Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-05-09
RED BERRIES AND WHITE.
CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)
A Christmas Tragedy.


Amid the screaming of the wind Sir
George had not heard the pistol shot, as
his study was in the front of the prem
ises. But to the lovers the sound had
come loud and sharp, in spite of the
snow and the wind.
THE Hidden Bells!" shuddered Gladys,
rlinging to her sweetheart, in spite of
the blast which rushed in through the
easement; land that shot, and that cry
of agony-what can they mean? What
awful misfortune is it that threatens
our house?"
He closed the window and took her in
his arms, caressing her soothingly.
THAT shot may have been a game
keeper firing at a poacher," he said;
"and as for the bells, they were perhaps
the mufled peals of Fernleigh New
Church. They would sound like that in
the snow.
And yet he knew that he was talking
falsely.
No one could mistake the muffled peal
of the new bells of Fernleigh for the
others.
There was no occasion for the former
to ring out at such an hour, and both
the lovers knew well the deep toned
sound, so different from that to which
they were listening now.
"I'll 90 and see what is the matter"
said Reuben; but tell me, Gladys, is it
true that your Christmas eve party is to
take the snaps of a fancy ball?"
Yes; with masks for those who like
to wear them
Then III be here said Reuben. q
will make my way in somehow Tom0r-
row I shall be here to see you at the
same hour, and | will tell you what my
disguise will be-"
One more embrace, and the lovers
parted; Gladys to creep down noiselessly
to her bed-chamber, after letting Reuben
out: and the latter to make his way hur
riedly to the grounds to solve, if possible,
the mystery of the pistol-shot. As he
reached the terrace he saw that the
lights in the dinngroom had been turned
on. and he saw at the same time a figure
coming up the steps, which he presently
recognized as that of Ernest Walton.
He seemed to be in pain, and his left
wrist was bound up in a handkerchief.
Regardless of the danger to himself,
Reuben Cooper advanced.
Are you hurt Mr. Walton?" he cried.
81 heard a shot and clamhered into the
grounds to see if / could discover the
mystry, but l have failed in this dense
storm"
Some idiot fred at me in mistake for
someone else, | suppose" said Walton.
ut might have been worse as it is. he
has only hurt my wrist. I can't think
who it can be, unless some enemy of my
cousin Richards, who mistOok me for
him, because | am wearing his coat But
I'll get in and have my wound seen to.
Good night. Reuben; be careful, or per-
haps they'll shoot you as a trespasser."
The last word was said in an unpleas-
ant way which seemed to veil some
threat; but Reuben wished the speaker
the compliments of the season in a
CHEEKY way, and crossed the big lawn to-
wards the spot where he had entered the
grounds.
As he reached the road leading to the
encampment, a long shrill wailing cry
came up from Stewards, and the Hidden
Bells rang out with a more hideous
jang1e than ever-crashing and moaning.
and sending forth weird sounds that
quivered over the countryside like the
wailings of lost spirits. And all the time
came the deafening roar of the breakers
against the rocks.
1t was a night to be remembered, and
the inmates of Fernleigh Manor might
well be forgiven if they regarded it as a
presage of some awful catastrophe.