Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-10

sufficient for me to see my way. But in
the chamber itself all was dark
The wind had not yet risen and the shut
ter which a half hour later moved so rest
lessly it's creaking hinges Rugged the
window tightly that I imagined Mr.. JEFF
frey had fastened 1t the night before.
Looking for some receptacle in which to
set the candle I now lit l failed to find
anything but an empty tumbler, so l made
use of that. Then 1 glanced about me, but
seeing nothing worth my attention-Mrs
Jeffrey's wedding fixings did not interest
me, and everything else about the room
looking natural except the- overturned
chair. which struck me as immat erialI
hurried down stairs again, leaving the can
die burning behind me in case l should
wish to return aloft after 1 had refreshed
my mind with what had been written about
this old room
Not a sound disturbed the house as
the library shelves. I was as much alone
under that desolate roof as mortal could be
with men anywhere within reach of him.
1 enjoyed the solitude and was making a
very pretty theory for myself on a scrap of
paper tore from another old book. when a
noise suddenly rose in front. which, slight
as it was, was quite unmistakable to ears
trained In listening. Some one was I'M
locking the front door.
Naturally thought it. to be Mr.. jeffrey
returning for a second visit to his wife's
house, and knowing what I might expect
If he surprised me on the premises, I re-
Seoieu tlio pooh hastily N1 IT'S pldcc ana us
hastily blew out the candle. Then with
every intention of ffght,qI backed toward
the door by which had entered. But some
impulse stronger than that of escape made
me stop just before 10 reached 1t. I could
see nothing; the place was dark as Tophet;
but could listen. The person-Mr. Jeffrey,
or some other-was coming my way and in
perfect darkness. could hear the falter-
ing steps-the fingers dragging along the
walls; then rustic AS Of skirts. proving
the intruder to be a Woman-a fact which
greatly surprised me-then a long-drawn
sigh or gasp. lTs.fs
1.-The last determined me. The situation
was too intense for-me Ito leave without
first learning who the woman was who in
terror and shrinking DARED to drag her
half-resisting feet through these empty
halls and into place cursed with such I'M
wholesome memories. did not think of
Veronica. No one looks for a butterfly in
the depths of dungeon. But I did think
of Miss Tuttle-that woman of resolute
will. Without attempting to imagine the
reason for her presence stood my ground
and hardened till the heavy mahogany door
at the other end of the room began to
swing in by jerks under the faint and trem-
ulOus push of terrified hand. Then there
came silence-a long silence-followed by
moan SO agonized that realized that what
ever was the cause of this painting wO-
mans presence here 1t was due to no mere
errand of curiosity. This whetted my pur-
pose. Anything done in this house was in
way done to me; so remained quiet and
watched. But the sounds which now and
then came from the remote corner upon
which my attention was concentrated were
very eloquent.
II heard signs and bitter groans, with
now and then murmured prayer, broken
by a low wailing, in which caught the