Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-09-19
Author of. The Kouse ,on lbs Narsh," eteI
ICopyright 1885, by Robert, Bonner's Sons,,-

saw, by the light that came through
the dusty panes above the front and
the back door, that her little pinched
face had grown livid at some terrible
thought.
"Well, what happened last night
Oh? said Clifford, speaking In as
cheerful a tone as he could, in the
hope of soothing her nerves. But in
stead of answering at once, little Miss
Bostal, suddenly opening again her
faded light eyes and staring at him
with solemn intentness, led him to the
door of the drawing-room, which she
unlocked and threw open with tragic
gesture.
Look in therew whispered she.
Clifford obeyed, and say nothing
whatever; for it was dark. When,
after a few minutes spent in rather
uncanny silence on the part Of the
lady, his eyes got used to the gloom,
he saw that the windows had been
barricaded from the inside in the
most thorough and ingenious manner
with furniture and with planks nailed
across from side to side. .
"Why," said he, in astonishmen,,'
"you seem to be preparing to stand q
SIEGE"
He had already made up his mind
that the eccentric little lady had gona
out of her mind.
"We are besieged," she whispered,
with look which confirmed Cliff
ford's hypothesis. 81 can see that you
don't believe me, that you think 1t is
only my fancy. But ask my father"
And before Clifford could make any
answer, she had quickly crossed the
stone-fagged passage, had thrown
open the door Of the dining-room and
with a gesture invited Clifford to en-
ter.
AS the young man did so, rather
fearing what sort Of conversation he
should have to hold with her. he wac
much relieved to find that the Colonel
was there, sitting by the fire, with his
spectacles on, reading weekly paper.
But to Clifford's establishment and
alarm, the change In the old man was
as great as in his daughter.
Colonel Bostal, although his clothes
were always shabby and old-fashioned,
had always retained an air of soldier
~ trimness. had always kept his hair
closely cut and his snow-white mus
tache well trimmed, so that he had
borne a certain air Of smartness and
distinction. Now he had lost every
trace of it. His shoulders were bent.
His hair had been allowed to grow
long. His mustache hung ragged and
untrimmed over a rough and stray
Cling beard. More than this. there
was in his eyes a look as pitiful in it's
restlessness as the haunting express
sion which Clifford had noticed in
Miss Theodora's. :
The old man started when he saw
the visitor, rose and held out his hand
with mechanical, old-fashioned court
esy; but it was doubtful whether he
recognized him.
Miss Bostal went softly round his
chair with her quick, bird-like little
steps, and put her hand gently on hi
shoulder.
Dear papa" she said in whisper,
"don't you remember Mr.. King? He
was here in the summer. You do
remember don't you?"
ooh, yes, certainly do; Of course
/ do, Theodore" responded the Colonel,
with a slight frown at the implication
that he was losing his memory. "Sit
down, Mr.. King, and tell us what tho
great world is doing"
Then Clifford saw that In a moment
the old man had become quite him.
self, and it was the weight Of soma
care which had given him his changed
appearance. The young man was sor
~ when Miss Theodore at once re.
called her father to the anxiety which
was pressing upon both Of them.
II want you to tell Mr.. King, papa
she said, as Clifford took the chair
offered him, "about the terrible perse'
cution we have been subjected to late,
ly since the Blue Lion has been shut
up"
"It's not a very lively subject" OBJ.
jected her father, whose face fell at
his daughters words. However, I
will tell you, if the story is WORTH
telling"
Clifford, although he was indeed
curious to hear the narrative, protest
ed that he did not wish to do so, as
he saw that his host was by no means
anxious to relate it. But Miss Theo-
dora insisted.
"Well, them" said the old gentle
man, lit is simply this: At least halt
dozen times since the Blue Lion
has been deserted we have been an
noyed by knocks and blows on our
doors and windows at night. And
although we have done our best to
find out who it is that annoys us in
this manner, we have been unable to
do So"
"And have you no idea, no sus-
picion?"
The Colonel shook his head in a
troubled and anxious manner, but
Miss Theodore pursed her lips and
looked shrewd.
II have a theory" she said. And
she waited to be asked what her theo-
ry was.
Clifford EXPRESSED the WiShed.for |
curiosity.
81 believe" she went on, with con-.
viction, that it is the person who has
been at the bottom Of the mysteries
we have been suffering here lately"