Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-07-22
CHAPTER XIv.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER Alf.-(C0ntinuedJ
No sleep visited her weary eyes until
long after midnight, she was so unhap-
py and so unnerved by all the events OF
the last twenty-four hours. and again and
again ehe prayed that all might go well,
and nothing terrible result from the loss
Of that dreadful knife.
Rising with the alarm of the usual
bell that rang to awaken the household,
the poor girl again commenced to review
the problem that had presented itself to
be worked out the night before. Once she
asked the question::
Should she worry Sir Reginald by tell
ting him the accident that had befallen
her. or should she not?
Before deciding positively, she resolv-
ed to pay the corridor a morning visit,
and by listening, study out, If all was
going on as usual.
This resolve she instantly carried into
effect. Turning once more from her
room, down the corridor, she placed her
ear close to the panel, and listened in
teDtly to hear if any movement could be
discovered within the concealed room.
All was still! Not the faintest mo-
tion was perceptible; therefore, feeling
greatly relieved, she returned, quite sure
that all must be well, and firmly resolved
to say nothing of what had happened,
and while keeping silent endeavor to
drive the entire circumstance from her
own mind, and so be at peace.
The day passed on. as usual. and when
night brought her to. the shelves, she once
more found to her satisfaction silence
reigning, and felt that now, indeed, all
was right. Poor Ethel She little knew
the fearful consequences yet to ensue
from her first blunder.
The third afternoon had arrived, and
nothing had transpired to lead her to
appreh end the least trouble from that un-
fortunate occurrence. She had, therefore,
regained the courage she had lost, and
was fast driving the entire circumstance
from her mind.
This afternoon Sir Reginald had ex-
pressed a wish for music, therefore she
had brought her guitar to his bedside,
and had sung several ballads for his
amusement.
Il think" at length he said. interrupt
Ing her. 'that it grows cloudy. Please
look ont and tell me if shower is ap-
preaching"
Ethel arose at his bidding, and after
examining the sky returned, saying, as
she resumed her seat:
'"There is, indeed. A very black cloud
is lying in the west. which foretells a
hard shower"
''1,hen put aside your instrument and
draw close to me. as / have some pri-
vste Instructions to give you in regard
to a new work to be done tonight. Are
we entirely alone 2"
"We are. Mrs. Freedom left the room
to prepare you some nourishment, and
your wife and niece are in the grounds" !"
replied Ethel. trembling. she knew not
why.
Then listen intently to my instruc
tiOns. If that storm RACES about half
past nine or ten o'clock tonight, you
must visit the Haunted Tower and put in
there"
80. Sir Reginald" murmured the
shrinking listener. ''please do not ask that
of me-"
''You just attend to my orders. and do
what l tell you to do. Never dare dis
pute my will"
The baronet then proceeded to give
minute directions for the lighting of each
light. and also for the movements of
the frightful and hideous image there
concealed. Al its conclusion he remark
ed:
DO you think you understand every
particular of the work l now require to
be doneY"
Il do" replied Ethel; ''but, sir. my
soul revolts from the whole thing
consider it a wicked deception, and l beg
you to excuse ME from undertaking it."
who cares what you think about it!
No one asked your opinion. Do it you
shall, so do not dare to utter another
word against it,"
''Sr Reginald, l have faithfully per-
formed your wishes in regard to feeding
the animal. whose life you value so high
ly, knowing that to preserve the life of
even the least of Gods creatures Is a
duty, but l can see no possible necessity
for striving to impose upon the credulity
of the inha bitants of this quiet place."
THAT, l tell you, is my business and
not yours" was the angry reply. You
are here simply to attend to my work,
and | have we'll paid you for doing so.''
Il know that; but surely l am at lib
erty to point out an error in your wishes
and judgment. Sir Reginald, this thing
that you ask ME to do is wrong, and
entreat you to carry it no further. You
say you have done this yourself for TWEEN
ty-tive years: surely that can answer any
purpose you may have to effect by it..
Please, then, be satisfied, and let this
thing rest""
Il tell you 1 will not" replied the
baronet, fairly purple from rage: "do
you not see that your obstinacy is throw
ing ME into terrible and injurious ex-
element? l command you to obey my
wishes. If you dare refuse, you shall
leave my house this night, even though
know you have not where to lay your
head. Do you hear?"
Il do" murmured the distressed girl
''Will you obey?"
No answer came. the only reply she
could make being burst of tears. Mad
dened by her silence and sobs, the baro-
net started up until. leaning upon his ell
bow, thing he had been expressly for
hidden to do, as it would jar his hip,
he shook his fist violently in her face,
while he demanded in fury:
will you obey"
81 will!' she at last gasped, between