Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-11-04
A MYSTERY OF THE MOOR


had been away for day on busi-
ness. and il was not until | was seated ~
the train on my way home that remem-
bercd | had not ordered conveyance
to meet me at Northwold. As II was Il
three miles walk over the moors to tht
village where ] was staying, and ii WAS
already growing dark, | felt Il Ittie IN
comfortable at the prospect.
| set out bravcly CROUCH, looking for
familiar landmarks to guide me in the
uncertain light. for the path was only
Il winding track, and il ! once Wah-
dered off it ! might be h0peiessly lost
As | walked the charm of the summer
night took hold of me, the strong, sweet
air made me light of heart and foot, and
in dreamy rapture ! watched the crcS-
cent moon as il climbed slowly up the
sky, throwing shafts or silver on the
brown moorland: bat my exultatlon was
suddenly auenched. When ! looked
round again, expecting 10 see the splre
of the village church, | discovered with
Il shock of surprise that my surround
ings were quite unfamiliar.
/ stood still and tried to form an idea
where ! could have wandered, but / wa"
completely ut a loss.
II can only go on and hope TO come
upon something familiar" | said 70 my
self.
But | seemed to wander farther and
farther from the right way, and at last
| stood still and owned to myself, with
n tlrob of fear, that | was lost; that ii
was no use going on. | looked round
hopeleSsly, wondering whether 1 should
be half dead from cold and exposure be
fore morning for there was no place Of
si,nfa
saw II faint light shining in the dis
lance.
1T may be some laborer's cottage"
though, III 20 and see"
Rut as | drew nenrer | saw that the
light came from large house standing
in extensive grounds, which had evident
~ been reclaimed from the moors. After
Il moments hesitation ! unattached the
gate aud walked up the grass-grOwn
drive. As there was a light in the hall
somebody must be about. and under the
circumstances they could hardly grudge
me shelter until the morning: but
pulled The great handle of the bell rather
nervouSly; how the peal echoed through
the silent house; | waited minute in
suspense then ! heard soft footsteps
approaching the door. 1t was opened
slowly and with difficulty. as though the
hands behind it found the heavy wood
hard to move, and Il tall, white-haired
woman thin almost To emaciation. stood
before me.
Il beg your pardon" stammered.
but | have lost my way on the moors"
The piercing dark eyes in the CHASTITY
withered face filled me with vague
alarm. my nerves were already shaken,
and THIS silent, white-hared woman
made ar imposing, almost formidable
figure.
Come in" she said, and the voice
made me SILVER. it was so toneless and
inhuman--like voice from the grave. |
thought. Il did not recognize you at
irst; | thought it might be somebody
else
Wondering what she meant. but afraid
to ask, | followed her into large
room, lit with wax candles. and fur
nlshed in the fashion of Il hundred years
ago. Indeed, there We're some things in
lt which even to my inexperienced eyes
appeared much older than that.
You are cold" she said Il am al
ways cold, though they tell me it is sum.
mer now, but the moors don't change
much i'll winter or summer, and | never
see anything else
| began to explain who was and how
came 10 be wandering about so late
alone.
You will want something to eat and
drink" she said. Il will fetch il for
you."
please don't trouble" replied.
Your servants will have gone To bed:
shall manage very well until the MORN
ing. am grateful enough to you for
taking me i'll.
There is no one in the house but
me, she said; Il always send the serv-
ants away this night of the year: like
n t4n u tnnp "a thnn. httt l no N
easily get what you require | should
feel hurt if You refused my hospitality
This was said with the air of grande
dame, and | could make no farther re-
nunStrancc, but | felt far from com
Portable mt hearing that we two Were
alone together; her conversation and gen
cral surroundings were so strange and
mysterious. Il might have been safer
ont ON the moors," | thought, but it was
too late to retreat now.
She returned very soon with a tray Of
refreshments, which Included small
bottle of Burgundy. | was glad of the
Wine. for | was almost exhausted, and
TO my macIustomed palate il tasted eX-
ceptionally good When | had had Il
couple of glasses my courage returned
and | faced the situation more calmly.
After all. it was evident that my hostess
Was kindly disposed toward me; if she
was little eccentric | must humor her.
People who are much alone get strange
fancics sometimes, and often live more
in the past than in the present.
lit is curious You should have como
here tonight" She said in her dull.
monotououS voice. You must be about
the same age | was then"
Il am -" replied, determined to
he as mattcr-or-facy aS | could. less |
should hc carried away whittier knew
not,
Il Thought 50. That was my age forty
wears ago when it happened was
betrayed into Il gesture of surprise:
should have given her another ten years
at least.
All, You think look older than that
well, il is not surprising When yen
come to the end of everything that mat
tcrs mt only five and twenty. but drag
on existence for another forty years.
you have endured an eternity of time.
Ii ever meet any children out on til,
moorS they look 1T me with frightened
eyes aS though | did not hclon!. Ia The
world. And ! was always fond OF littla
children"
She was not talking for eject tina:
was evident, but rather as though speak
-. a