Connecticut western news., 1901-11-14
A Highwayman's Juliet g A R
A Celebrated Authox's Wefrd Fnncy.
By ARTHUR T. QUuLER-coUcR.

| 8 A Celebrated Authox's I X Weird Fnncy. l 2 By ARTHUR T. QUuLER-COUCH. g 1<%@><@@<<~~<<@~><%%><@~>% The house In question was what Peter the Scholar (who corrects my | proof sheets) calls one of the rusinurby sort-the front facing a street and the
 back looking over a turfed garden, with lime tree or two, . laburnum, and a lawn tennis court marked out, l it's white lines plain to see in the star light. At the end of the garden a door, I painted dark green, led into a narrow lane between high walls, where, if two persons met, one had to turn sideways l to let the other pass. The entrance to | this lane was cut in two by a wooden post about the height of your hip, and l just beyond this, in the highroad, George was waiting for us with the I dogcart.
 dinner hour. It had just turned dark, and the church clock, two streets away, was chiming the quarter after 8 when Peter and I let ourselves In by the l green door spoke of and felt along the wall for the gardeners ladder that we knew was hanging there. A simpler | job there never was. The bedroom window on the first floor stood right open to the night air, and inside was faint candlelight flickering, just as careless maid will leave 1t after her fcAr hou fx, Usr be sure, there was a chance of her com ing back to put 1t out, but we could hear her voice going in the servants hall as we lifted the ladder and rested 1t against the sill.
 She's good for half an hour yet" Peter whispered, holding the ladder while I began to climb; but If hear her voice stop I'll give the signal to be cautious"
 went up softly, pushed my head gently above the level of the sill and looked in.
 It was roomy place. with . great half tester bed, hung with curtains, standing out from the wall on my right. The curtains were of chintz. dark background, with flaming red peoples sprawling over 1t, and the farther curtain hid the dressing table and the candles upon 1t and the jewel case that I confidently hoped to stand upon it also. A bright Brussels carpet covered the floor, and the wall paper, I remember-though, for the life of me, I can not tell why-was a pale gray ground, worked up to initiate, watered silk, with springs of gilt honeysuckle upon 1t.
 looked around and listened for half minute. The house was still as death up here-not sound in the room or in the passages beyond. With a nod to Peter to hold the ladder firm lifted | one leg over the sill, then the other, dropped my feet carefully upon the thick carpet and went quickly around the bed to the dressing table But at the corner, and as soon as ever I saw around the chintz curtain, my knees gave way, and put out a hand toward the bedpost. Before the dressing table, and in front of the big glass in which she could see my white face, was an old lady seated.
 She wore blaze of jewels and a low | gown, out of which rose the scraggiest neck and shoulders I have ever looked on. Her hair was thick with black dye and fastened with diamond star. Be l tween the two candles the powder | showed on her cheek bones like -four on a miller's coat. Chin on hand, she was gazing steadily into the mirror be- fore her. and, even In my fright, I had | time to note that glass of sherry and | a plate of rice and curry stood at her
 elbow among the rouge pots and powder puffs.
 While stood stock still and pretty | we'll scared out of my wits she rose, still staring at my image in the glass, folded her hands modestly over her
 bosom and spoke in a deep, tragical l voice:
 'The princew
 Then. facing sharply around, she held out her thin arms. | You have come-at lastY | There was not much to say to this | except that had. So I confessed 1t.
 Even with the candles behind her
 could see her eyes glowing like a dogs,
 and an uglier poor creature this world
 could scarcely show.
 "Is the ladder set against the win
 dowr'
 Since you seem to know, ma'am," !"
 said I, ''it is."
 "Ah, Romeo! Your cheeks are ruddy
 your peoples are too red"
 'Then Pm glad my color's come back
 for. to tell the truth, you did give me a
 turn just at first You were looking
 out for me, no doubt"-
 My princew She stretched out her
 arms again, and. being pretty well at
 my wits end, I let her embrace me. 'Tt
 has been so long," she said-"oh, the
 weary while! And they i'll treat me. | Where have you been all this tedious timer
 was not going to answer that, you
 may be sure. By this time had recov-
 cred myself sufficiently to guess what
 was near the truth-that this was mad
 aunt of the family below, and that the
 game was in my hands if played with
 decent care. So met her question with | another
 Look here." said, I'm running .
 considerable risk in braving these per
 secutors of your'n. Hadn't we better
 elope at onceY'
 "I am ready"
 And the jewels? You won't leave
 them to your enemies, I suppose"
 She turned to the dressing table. lift.
 cd her jewel case and put 1t into my
 ha0dA ----.