The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-25

nected. But second scrutiny showed
some discrepancies of costume ana be
saw it WAS Il paneled portrait on the
wall. 1t was a man of his own age.
his beard. complexion and features
with long curls like his own, falling
over lace Van Dyke collar. which.
however. again simulated the appear
ance of his own hunting shirt The
llroad-brimmed hat in the picture
whose dropping plume was lost in shad-
ow. was scarcely distinguishable from
Dicks sombrero. But the likeness of
the face to Dick was marvellous-con-
vincing! As he gazed at it, the wicked
black eyes seemed to fash and kindle at
his own-its lip curled with Dicks own
sardonic humor!
He was recalled to himself by a step
in the gallery. It was the cure, who
had entered hastily, evidently in search
of one of the servants. Partly because
it was man and not a woman, partly
from feeling of bravado, and partly
from strange sense, excited by the
picture, that he had some claim to be
there, he turned and faced the good
priest with a slight dash of impatient
deviltry that would have done credit to
the portrait. But he was sorry for it
the next moment! The priest, looking
up suddenly. discovered what seemed to
him to be the portrait standing before
its own frame and glazing at him.
Throwing up his hands with an averted
head and an attempted "EXorcis,' he
stopped short, wheeled and scuffied
away. Dick seized the opportunity
darted through the narrow door on to
the rear terrace and ran. under cover of
the shadow of the house, to the steps
into the garden. Luckily for him, this
new and unexpected diversion occupied
the inmates too much with what was
going on in the house to think of what
might happen outside. Dick reached the
lilac hedge, tore up the hill and in a few
moments threw himself painting on his
blanket. In the single look he had cast
behind he had seen that the half dark
salon was now brilliantly lit-where, no
doubt, the whole terrified household was
now assembled. He had no fear of be-
ing followed since his confronta ton
with his own likeness in the mysterious
portrait he understood everything. The
apparently supernatural character of
his visitation was made plain to him;
his ruffled vanity was soothed-his vim
| dication was complete He laughed to
himself and rolled about, until in his
suppressed merriment the rose fell from
| his bosom, and-he stopped. It's fresh
ness and fragrance recalled the innocent
young girl he had frightened. He re-
membered her gentle. pleading voice.
and his cheek flushed! we'll! he had done
[ tho bn in, hpi,, l..
| to the hOuse-at the risk of being taken
for burglar-and she was safe now! If
that stupid French parson didn't know
the difference between a living man and
a dead and painted One-it wasn't his
fault. But he fell asleep with the rose
| in his fingers.
He was awake at the first streak of
dawn. He again bathed his horses
shoulder, saddled, but did not mount
him, as the beast. although better, was
still stiff, and Dick wished to spare
him for the journey to still distant
Harve, although he had determined to
lie over that night Mt the first wayside
inn. luckily for him the disturbance
at the chateau had not extended to the
| forest, for Dick had to lead his horse
slowly and could not have escaped. but
| no suspicion of external intrusion
seemed to have been awakened. and
the woodland was evidently seldom in
vaded. BY dint of laying his course by
the sun and the exercise of a little
woodcraft, in the course of two hours
he heard the creaking of a hay cart
and knew that he was near travelled
road. But to his discomforture he pres
Iently came to high wall, which had
evidently guarded this portion of the
woods from the public. Time. however
had made frequent breaches in tho
! stones; these had been roughly filled
in with a rude abattis of logs and tree
tops pointing towards the road. But rs
these were mainly designed to prevent
intrusion into the park rather than
egress from it, Dick had no difficulty
in rolling them aside and emerging nj
last with his limping steed upon the
white high road. The creaking cart had
passed; it was yet early for traffic. and
Dick presently came upon wine shop
a bakery, a blacksmith's shop, laundry
and a somewhat pretentious cafe and