The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1904-01-14
,erked vsoleatly the rope which huns

the sleepy maid VINO answered the
bell. Miss Anterior has had another
relapse Of fever and has wandered
away from the house while delirious.
They must search the grounds and
bring her back"
"In few moments feet were hurry.
ing, bells ringing. lights flashing
throughout Blackcastle.
Several of the guests, aroused by
the strange sounds, yentured out into
the corridor in various stages of
dishabille.
What is it?" Cuthbert Bracken
cried. what is all this fuss about7"
Cynthia Lennox was nearest him
when he spoke and it was she whs an
swered him.
"Mlss Isle has gone away" she
said. "They are going out to look for
her.
II was the second time she had, al
unconscioIsly, used the name and
showed the bent of her convictions.
miss Lisle!" he repeated. startled.
But she had FASTENED off and did
not hear him.
"Poor thing!" in loud-voiced CON-
passion. Il always suspected 1t. So
It is manifest at last-she Is insane!
This explains the reason OF her wild
statements and accus atlons." -
Perhaps you're right after all"
young Warren said, thoughtfuliy. ut
does look strange, this going away in
the dead Of night"
"Of course I'm right" was the posi-
tive reply. cts the most charitable
view one can take Of the case, too"
Cyril Darlington, coated and capped,
rushed by them.
Hold on-Pll go, tool" Bracken
cried, and vanished Ia his room.
He reappeared in moment and
Joined the small group who stood in
the great. dark hall, each one with a
swinging lantern.
They went out into the snowy night
and the huge doors slammed behind
them.
And those within went croysily
back to bed-all except my lady and
Miss Lennox.
Gould She" the latter cried, as q
sudden thought struck her, have mis-
taken her way and taken the eastern
instead Of the western stairway. II
she went out. she must have done so
Immediately after l left her to go to
your room, and before the servants
had closed up for the night, for you
saw just now that every key and every
bolt and bar was in its place. II she
took the wrong stairway she is still in
the picture gallery, or" her eyes d.
lating and widening with swift, tiding
horror. perhaps she found her way
into the eastern tower!"
~The esatern tower-the eastern
tower!" my lady repeated. passionate
ly, and flung out her hands with ges-
ture OF angry Impotence. "Will you
never stop harping on that, Cynthia
never? How could she-how could
any one enter the place when you
know that old stone door which leads
into 1t has not been opened for years,
and that the key is lost7"
Cynthia brushed back all her bill
Lowry. black hair from her shoulders.
with languid fingers.
"Yes, yes, I dare say you are right.
must be Ill and nervous. cannot
but associate the place with misery.
All my vague dread, my undefnable
superstitious fear, centers there. Do
coming events cast their shadows be-
fore2 II SO, upon my spirit lies the
first faint darkness of tragedy"
lot hn faA ~
moaned, YEARLY. "You will drive me
frantic, Cynthia, with your gloomy and
eccentric fancies."
Together, In silence, they sat the
night out. The snow ceased and slow
iy TO birth shivered sun and dismal
Christmas day.
AS the first chill beam struggled
grayly In nay lady rose from
her seat and came across the big,
shadowy hall, to where Cynthia stood
by the huge. stone-mullioned window.
She still wore the snowy wrapper,
and all her loose black hair tumbled
to her waist in heavy Masses She
was straining her eyes to catch a
glimpse, of returning figure.S She
started at the sound Of the step beside
her.
1T Is morning." she said. "and they
have not comet"
She was looking very thin and worn.
There was not tinge OF her cid, rich
color in the pale olive of her cheek.
Suddenly my lady put two shaking
arms about the girls rigid form and
leaning her white head on her shoui.
der, burst into weak. womanish weep.
ing.
ut is Christmas day, Cynthia--
Christmas day!" she sobbed. ~And II
Is tho first, the very first I VIII not
have my boy!"
Cynthia soothed and caressed her In
gentle fashion. noticing all the time
with a dull pain ut her heart, how
CHASTITY tho aged face looked in the
wan light
"See!" she said, suddenly, and
pointed down the wide avenue to
where the yellow glare OF lanterns be
gan to show among the trees.
They came In sight. q dozen or more
men, walking toward the house In q
tagged, spiritless. struggling group.
"They have not sGund hsri" she
cried. disappointedly.
And they had not.
The day wore on. Cyril Darlington