stick with three or four dozen wax can
dies. Matches were in large tin box,
ready for constant and instant use.
Refastening the drawer and replacing
the books, the young girl proceeded to
the wardrobe on the opposite side of the
room, and unlocking it, she saw at the
back a door, bolted on her side, which
gave her an immediate feeling of Sc
curity.
Softly drawing the bolt, she looked
out into small passage that led merely
from her own room to similar door in
side a wardrobe she had seen in the bar
onet's.
These two rooms communicated with
this little passageway from the inhabited
part of the house, and these alone. Di-
rectly opposite her door was a smaller
one, which she at once knew must lead
to the Haunted Tower and deserted
rooms belonging to this singular old
mansion.
She did not open this, but retreating
to her own apartment through the ward
robe, bathed her face and hands, smooth
ed her hair, and once more turned toward
the room Of the invalid.
At the threshold, however, she met old
Mrs. Freedom, the nurse, who had been
in the family for years, who whispered
that the baronet had fallen asleep, there
fore, che might walk around the grounds
II she chose.
Feeling that the fresh air would revive
ner poor shrinking spirit, Ethel tripped
down the broad staircase and stepped
upon the piazza.
AS she did so, she almost ran against q
gentleman just entering.
Raising her eyes to apologize, she
found herself face to face with DR..
Elfenstein, the kind friend that she had
parted with few weeks before.
He was as much astounded as herself,
It seemed, at her unexpected appearance.
ais it possible that this can be Miss
Nevergail?"
at is, indeed; but can scarcely be-
lieve this my friend, DR.. Elfenstein.
| How is it we meet in this unexpected
place and manner?"
81 was about calling on my patient,
Sir Reginald Glendenning, when, instead
of being received by a servant, Miss
Nevergail comes flying toward me. How
| Is it you are here? / see by your black
dress that your aunt must have passed
away But come out upon the piazza,
as you were about to do, and tell me Of
yourself"
Passing from the door to the shadow OF
the trained vines, followed by the ply
sician, the young girl related the occur
rences of the last few weeks.
"Did I understand that you were to
remain here some time?"
ayes. l am to be Sir Reginald'S sec
retary, amanuensis, and reader. For
this, and helping to amuse him, am to
receive a good salary, ana will have q
home for the summer"
II am very glad to hear it," exclaimed
Earle, kindly, at seems like pleasant
spot, and / think this pure, fresh air
will benefit your health and spirits. l
also have settled here, having bought o
practice"
"shall we so to Sir Reginald now?"
returned she, at the end of their ami
mated conversation. 81 presume he is
awake by this time"
ayes, at once, and 1 hope I shall find
him more easy than he was this MORN
ing"
"Sleep indicates some degree Of ease.
Do you think he will be helpless long?"
u am sorry to say it will be months
before he can leave his bed. Even then,
l fear he will be cripple for years"
Poor man! This has been sad acci-
dent for him." replied Ethel, in tones
full of sympathy.
DR.. Elfenstein made quite long call,
as he had much to do to make the
baronet comfortable for the night, and
as Ethel saw him handle the injured man
so gently, and soothe him with kind, en-
couraging words, she felt that he must
possess heart of almost womanly feel
ing, and her interest and admiration
deepened, even before his visit was con-
cluded.
After Earle Elfenstein withdrew late
dinner vas announced, and IN the din