The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-08-27
CHAPTER xVI.-(Contlaued.)

EnSss4 LOku Atn IL was SlnIul, out ne new
into passion, and babe me disobey him
on the peril of his everlasting displeas-
ure. Sir, I was homeless, and he was
siekI 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 mep
''Despise you? No! no! only" he
stopped; he was about to say "loVe you,"
but remembering his vow, he added soft
", "pity you."
eyes, you may pity me! Oh, auntie,
auntie! why did ever promise you to
come to this wretched placer" was her
wailing 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 she
merely said: ...-,
"Sir Reginald will be very angry If he
hears of your entrance here! Must he
be toldT'
y 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, and the rest could not be accom-
plished until DIR. Elfenstein had left her.
Turning to him, she said:
"Wlll you kindly tell me how you en-
tered this place? You must leave me
now, going silently as you came"
II will. came through the ruins. I
saw you open a door and reach for a
basket, then instantly entered"
"But surely, fastened 1t aSainT
''You were so agitated, you forgot to
do It. / certainly opened it, without diff
6culty, and crept after you, eager to
solve the mystery of the haunted tower,
which l then, for the first time, began
to connect with your movements. But
you are weary now, so 1 will leave you,
and return as l came"
Giving back the c9ndle, he took her
hand aud was just saying, Good night,
ATiss Nevergail," when suddenly both
stopped short In their walk; both turn
cd deadly pale, as a short, strange, loud
report, close by their ears, startled and
COMPOUNDED them.
Then, to their horror, something darted
towards them, q huge form swooped
past, dashing the candle to the ground,
thus extingulShing 1t, leaving them In
total darkness and gloom.
"'Oh, what il It'll What Is it?' cried
the terrified girl, as she nestled close to
her companion, while he, scarcely realiz-
4ng what he did, threw his arms around
hUr form, to protect her from he knew
not what.
Suddenly a wild, unearthly laugh, or
yGil, foated to them from the other end
Of the corridor, and as It passed, DR..
EIfenstein pressed the girl he held closer
to his heart and laid his cheek against
her frightened face.
"Oh, do not leave mel l shall die! !
shall diew gasped Ethel.
II will not. You are not 30 afraid
now, and thus, close to me, are you,
dear"
mo: not 80 fearfully afraid as was"
Gently stroking her hair, the young
man felt, even In the terror, inspired by
their dreadful position, a feeling almost
Of rapture steal over him, as he held
her thus close In his arms, with hers
clinging 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, and
that he ought to follow up the sound.
"ChildT' he whispered, whatever has
been near US, know by that last cry,
has escaped into tho ruins, through the
door by which entered. That being 30,
must In duty carry you to q place Of
safety, then search around to see what It
could have BEEN"
Ynakautlv than Noaho6 ovap MI lsa
mind. that the ape, Sir Reginald's choice
concealed treasure, had escaped, and that
the knife she had 80 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 it were, a dead
weight again In the doctors arms.
Then another thought came that i'm
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, DR.. Elfenstein
must not examine the premises.
She knew we'll now the meaning Of
that first report. The beast had knocked
down the iron shelves, burst open the
panels, and In consequence q light would
chow the doctor that opening, and the
room beyond. No! he must never exam
Inc this corridor. Nerving herself for
q new task, she said:
doctor, cannot consent to being left
q moment here alonef Nor will con-
sent to your exposing yourself further
tonight. Take me, then, to my room,
and We win lock up this place, and you
can steal softly from the house another
way"
"But, Miss Nevergail, surely this
ought TO be investigated"
'Oh, no, please do not Investigates! I
cannot allow 1t, cannot endure ttp'
As she spoke, a long, deep shudder
passed over her frame, and the doctor,
noticing 1t, knew at once that her nerv-
GUS system could stand no more, there
6ore. felt 1t was best to yield.
shall / not. at least, light the can
dle2"
mo, mol cannot bear Itv' murmured
the poor girl, Mortified at the thought of
what light might reveal
"Tell me, then, which way your room