Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-02-26

AoohOu ioW Ii ao oh, "hdb u
pity no one could see Even l could
only get half glimpse at the glories
OF my costume.
If only dared go downstairs, the
long mirror between the windows in
the parlor would be what L wanted
No sooner said than done. A
spirit of adventure was alive in my
heart, and with my train over my arm
1 passed quietly down. There was no
one to hear. Aunt Augusta slept
soundly, and the only servant was in
her room at the back of the house.
Tranquil and serene, 1 stood and con-
templated my charms; then, with
little sigh OF mingled satisfaction and
regret, 1 prepared to return whence 1
came, since not even the pictures
would not come down and bear me
company.
With the thought of the pictures
still in my head stepped out into the
hall, and stopped-for there was a
man going softly upstairs. The light
was dim, and he was wrapped in a
dark cloak, but saw he was carrying
his boots under his arm, and in an
instant ] remembered the cavali r.
was not as much frightened as you
would have supposed. l never once
thought of the burglar Mrs. Wood
fel had been talking about. 1t seemed
only natural, and matter of course,
that something unusual should
happen.
The rustic of my train, as 1 let it
fall, attracted the cavaliers $ attention.
He turned and saw me there in a mar
row strip of moonlight that fell
through the hall window, and in an
instant he was coming down again to-
ward me.
Iretired before him farther and farther
TIL 1 was back again in the moon
lighted parlor. But still he came on. |
could see him quite plainly then-such
a handsome young man, though wild
and daring! 1t seemed as if ! had
always known his face must be like
that only his auburn love-locks were
gone.
81 was told this house was
haunted" he said, under his breath,
looking at me with his dark eyes.
l had a vague impression in my
mind that it would be good thing if
l were safely back again in my own
room with the door | cked; but since
| was downstairs | might as well make
the best of it. Perhaps it was only
dream, after ALL so L looked at the
cavalier steadily.
Are you alone?" 1 asked. "Where
are the others?" 1 spoke softly be-
cause did not wish to wake Aunt
Augusta.
He did not answer, put came step
nearer, szement in his face.
81 suppose the iailer is still asleep"
I said casually. The cavalier gave
tremendous start and looked over his
shoulder. eff you were trying to
escape" L said, there was no use in
going upstairs.
The cavalier came nearer still and
caught me by my wrist, but he did not
look any less puzzled.
''Flesh and blood" heard him
muttor, and certainly there was moth
ing unsubstantial about his grasp.
But suddenly his brow grew dark.
What do you mean?" he whispered,
tiercely. 'Is this trap to catch
me?'
"No," I answered. I began to get
frightened, and spoke hurriedly.
Escape, if you want to-quick, be-
fore he wakes up
"Where is he, upstairs?" frowning
still, but L could tell by the way he
looked toward the window thai he
meant to go.
''No; he is in there"-pointing to
the room across the hall. "But /
won't wake him up; only let go my
arm. You hurt me!'
''Do you give me your solemn word
of honor that you will not scream or
make any sound or attempt TO leave
this room for half an hour?" demand
ed my captor.
l promised readily enough, and he
motioned me to sit down in Aunt
Augustus big chair, and then, with
out sound, he opened the window.
l thought he was gone, but no. he had
stopped, aud was looking back at me
as | sat there in the moonlight, gravely
watching him, and then he came back
and stood beside me.
81 don't know who or what You
are" he said; ''out you are the
, strangest girl l ever saw--and the
psettiest. Did hurt her poor little
wrist?" And then 1 suppose he rs-
membered the gallantry Of the days to
which he belonged, for he bent his
dark head down low and kissed my
arm as it rested on the chair beside
him. Then he vanished like shadow
and closed the window softly behind
him.
sat motionless in the big chair
and waited. The moonlight slipped
down from my bridal veil and across
my satin lap down to my shining
oebuckles, and ut last was gone al
together; but still the iailer did not
wake up, and all the other pictures
stayed quietly in their frames, and
leaned my head back in Aunt
Augusta's great chair and went fas
asleep while | waited.