The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-07-28
CHAPTER xyr.-fcoutInued.l

on the peril of his everlasting displeas-
ure. Sir, | was homeless, and he was
sickl What was / to DOR
"Forgive me! You poor little girl,
was fast and cruel In my judgment. You
were, indeed, obliged to execute the vile
plans of the baronet There" added he,
tenderly, as he drew her hands from her
face, and with his handkerchief wiped
away hertears; weep no more; you
were not to blame. Child, give me your
hand In token Of forgiveness"
"Then you do not despise meT'
"Desplse you7 No! mol | only" he
stopped; he was about to say 'loye you"
but remembering his vow, he added soft
", "pity you"
"Yes, you may pity me! Oh, auntie,
auntie. why did ever promise you to
come to this wretched placer was her
waIllng cry.
Still holding her hand In his, and Olso
taking from her the candle, he turned
and led her down the long, steep stairs.
Only once did Ethel speak, then shs
merely said
"slr Reginald win be very angry II he
hears of your entrance hersl Must he
be todT
II will think 1t over and let you know
tomorrow. You must sleep tonight and
30 recover from this nervousness"
They soon reached the bottom stair,
and entered the corridor. Then Ethel
remembered that her work was but half
done, aud the rest could not be accom-
pished until DIR. Elfenstein had left her.
Turning 10 him, she said:
"Wlll you kindly tell me how you en-
tered this placsi You must leave me
now, going silently as you came"
II will. came through the ruins.
saw you open a door and reach for
basket, then instantly entered"
"IIut surely, fastened II againf"
"You were so agitated, you forgot to
DO Il. | certainly opened It, without diff
fculty, and crept after you, eager to
solve the mystery Of the haunted tower,
which then, for the first time, began
20 connect with your movements, But
you are weary now, so l will leave you,
and return as | came"
Giving back the candle, he took her
hand and was Just saying, Good nights
Miss NevergaiI," when suddenly both
stopped short In their walk; both turn
Cd deadly pale, as short, strange, loud
report, close by their ears, startled and
confounded them.
Then, to their horror, something darted
towards them, huge form swooped
past, dashing the candle to the ground,
thus extlnguishIng Il, leaving them In
total darkness and gloom.
"Oh. what Is III What Is ltT' cried
the terrified girl, as she nestled close to
her companion, while he, scarcely realiz-
ing what be did, threw his arms around
hur form, TO protect her from he knew
not what.
Suddenly q wild, unearthly laugh, or
yell. Goated to them from the other end
OF the corridor, and as II passed, DIR,
Eifenstein pressed the girl he held closer
TO his heart, and laid his cheek against
her frightened face.
"0h, do not leave mel / shall die!
shall dleP gasped Ethel
II will not You are not so afraid
now, and thus, close to me. are you,
dsarT
"No; not so fearfully afraid as was"
Gently strokng her hair, the young |
man felt, even In the terror, inspired by |
their dreadful position, feeling almost
of rapture steal over him, as he held
her thus close In his arms, with hers
eiInglng to his waist, But suddenly |
calmer reflections camei he felt this thing
must be seen to-; whatever presence had
been near them must be discovered, and
chat he ought to follow up the sound
"ChlldP he whispered, whatever has
been near Us, | know by that last cry,
has escaped into the ruins, through the
door BY which entered. That being so,
/ must In duty carry you to place Of
safety, then search around to see what II
could have been"
Instantly, then, Il flashed over EthePs
mind, that the ape, Slf Reginald's choice
concealed treasure, had escaped, and that
the knife she had so carelessly given him
had done the deed. He had cut his way
out. Oh, the terror this thought thrust
into her heart was almost unbearablel
At once, she became, as II were, dead
weight again In the doctors arms.
Then another thought came that Inn
parted new life. Her oath had been TAX
en- never to reveal the existence of that
animal, nor OF the concealed room. In
order TO keep this vow, DIR. Elfensteln
must not examine the premises.
She knew well now the meaning Of
that first report. The beast had knocked
down the iron shelves. burst open the
panels and In consequence a light would
show the doctor that opening, and the
room beyond. Mol he must never exam
Inc this corridor. Nerylng herself for
q new task, she said'
doctor, cannot consent to being left
a moment here alonel Nor will con-
sent to your exposing yourself further
Tonight. Take me, then, to my room,
and we will lock up this place, and you
can steal softly from the house another
way"
"But Miss Nsvergail, surely this
ought 10 be investigated"
.Oh, no, please do not investigated
cannot allow 1t, cannot endure tp
As she spoke, a long, deep shudder |
passed over her frame, and the doctor,
noticing II, knew at once that her nerv-
Gus system could stand no more, there
fore, felt 1t was best to yield.
"Shall not, at least, light the can
dler'
"NO, mol l cannot bear itr' murmured
the poor glrl, nOrriueu At tne tnOukht OF
what a light might reveal.
"Tell me, then, which way your room
lies, and l shall carry you thither at
Oncew
Straight! Just beyond the door by
which you entered, through a passage
way, my room lies opposite Its door,
che returned, "But, indeed, doctor, l
can walk, II you will only let me hold to
your arm. l would rather.
"Well, be II sor returned the man, re-
leasing her, yet still retaining her hand,
which he drew under his arm.
When they neared the door of the ruin,
however, Ethel felt a strong current Of
air upon her cheek, which revealed the
fact that II stood wide open, and in
stantly : deadly fear Of the horrible
creature that had escaped, being still
near. seized her, and again she shrank
closer to her friend, while her faltering
steps told Of departing strength.
Without a word. Earle Elfsnsteln lift.
ID her In bis arms, and 50 passed ipts the