El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-05-13

/ wouId she be If even the most fnane
and commonplace caller would come
: to break the monotony Of her endless
/ days! But it is understood in the
ne1ghborhood that the family at the
wilderness are away; so from morn
till night Shell wanders aimlessly
about, with only the gray cat to bear
her company
1t is evening. Shell is even more
desolate than her wont. Susan has
asked permission to go into Mudford to
make a few purchases, and already
she has been absent over three hours
1t is now seven o'clock, and the empty
house seems to Shells excited imagi-
nation like a haunted place. She
fancies she hears hurrying through the
passages. A door slams, and her heart
stands still with fear. Shell however
is not one to give way to morbid feel
ings. and, rousing herself from her
book, she starts on a tour of inspec-
ton through the house, shutting all
windows and securely barring all
doors on her way; then, with a re-
newed sense Of security, she returns
to the drawing-room and determines
to while away the time with music.
Shell is one of those sensitive folk
who never play so we'll as when alone
she cannot pour her whole heart into
her music when she has listeners.
Now, with the house to herself, she
soon becomes lost to her surroundings.
and the room echoes to such heart |
stirring strains as it rarely falls to |
ones lot to hear
Suddenly however her music comes
on M ho, :,
terror, for through the empty hall |
echoes the sonorous thunder of the |
big iron knocker.
Shells first impulse is to take no |
notice-to hide herself or to make her
escape by some back window: then
her natural good sense returns, and
she laughs in nervous manner at her
'ears and with fast-beating heart ad-
vances into the hail.
us that you, Susan?" she asks, but
without christening the heavy chain.
There comes no answer save a Wig
,rouS ring at the bell.
WHO is there?" demands Shell. this
line in firmer tone and one more
likely to penetrate the thick oak
,anels.
"a messenger from Mrs. Widen"
|
amiliar to Shells ears
With trembling hands she shoots |
ack the heavy bolts, and, taking down
he chain, opens the door. There she
tands-pale, big-eyed, and scared
boxing, before-Robert Champley.
"Oh, what fright you gave mel" is
er first involuntary exclamation.
"A fright! How SO? What have l | {
one?" queries her visitor, looking
luch surprised.
"Oh, nothing!" answers Shell, whilst IC
lie ghost of smile fiickers round her +
Till colorless lips. 1T was my own =
but I was not expecting I
ny one excepting Susan, and your
mock frightened me. 1 suppose 1
ust be getting nervous"-with a self
little laugh.
Nervous? 1 should think SOL" cries | |
obert wonderingly. He has taken |
IT hand in greeting, and feels it cold |
Id trem bling in his warm grasp. But | |
rely You are not alone in the house?"
only FOR short time; 1 am expect
g Susan back every minute" ex-
aims Shell. who feels heartily
hamed of her late weakness.
Her visitor looks grave. III
You ought not to be left alone in
house like this" he says very de- h
dedly. Why, you are trembling II
ILL.," /
His words remind Shell that he still
IS possession of her hand-with al
tie impatient movement she with
avs it.
why are you not with Mrs. Widen
d the others?" he continues kindly, Il
he follows Shell into the drawing
ON. which looks bare and desolate.