The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-10-31


said. drawing a curtain aside as we
entered the Venetian chamber, 'here
IL a little door you would hardly oh
serve. even were the cxrtain sbsen;
The passage behind runs the whole
length Of the house. II Is dark and
dusty. and I should not advise you
20 venture on voyage of discovery"
1T certainly looks very ghostly,-
] said. rs we sat on q low sofa. com
fortably slipping our coffee.
The old lady's eyes rested upon me
benignly.
Il feel so happy tonight she muir
INJURED .-You have made me realize
how lonely my life is"
She took my hand and stroked IL
softly. half expected 10 hear her
purr. Then came one Of the most
startling moments Of my life.
Mrs. Shepperton, whom that very
day j had seen only for the first
time. made an amazing proposition
She ted me l reminded her very for
chilly of daughter she had lost long
years ago. She expressed an intense
desire for my company. and begged
me 10 go abroad with her on the fol-
lowing morning
1T won't he for very long" she de-
clared soothingly. And ! will buy
You some lovely Partisan clothes IL
your wardrobe is insufficient / will
write to your mother tomorrow, and
explain what have done. am sure
she could not possibly mind, especial
ly as we were introduced by a mu-
tual friend
Somehow still felt under spell,
and the delightful suggestion proved
too tempting. have always been
and somewhat hot
headed, ! fear. Assuring myself that
my family could have NO objection. I
joyfulIy consented to accompany
Mrs Shepperton on her pleasure
trip.
As We talked over the many de-
lights of foreign travel. suddenly
started forward. grasping her elbow.
what Is the matter, child?" she
asked.
Il saw a figure" gasped. hiding
IN that curtain opposite. could
have declared the form Of a man
stood behind the velvet. The out
Inc of his shoulder showed quite dis
.inctly."
Mrs. Shepperton started up. trem-
bling.
"ft must have been your fancy
'he cried, begging me TO look behind
he curtain: but. of course, this was
useless Had anyone been there. he
would have retired through the panel
loor into the long, dark passage be-
rond.
/ tried to forget what / had seen. |
cling myself it was only imagina-
ion; but the memory haunted me
IS ] went UP to bed.
'sNever mind" I thought. TO
you will be far away from
his lonely building"
! dreampt Of the pleasure Of wealth
md of the many luxuries / was about |
o enjoy.
The following morning Mrs. Shcp-
'erton appeared somewhat depressed \
4 breakfast.
II want YOU. il you viii, my dear"
he said. in her soft. cooling voice,
TO do an errand fer me on the way
o the station. 1 shall drive in q
losed carriage, but you mus. 60
ound by the town in the Victoria.
which will be at the door in . few
minutes. I need little spare money
or our travelling expenses. Please 60
o the bank and change this check
or f1oo, which you must bring ne
, notes."
i took the check. and drove away
heerfully. glad TO feel / could do
er "A service.
The drive was very hilly one,
nd the little town nestled at the
Dot of a steep descent. As the car
iage proceeded at a slow pace. a
man sprang forward.
pparently from the hedge. and took
n his hat to me.
I felt myself turning very red. for
hardly knew what to do. since he
as total stranger. Before / had
me 70 think. he jumped into the
arriage. and seated himself beside
'e. ] nervously grasped the pres
Gus check in my hand.
what do you want7' asked
'crnly. quivering with Indignation
his impairment action.
Excuse me. MISS he said, "but
ant that check for s1oo which you
re going to cash at the bank"
you may want it," / said. con-
need this was case Of highway
'bbery, but you won't get it,
Don't be alarmed" he answered.
aiding my thoughts. after all,
,u are quite right not 60 give IL up.
suppose you are unaware that you
C being made the victim Of a very .
'uel trick? saw you arrive yes
rday. and judged by your looks you ,
ere not an acccmpiice. though the 4
are many Of the Mrs. Z
you know. One has
aged her false. and very large |,
heme Is about to end in failure.
The old lady who received you 30 ]
fect3onntely last evening. and '
mpted you TO accept her invitationl 9
foreign travel. was. strange TO re- r
- fhss h0vraalr~~v,er x~hr -. <,,l9