The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-10-07
Copyright, 1901, By w. r. Hears
~ " ii x.,,,A1 Ale ny, hnulI'

nj Ola lEletln p''S'i - % -
grasped my hand as he said these
words. and did not release it until he
had led me up the steps OF ms nome
and begun to assist me TO unfaSten my
great coat
And how are you, my lad?" he con-
.tinued. without giving me time TO reply
ito his hearty reception. why you
nook as brown as a berry. and certainly
none the worse for your fifteen years
!habpbsrn.'' =.
had Just returned to England after
having endured the trying climate OF
india for fifteen years, and had
thastened at once to the old mansion
where had spent so many happy DAYS
in the company of my school cnun
Stephen. and which was, at the time
OF my story, in his sole possession.
a substantial repast was provided
for me in the old dining room, and after
i had done justice to 1t, and the gray
headed butler (who had offciated in my
.father's time) had brought In the wine.
is3tephen and l were soon deep IN con-
yersation on topics peculiarly inter-
testing to me.
had heard how he had married n
beautiful girl, and how fondly he had
!loved her, and how. after three months
ioR married life. she had deserted him.
With whom and whittier she had gone.
no one knew; and her name had be-
come almost a forgotten sound at
STANLEY house.
changed the subject of conversa-
ttion, and tried to make him forget
the unpleasant recollections which my
words had raised. by relating some of
The most amusing adventures that had
befallen me while abroad: but, though
he listened with interest, and seemed
to try to shake off the gloom that had
settled upon his mind, he never quite
regained his wonted cheerfulness dur
ing the remainder of the evening, and
retired early to rest. eXcusing himself
by saying it was his custom
And. knowing 1t would be useless for
me to turn into bed before midnight.
4 put on my hat lighted another cigar.
and strolled Into the grounds to get a
breath OF fresh air.
It was a fine summer night The
moon was shining brightly from clear
starlit sky, 1 knew every foot OF the
ground. and visited many of my favor
ste haunts; and 1t must have been after
eleven o'clock before / begin to think
OF returning.
As drew near the front door my
attention was attracted by the sudden
appearance OF man bearing Il lam
term who had evidently heard my foot
steps, for he had stopped and awaited
my approach. AT first l thought hi
!
ing nearer, was surprised to find Il
was Stephen. / FASTENED to speak t.
him, when, to my great establishment
after glancing at me eagerly. he turned
away without any sign of recognition
and hurried away in the direction OF
the deserted west wing.
u My first intention was to call out
after him: but retraced my steps, en-
tered the house and was soon In bee
and asleep,
The next morning when l came dowr
stairs. found Stephen already in the
S breakfast room awaiting me. He was
standing with his back to the fire.
Good morning, Alf," he said smiling
In his cheerful manner. You are al
exception to most lovers of late hours
See
Yes" I replied; Il sleep soundly ant
therefore rise early"
These late hours seem to me a very
cupid custom, and one which | coulG
never cultivate. I think, my boy, thai
you would have been much wiser IL yol
had turned In when l did. and slept un,
I'll morning.
Why, daresay was in bed before
you
.in bed before me- he repeated
with q puzzled look. What do yo,
Is mean?''
Ismean just what say--that 1 was
In bed and asleep before you We're
unless; you finish your rest and rise be
fore midnight"
You must be Joking All" he sait
& &ncredulously. II was In bed by nine
o'clock. and was up this morning a
six
81. Surely you must be mistaken
Stephen, for met you or your double
at the top of the avenue last night a.
! was returning to the house."
Impossibie!
Indeed | did. I would have spoke,
to you. but you hurried away. and
thought you had seen me and wishet
SOShe Alone
It could not have been me. I wa
never out of the@flouse after sever
o'clock. =.
All that day l was haunted by tn
recollection OF what / had seen on tn
I previous night and of Stephens denial
j had heard singular stories OF his be
4 ing q somnambulist before l had Ief
England, and could not help woninrin,
! IL he was still addicted to freaks O
that kind. but as had never see,
: aim walk In his sleep, and as had onl,
half believed the tales mad been told
was inclined to accept this explana
ton as a solution of the problem
However was determined to solve til
mystery.
As soon as ail We're III bed. therefore
IN the night following that on which
had arrived at Stanley house, 1 aSail
went out into the grounds. determined
8Ssaf met the mysterious person whom
seen on the previous night, to folloI
him and discover who he was.
walked to and fro until past mid
night, and was about ito give up m
quest as hopeless and return to tn
house. when | heard a footstep on tn
damp gravel walk approaching.
drew back into the shadow Of the tree
and peered forth into the darkness, 70
at that moment thick cloue shut gu
3 the light Of the moon.
Nearer and nearer the footsten
came, and at length the glimmerin
A Of the lantern shone out in the dark
ness The man bearing the light wer
up to the principal entrance of the ives
4 wing where he paused, and a momer
later heard a key shoot back til
Il heavy lock; the next instant the ligl
and the man had disappeared as til
AZ door closed behind them.
From the second landing the,
f opened q suit OF apartments which:
remembered had been called the stror
Sss rooms because they We're In the vel
heart Of the building, had few vii
Il AloAas, and only one doorway for Ii
gress and egress. The heavy oak do
8 that opened into these rooms -four
was ajar and a bright light stream,
out between the opening.
To my great astonishment l distinc
w heard q womaTis voice, in fearful a
cents, saying.
Oh, if YOU love me-. deliver me fro
this place. w hat have done that
should be forced to bear this punis
anent Have 4 not loved with a tt
woman s love? Speak to me. Do i,
look at me with eyes SO CLASSY til
they seem to see not. Give me O
Z word, that may hear you as the sar
Stephen that you We're before this fea
full fnaiady overlook you Let i
gain see the light of heaven and t
faces of my friends. N
crept softly nearer the door, ii
got into position from which i cou
partly distinguish the occupants OF !