Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-02-18
CHAPTER LII.

AI1AI IlN IL.
How | managed to descend the tree
without falling | cannot understand; my
hands and limbs shook as with a palsy,
and my head swan as with deathly
sickness. When | reached the ground
I was so faint that Josiah had to support
me for several seconds. When | recov-
cred. he helped me over the garden wall
The whole way. Josiah never ceased
talking; but l was too bewildered to heed
his words. | was only reused to atten-
ton when. upon hating before an ex-
tremey gloomy solitary looking build
ing. my companion cried. Here we are"
We plunged down narrow passage, Jo-
siah presented small slip OF paper to
man who stood behind a half-door, and
we entered the pit of the theater.
1t was really n Hall of Dazzling Light
The play. | have since ascertained, was
Shakspeare's Romeo and Juliet" Sit
ting in that little country theater. wit
Messing what was, perhaps. only a third
rate provincial performance, a new world
was opened to me-the glorious world
Of poetry ami Imagination. trembled
! with n dazed delight at the soft beauty
Of the love scenes; my heart swelled with
/ kindred fire at the passionate outbuists:
and sobbed at seeing the lovers die in
one anothers arms. 1t was no fiction to
me. but a reality, beautiful almost be-
yond realization. yet painful almost be-
yond endurance.
When the curtain fell, I fell with It
from my Elysian heights. With a SILVER
| awoke to the dull realization Of myself
Ny first action was to turn TO Josiah,
and grasp his hand in silent gratitude
4 iah 10
\ wished to get away now. to dream over
what had seen. Josiah had to 20 be-
hind the scenes to get the proof OF the
next nights BILL and l waited outside
the stage door until he returned. In a
few moments he came oHt in great
furry.
Look here, Silas," he said; II can't
go back with you, | must get home di-
rectly, or there'll be an awful kick up.
Come along; I'll put you in the road, so
that you can't miss your way"
shall never forget the sense OF desc
lation that fell upon me when l found
myself alone in the street. All the direc-
lions Josiah had given me vanished in
an instant from my memory, and | stood
helpless. not knowing which way to turn.
l was in the outskirts of the town, 1t was
nearly eleven o'clock, and not a soul was
about. | walked straight on, fervently
hoping that it might be in the right direc-
ton.
Finally | was In the middle of a long
street. one side OF which was occupied
by ordinary houses, hut that on which
found myself was distinguished by a
line of vast. gloomy looking buildings.
turreted walls hung with ivy, and broken
/ / coli frtta 1T ii.
piles of masonry that lowered above me
| was standing right before an archway
of grand Norman tower. / walked tim.
, idly beneath its black, vaulted roof, to
, the iron gate at its further end, and peer
ed at the line OF crumbling ruins that
rose among the trees and shrubs, white
and CHASTITY, In the moonlight.
As l stood thus, l heard rustic
Chilled with sense of fear. | turned
quickly round. Through a rent In the
wall, many yards above my head cam,
a broad ray OF white light. As l turned
Il was falling upon an object that fasci
mated my gaze. II was the head anC
face Of a beautiful girl but so pale, 81
I rigid, that, for an instant thought they
were those OF a statue. She was crouch
Ing in the deep shadow OF the blacl
walls. For a moment / stood spell
l bound, my eyes fixed upon hers. She
, was the first TO break the spell. Rising
4 from her crouching position, she timdl!
$ advanced towards me. and laid small
white hand upon my arm. The toucl
D thrilled me like an electric shock.
D You will not hurt me, will your sh'
+ said In a soft. pleading voice. She VA
q a slight. delicately formed child, abou
y my own age. my own height, clothed il
D a dark gray dress Her features were 81
e delicately moulded that they SCENE,
$ rather those OF a wax doll than Of
r human being. except in their expression
e which was full OF soul. Her eyes wer
p wonderful; l have never seen eyes lik
e them-they were so sad. so distracted
= In their far-of gaze; and as she Hxe'
! them upon mine, they thrilled my yer.
= soul.
Hurt youg' l echoed. l knew no
;. what to say; my brain was too confused
z Can you tell me the road to tn
}, cityT' she asked. In the same low voice
= l answered that l had no idea-that
had lost my way. and knew not where
T was.
J, what part do you want?" she asked
! with a look OF deep interest.
!. II want to get to LittlS Bethlehem
+ Chapel; then I can find my road" an