Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-08-03

We're .4s~--
weedy. This was not to be entered
save by ladder, There was great
central door however. which had a
modern appearance. The approach
was a broad graveled walk. | tied
Lady chloe To tree, knotted the
bridle-reins above her neck TO prevent
her from putting her restless feet into
them, and proceeded toward the door.
OF all the nights this was the one on
which my usually lively imagination
reposed ! was hungry and tired and
dare say my little mare was.
wasn't looking for an adventure:
didn't want any adventure; | wanted
nothing In the world but meal and a
bed. But for the chill OF the night air
1.-THE breath CT the mountain is cold
at night should have been perfect
ly willing to sleep In the open. Down
drawbridge, up portcullis!
boldly climbed the steps and CROPPED
around for the knocker. 1t was broken
and useless, like the lock on the gate
And never a bell could find. | swore
softly and became impatient. People
In Barscheit did not usually live IN
this slovenly fashion. What sort of
place was this?
Suddenly ] grew erect, every fiber
in my body tense and expectant
A voice, lifted in song, a great
penetrating yet sillsily mellow voice. a
soprano; heavenly. not to say ghostly,
coming as it did from the heart Of this
gloomy ruin Of stone and iron. The
jewel song from Faust. tool How the
voice rose, fell, SCARED again with In
toxicating waves OF sound What per-
meating sweetness! I stood there, a
solitary listener. as far as | knew, be-
wildered my heart beating hard and
fast. forgot my hunger.
Had | stumbled upon one Of my
dreams at last? Had Romance sud
denly relented. ass a coquette some.
times relents? For a space knew
not what TO do. Then, with shrug-~
| have never been accused OF lacking
courage II tried once more, by the
aid Of a match, To locate bell There
was absolutely nothing; and the beat
ing of my riding crop ON the panels OF
that huge door would have been as
noisy as a feather. | grasped the
knob and turned ii impatiently, BE.
hold, the door opened without sound,
and stepped into the hallway, which
was velvet black.
The wonderful voice went ON. /
paused. with hands outstretched. Sup
posing bumped into something; u
took step forward, another and an
other; ] swung my crop in half cir
Gle; all was vacancy | took another
step, this time In the direction of the
voice-and started back with a smoth-
cred curse. Bang-ang had run into
suit Of old armof, the shield OF which
had clattered to the stone floor AS |
have observed, ! SIN not a coward. but
| had all | could 90 to keep my legs
which were stirrup-weary. anyhow
from knocking under mel
Silencel
The song died. All over that great
rambling structure not even the reas-
surfing chirp of cricket stood per.
fectly STILL What the deuce should !
do? Turn back? AS l formed this
question In my mind draft OF wind
slammed the door shut. was in for
1t, sure enough; was positive that / |
could never find that door again.
There was nothing to do but wait and |
wait with straining ears. Here were
mysterious inhabitants-they might be |
revoIutionists, conspirators, counter
letters.
Heaven knows how long ! waited.
Soon | heard laugh, light, infec- |
tious, fearless Then | heard . voice,
soft and pleading:
Don't go; in mercy's name, don't |
go, Gretchen! You may be killed."
English. ! had actually heard
voice speak my native tongue.
Nonsense. Betty am not afraid
Of any ghost that ever walked, rode
DR. fioated /"
Ghost 1t may be burgiar,"
"Or Steinbock! We shall find moth
ng.-
Indeed!
Nothing but rat, bugling abont In
ne armor." The laughter came again