The Holly chieftain., 1901-06-28

bling. and gained the shore. Striking
inland, the old Hall was just before
me. Iwalked slowly up the long ave-
nue. and ascendedF the granite steps.
Az l reached the last step, stumbled
and fell upon my knees. Looking
round to. see the cause. found an iron
gauntlet, rusted and eaten away. and
half buried in the moss that grew
around 1t. took 1t up with 4 strange
thrill OF awe. How many years had II
awaited me, since the nery lover hurled
1t, like a curse. back in the face of
his pursuer? The door before me was
of carved oak. but worm eaten and de-,
caying. With \ sudden impulse, for
which I could not account, struck
upon 1t furiously with the iron glove.
The frail fastenings, already half an
done by the hand Of time. gave wAy st
my fmpetuous summons, and. amid .
thousand echoes. the door swung slow
ly on its hinges and the castle was
won. When the cloud of dust raised
by my sudden entrance had subsided,
l passed through the portal and stood
upon the floor Of the hall There,
where the lovely lady's flying footsteps
had rested last: there, where the low
er had thrown down the iron glove, in
defiance Of the wronged and deserted
husband: there, where the feeble old
man had sunk down in agony. when.
hearing their horses hoofs beyond the
outer court. he learned the full extent
of his dishouor and despair; there,
where his menials' had raised him,
shrieking and cursing In impetuous
madness; there. where they had borne
him slowly up the long stone staircase
that wound around and around and far
above my head to the lonely room that
was to be his prison and his tomb.
The stone flags were no longer shoul-
der to shoulder, like firm friends and
true. Time had come between them.
as between all other things. and the
dark, deep crevices on every side were
only hidden by the long grass that
sought to bridge them over.
while I stood in the hall ] thought
1 heard a faint, distant noise above
my head, and looking up the staircase,
saw" stf1ttf N4tf
"Yow!!" yelped Mr.. Cowley. hinging
the book to the other end Of the room,
"I'll read no more OF thats I've got
to where the ghost comes in. I looked
up and saw-Oh. yes. Of course you
did. But II you imagine you are go
ing to induce me to read your raw
headed and bloody-bone rubbish, you
are grandly mistaken. Strange that
everything one takes up in this wretch
ed place turns into ghost story on
your hands should not be surprised
any morning to dnd the leading article
in the Times turning into tale of a
haunted house right under my eyes
It's unbearable-positivel unbeara-
ble!" e '.''i7s
He finished his grog and looked at
his watch. 5.4
Eleven o'clock and the house as still
as death! l wonder II they are all
asleep. High time for me to go-Oh.
Lord! what's that?" A
The sound was In the room exactly
overhead-a steady, continuous knock
Ing that seemed to summon him to the
place without delay.
What room is that? The turret
chamber! Rose said there was some
thing there and that was why she
moved her room!"
For moment or two the worthy
banker sat like one paralyzed, q cold
moisture on his face and his heart
beating . muf1ed mxrch within his
breast. At last his British pluck"
came to his aid.
by st. George of England, I won't
turn coward in my old age!" he ex-
claimed. Man, woman or ghost-let
1t be what it may. I'll go and meet IT."
He took the candle and left the room.
All was quiet on the stairs. in the hall.
in the gallery above. The knocking
ceased.
With trembling hand he opened the
door Of the turret chamber.
A tall and slender woman stood
alone in the center Of the room. Her
face was hidden by black mask. A
full mantle, or robe of crimson cloth
covered her from head to foot. It was
girded at the waist by cord Of .varie-s
gated silk, and the full sleeves were
embroidered with threads of gold.
Upon her breast something shone and
sparkled In the shape Of star.
In one hand she held the casket and
the tress Of hair; in the other, paper
on which the astonished banker saw;