Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-10-20
CHAPTER xvI.-tcontinued.)


was fast and eruei in my judgment. You
were. indeed, obliged to execute the vile
plans of the baronet There" added he
tenderly, as ne drew her hands from her
face, and with his handkerchief wiped
away hertears; weep no more; you
were not to blame Child, give me your
hand in token of forgiveness"
Then you do not despise me?"
"Despise you? MOI no. ! only" he
stopped; he was about to say love you"
but remembering his vow, he added soft
ly, pity you"
Eyes. you may pity me! oh, sHntie,
auntie. why did / ever promise you to
come TO this wretched placer was her
wailing cry.
Still holding her hand in his. and also
takir, from her the candle, he turned
and ud her down the long, steep stairs.
Only Orc ia Ethel speak, then she
merely said:
Sir Reginald will be very angry if he
hears of your entrance here. Must he
be told:'
Il will think it over and let you know
tomorrow. You must sleep tonight and
SO recover from this nervousness"
They soon reached the bottom stair.
remembered that her work was but half
done, and the rest could not be accom-
plished until DR. Elfenstein had left her.
Turning to him, she said:
VIII You kindly tell me how you en-
tered this place? You must leave me
now, going silently as you came"
Il will. | came through the ruins. |
saw you open a door and reach for .
Lop -.f bn- I y
But surely, l fastened it again.
You were so agitated, you forgot to
do it | certainly opened it. without diff
ficulty. and crept after you, eager to
solve the mystery of the haunted tower,
which ! then. for the first time, began
TO connect with your movements. But
you are weary now, so l viii leave you,
and return as | came"
Giving back the candle, he took her
hand and was just saying, Good night,
Miss Nevergail," when suddenly both
stopped short in their walk; both turn
ell deadly pale, as a short, strange. loud
report. close by their ears, startled and
COMPOUNDED them.
Then to their horror, something darted
towards them. a huge form swooped
past, dashing the candle to the ground,
thus extinsuishing it, leaving them in
total darkness and gloom.
"Oh. what is it? What is it?' cried
the terrified girl, as she nestled close to
her companion, while he, scarcely realiz-
ing what he did, threw his arms around
her form. to protect her from he knew
not what.
Suddenly a wild, unearthly laugh, or
yell, Aoated to them from the other end
of the corridor, and as it passed, DIR.
Elfenstein pressed the girl he held closer
to his heart, and laid his cheek against
her frightened face.
"Oh. do not leave me! l shall die! l
shall die" gasped Ethel.
Il will not. You are not so afraid
now, and thus, close to me, are you,
dear?'
No: not so fearfully afraid as 1 was. -
Gently stroking her hair, the young
man felt, even in the terror, inspired by
their dreadful position, a feeling almost
of rapture steal over him, as he held
her thus close in his arms, with hers
clinging to his waist. But suddenly,
calmer reflections came; he felt this thing
must be seen TO; whatever presence had
been near them must be discovered, and
that he ought to follow up the sound.
"Childp he whispered, whatever has
been near us, l know by that last cry,
has escaped into the ruins, through the
door by which l entered. That being so,
| must in duty carry you to a place of
safety. then search around to see what it
could have been"
Instantly. then, it flashed over Ethers
mind, that the ape, Sir Reginald's choice
concealed treasure, had escaped, and that
the knife she had so carelessly given him
had done the deed. He had cut his way
out. Oh. the terror this thought thrust
into her heart was almost unbearable
At once, she became, as it were dead
weight again in the doctors arms.
Then another thought came that inn
parted new life. Her oath had been TAX
en- never to reveal the existence of that
animal, nor of the concealed room. In
order to keep this vow, DR. Elfenstein
must not examine the premises.
She knew well now the meaning of
that first report. The beast had knocked
down the iron shelves, burst open the
nanels. and in consequence a light would
show the doctor that opening, and the
room beyond No, he must never exam
inc this corridor. Nerying herself for
a new task, she said:
Doctor, caI.ac, consent to being left
moment here alone. Nor will l con-
sent to your exposing yourself further
tonight. Take me, then, to my room.
and we will lock up this place. and you
can steal softly from the house another
way
But. Miss Nevergail, surely this
ought to be investigated"
''Oh. no. please do not inv estigate! l
cannot allow it, cannot endure iti'
As she spoke, long. deep shudder
passed over her frame. and the doctor,
noticing it. knew at once that her nerv-
ous system could stand no more, there
fore, felt it was best TO yiAd.
shall | not. at least, light the can
dle?''
tho moor girl. Mortified at the thought of
what a light might reveal.
Tell me. then. which way your room
lies. and l shall carry you thither at
oncer
straight. Just beyond the door by
which you entered. through passage
way. my room lies opposite its door,
she returned. But. indeed. doctor. l
can walk. if You will only let me hold 70
your arm l would rather.
well. be it sou returned the man. re
leasing her, yet still retaining her hand.
which he drew under his arm.
When they neared the door Of the ruin.
however. Ethel felt 4 strong current Of
air upon her cheek, which revealed the
fact that il stood wide open. and in
stantly . deadly fear of the horrible
creature that had escaped. being still
near. seized her. and again she shrank
closer 20 her friend, while her faltering
steps told of departing strength
Without a word. Earle Elfenstein Eft
ed her in his arms, and so passed into the
passageway. Remembering that his
presence there must be kept a secret. the
young girl whispered:
step softly; let no one heart"
Il WILL" he breathed back. and guild
ed by the dim light under the door in
dictated. he passed through. emerging
from the open wardrobe, into the bed