Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-11-10

to De panels, corresponding TO tlOSe
which formed the room; bat, on look
ing more closely. l discovered that
this back of the closet was. or had
been, n door. There was nothing un-
usual in this, especially in such an
old house; but the discovery reused
in me n strong desire to know what
lay behind the old door. l found that
it was secured only by an ordinary
bolt from which the handle had been
removed. Soothing my conscience
with the reflection that l had Il right
to know what sort of place had COM
munication with my room, l succeeded
by the help of my deer-knife, in fore
ing back the rusty bolt; and though.
from the stiffness of the hinges, |
dreaded n crack, they yielGed Il, last
with only 4 creak.
The opening door revealed n large
hall, empty utterly. save of dust and
cobwebs, which festooned 1t in all
quarters. and gave it an appearance
of unutterable desolation. The now
familiar feeling, that had seen the
place before, filed my mind the first
moment, and passed away the next.
4 broad, right-angled staircase, with
massive balusters. rose from the mid
die of the hall. This staircase could
not have originally belonged TO the
ancient wing which 1 had observed at
my first approach, being much more
modern; but l was convinced, from
the observations I had made as to the
situation of the room, that l was bor-
dering upon, If not within, the oldest
portion of the pile. In sudden horror,
lest should hear light football upon
the awful stair, / withdrew hurriedly,
and having secured both the doors,
betook myself to my bedroom, in
whose dingy four-post bed, with its
carving and plumes reminding me of a
hearse, / was soon ensconced amidst
the snowiest linen, with the sweet and
clean odor of lavender In spite of
novelty, antiquity, speculation, and
dread, was soon fast asleep; becom-
ing thereby a filter inhabitant of such
regions, through their ancient and
deathlike repose.
I made no use of my discovered
door, although I always intended do
ing SO; especially after, in talking
about the building with Lady Hilton,
] found that l was at perfect liberty
to make what excursions l pleased
into the deserted portions.
My pupils turned out to be teach
able, and therefore my occupation was
pleasant Their sister frequently
came to me for help, as there happened
to be Just then an interregnum of gov
ernnesses; soon she settled into n reg
ular pupil.
After a few weeks, Lord Hilton re-
turned. Though my room was so far
from the great hail, heard the clank
of his spurs on its pavement. l trem-
bled; for it sounded like the broken
shoe. But l shook off the influence
in a moment, heartily ashamed of its
power over me. Soon l became IA
miliar enough both with the sound
and it's cause; for his lordship rarely
went anywhere except on horseback,
and was booted and spurred from
morning till night.
He received me with some appear
ance of interest, which Immediately
stiffened and froze. Beginning to
shake hands with me as if he meant
1t, he instantly dropped my hand, as
If It stung him. His nobility was of
that sort which stands in constant
need Of repair. Like a weak constitu-
lordship could not be said to neglect
It; for he seemed to find his principal
employment in administering contin-
uous doses of obseQuiousness to his
own pride. His rank, like the coat
made for some large ancestor, hung
loose upon him; he was always trying
to persuade himself that 1t was an ex-
cellent fit, but ever with an unae-
knowledged misgivi3g. This misgiv-
ing might have done him good, had he
not met 1t with renewed efforts at
looking that which he feared he was
not. Yet this man was capable of the
utmost persistency In carrying out any
scheme he had once devised. Enough
of him for the present; l seldom came
into contact with him.
1 scarcely ever saw Lady Alice, ex-
cept at dinner, or by accidental meet
ing in the grounds and passages Of
the house; and then she took no notice
Of me whatever.