Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-06-24
CHAPTER TX.

CdAIIEH Ia.
In about an hour a servant maid en-
tered, to say that the room was in read1-
ness. Taking up her bonnet and wraps
the young girl passed through the front
hall into the room adjoining, which she
found exceedingly beautiful. It 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AS soon as the maid had withdrawn,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 thither from the library
for her use since her arrival. The draw
er to which he had given her key OF a
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.
Refastening 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 se-
curity.
Softly drawing the bolt, she looked out
into a small passage that led merely from
her own room to similar door inside
a wardrobe she had seen in the baronets 8.
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 hel
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 II
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
th0 DrOaQ SCa1rCaS0 ana SCeppeO upOL
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. He was az
much astounded as herself it seemed, a,
her unexpected appearance.
"Is it possible that this can be Mis-.
| Nevergail?"
| "It is, indeed; but I can scarcely be
Iieve this my friend, DR.. Elfenstein. How
is it we meet in this unexpected place
| and mannerT
81 was about calling on my patient
Sir Reginald Glendenning, when, instead
of being received by servant, Miss New
ergail comes flying towards me. How i.
it you are here? 1 see by your blacl
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 o.
| the trained vines, followed by the ply
| sician, the young girl related the occur
rences of the last few weeks.
| Did 1 understand that you were to re
main here some time?"
| Eyes! am to be Sir Reginald's secre
| tary, amanuensis and reader. For this
and helping to amuse him, I am to re
ceive good salary, and will have hom'
| for the summer"
(To be continued.)