The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-08-27
CHAPTER yyI.-tContiuued.)

If begged and prptreatcd him to excuse
me: | told him il was sinful. but he new
into a passion. and hade me diSohey him
oa the peril of his everlasting displeas-
ure. Sir. | was homeless. and he was
sick What was | to do
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,
tendery. 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 despse me-
"Despise you? No. no. | only" he
stopped; he was about to say "love you.
but remem bering his vow. he added soft
ly, pity You
Yes. you may pity me. Oh, auntie.
aunti,. why did | ever promise you to
come To this wretched place. was her
wailiug cry.
Still holding her hand in his, and also
taking from her the candle, he turned
aud led her down the long, steep stairs.
Ouly once did Ethel speak, then she
merely said:
Sir Reginald will be very angry if he
hears of your entrance here! Must he
he toldY'
Il will think it 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, and the rest could not be accom-
pljshed until Dr. Elfenstein had left her.
Turning to him, she said:
will you kindly tell me how you en-
tered this placer You must leave mc
now, going silently as you came
Il will l came through the ruins,
saw you open door and reach for
basket, then instantly entered"
But surely, | fastened it AGAIN.
You were so agitated you forgot to
do Ii. | certainly opened it, without diff
tculty. and crept after you. eager to
solve the mystery of the haunted tower,
whjch | then, for the first time, began
t. connect with your movements. But
you are weary now so | will leave you,
aud return as | came"
Giving back the candle. he took her
MAUI anu WIZ just SdHlHE, Nptu night,
Miss Nevergail." when suddenly both
stopped short in their walk; both turn
Ell 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 extinguishing it, leaving them in
total darkness and gloom.
"Oh. what is it? What is it?'' cried
the certified girl. as she nestled close To
her companion. while he, scarcely realiz-
lag what he did, threw his arms around
her form. to protect her from he knew
not what.
Suddenly a wild, unearthly laugh. or
Yell hoated TO them from the other end
ot the corridor. and as it passed, DIR.
iftensten pressed the girl he held closer
to his heart, and laid his cheek against
her frightened face.
oh. do not leave me! | shall die, !
shall die gasped Ethel.
Il will not. You are not so afraid
now. and thus. close to me. are you,
dear?"
NO; not 80 fearfully afraid as | was"
Gently stroking her hair. the young
man felt even in the terror. inspired by
Jhcir dreadful position, feeling almost
of rapture steal over him. as he held
her thus close i'll his arms. with hers
cinging to his waist. But suddenly
calmer reflections came; he felt this thing
must be seen to: whatever presence had
been near them must be discovered. aud
that he ought 10 follow up the sound.
Child he whispered. whatever has
been near MS. | know 10y 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 il
could have been"
Instantly, then. it flashed over Ethers
mind, that the ape, Sir Reginald's choice
concealed treasure. had escaped. and tn at
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 unbearable
At once, she became. as ii were. a dead
weight again in the doctors arms.
Then another thought came that inn
parted new life. Her oath had been TAX
en never 70 reveal the existence of that
animal, nor of the concealed room. In
order 10 keep this VOW. DR. Elfenstein
must not examine the premises
She knew well now the meaning of
chat first report. The beast had knock ed
down the iron shelves. burst open the
panels, and in consequence light would
show the doctor that opening, and the
room beyond. No. he must never exam
Ina this corridor. Nerying herself for
new task, she said
Doctor. | cannot consent to being left
moment here alone. Nor will | con.
sent to your exposing yourself further
tonight. Take me. then. 10 my room
and We will lock up this place. and you
can steal softly from the house another