Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-10-08
CHApTER TX.

In about an hour servant maid en-
tered, to say that the room was in readi
ness. Taking up her bonnet and wrap,
the young girl passed through the front
hall into the room adjoining, which she
found exceedingly beautiful 1t had evil
IDENTIFY always been exclusively guest
chamber, and so richly was it furnished,
that she guessed at once why Lady, Con
stance had objected to it's daily use.
As soon as the maid had withdrawn,
Ethel commenced an examination of the
implements Sir Reginald had mentioned.
The bookcase he had spoken Of she knew
had been carried thther from the library
for her use since her arrival The draw
er to which he had given her a key of
peculiar shape was a secret one, found,
as he had whispered, behind the books,
and remembering his directions, she pro
ceeded to open it, after carefully locking
her door.
There lay the three singularly shaped,
large knives, with long, sharp pointed
blades, there also was china candle
stick, with three or four dozen wax can
dies. Matches were in large tin box,
ready for constant and instant use.
Registering the drawer and replac-
ing the books, the young girl proceeded
to the wardrobe on the opposite side of
the room, and unlocking it, she saw at
| the back door bolted on her side, which
| gave her an immediate feeling Of ae
! curity.
| Softly drawing the bolt, she looked out
! into a small passage that led merely from
her own room to a similar door inside
| a wardrobe she had seen in the baronet's.
These two rooms communicated with
this little passageway from the inhab-
tied part of the house, and these alone.
| Directly opposite her door was a smaller
one, which she at once knew must lead
to the Haunted Tower and deserted
rooms, belonging to this singular old
mansion.
Retreating to her own apartment
through the wardrobe, Ethel bathed her
face and hands, smoothed her hair, and
once more turned towards the room of
the invalid.
At the threshold however, she met old
Mrs. FREEDOM, the nurse, who had been in
the family for years, who whispered that
the baronet had fallen asleep, therefore
she might walk around the grounds il
she chose.
Feeling that the fresh air would revive
her shrinking spirit, Ethel tripped down
the broad staircase and stepped upon
the piazza. AS she did so, she almost
ran against gentleman just entering
Raising her eyes to apologize, she
found herself face to face with DR.. Ellen
stein, the kind friend that she had part
ed with few weeks before. lie was as
much astounded as herself it seemed, al
her unexpected appearance.
as it possible that this can be Miss
NevergailY'
at is, indeed; but | can scarcely be
lieve this my friend, DR.. Elfenstein. How
is it we meet in this unexpected place
and mannerW
Il was about calling on my patient
Sir Reginald Glendenning, when, instead
of being received by a servant, Miss New
ergail comes flying towards me. How i.
it you are here? | see by your black
robes that your aunt must have passed
away. But come out upon the piazza
as YOU were about to do, and tell me Of
Yourself"
Passing from the door to the shadow OF
the trained vines, followed by the ply
stefan, the young girl related the occur
rences of the last few weeks.
"pid understand that you were to re
main here some timeI'
"Ncs. | am to be Sir Reginald's secre
tary, amNnuensis and reader. For this
aud helping to amuse him, | am to re
ccive good salary, and will have homt
for the summer"
Cro be CoutinuCdl