Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-10-13

erect an entrance.
One day, it was the one on which
Ethel started for the eventful walk, he
III such drive noticed a small. we'll
trodden pathway leading up to a clump
OF bushes. Instantly the thought struck
nm that behind those bushes, conceal
e. from view, might be an open passage
to the place, although he felt certain
there was no doorway The more he
thought of this the more he was sure it
must be the case.
Why that we'll used path through the
grass if not for some such purpose? Yes;
some human feet were in the habit of en-
tering there, and he resolved to return
to the place, under cover of darkness.
and investigate those bushes.
Full of this discovery, and full of hope
that he might yet penetrate to the mys-
ferrous tower, he touched his horse with
the whip and drove hastily away.
But just as he emerged again into the
ramble he saw Miss Belle Glendenninr
gazing ut him from an upper window.
and felt mortified that she should have
noticed his ride around the premises, as
conscience whispered it must speak 70
her OF Prying nature.
Feeling, however, that it was done.
and could not now be recalled. he passed
on and proceeded to visit the homes of
several sick persons who needed mis- adj
vice and assistance.
On his return it was that he suddenly
heard wild shrek of terror, and looking
around, had seen Ethel in that dangerous
situation, while the nearing train told
OF the death that awaited her Springing
to the ground, he had rushed to her as
sistance. and had wrenched apart those
stiff fastenings and drawn her from her
peril.
After he had left her Mt the Hall If was
hard TO recall his truant thoughts to their
proper sphere, but with set teeth and a
hrm resolve, he plunged into study. and
active work, in order to be at peace with
himself
The great suffering of new patient
even detained him by his side until. after
midnight the second evening. and a third
time had night folded the earth before
relief came to the weary one. and Earle
Elfenstein was at liberty to pay the
lonely ruin the desired call.
Ihen violent storm was ragingi This
storm was, strange to say, the first that
had occurred in the evening since bis
night yoew of the haunted tower and
its dancing demon, just FIVE weeks be-
fore.
Not wishing 70 be seen by any of the
inmates, he did not venture out until af-
ter nine o'clock. Then the wild wind and
drenching rain served to retard his prog
ress so much that it was full quarter to
ten before he felt the worn pathway
and crept behind the clump of thick, wet
bushes, where, once concealed from view
he paused to light a small dark lantern
he had wisely brought with him.
By the aid of this he proceeded to ex-
anime what only seemed a dull blank
wall. Close inspection, however, reveal
ed a large stone that was loose, which
he easily drew forth, making a clean.
unobstructed passageway, through which
a man could creep, and without hesita-
ton in he went, landing directly upon
an old, but still passable floor.
Lowering his light, he paused to ex-
anime this floor, and found to his sur
prise, wet tracks upon it, that told plain
" that very recent footsteps had passed
that way. Following these, the young
man walked in direct line across the
building, until he reached door, which.
upon trying, he found to his chagrin. Sc
curely fastened.
Even while he paused to reflect upon
his next movement, distant footsteps fell
upon his ear, just beyond the door, and
hurriedly he darted back, extinguishing
his light as he did So
Just in time was this movement made.
for hand unlocked the fastening. open
ed the door, and there, to his unmitigat-
ed surprise, stood Ethel Nevergail, the
girl so much the object of his thoughts
since that narrow escape of hers, with a
lighted candle in her hand, peering into
the darkness beyond.
Had she seen him? he asked himself.
creeping like a thief towards this unfor-
tunate house, and hearing his steps. had
she come to warn him away?
No! the thought was absurd and ne |
soon saw that she came seeking merely |
a covered basket, not observed until then. |
standing just beyond the door.
How pale she looked, as he viewed for |
one moment her sad face and--yes! sure
ly, those were tears that fell from her |
beautiful hazel eyes upon her cheek.
The sight of those tears caused him to |
take one step toward her, but she fortu- |
nately did not see him, but drew to the |
door, after securing the basket. and he |
them heard her little feet start down the |
corridor.
Resolved not to be baked in his eff |
forts to unravel this night one mystery |
at least, DIR. Elfenstein pushed again to-
wards the door, and to his JOY, it this |
time yielded 10 his touch.
Poor Ethel! this night for the first |
time had been required by Sir Reginald |
to visit the tower and follow |
out directions he gave her in full, for |
producing the illusions that were TO terri
fy the unsuspecting public.
In great agitation then. and still weep |
ing, she had proceeded to the fulfllment |
of her loathsome duty, and in her grief /
and excitement, for the first tine forgot |
TO fasten the door, after possessing her |
self of the food
This forgetfulness accounts for the |
entrance of the doctor into the corridor, |
and enabled him TO follow her advancing |
figure, softly in the distance.