The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1907-05-16

weedy, This was not to be entered
save by a ladder. There was q great
central door, however, which had a
modern appearance. The approach
was a broad graveled walk | tied
Lady Chloe to a tree. knotted the
bridle-reins above her neck ito 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. l was hungry and tired, and
L dare say my little mare was.
wasn't looking for an adventure;
didn't want any adventure; | wanted
nothing in the world but a meal and a
bed. But for the chill Of the night air
the breath of 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
and useless, like the lock on the gate.
And never a bell could l find. i swore
softly and became impatient. People
in Barscheit did not usually live in
this slovenly fashion. What sort of
place was this?
Suddenly l grew erect, every fiber
in my body tense and eXpectant.
A voice, lifted in song! A great
penetrating yet silkily 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, too! How the
voice rose, fell, scared again with in
toxicating waves of sound! What per
meating sweetness! l 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. as coquette some
times relents? For a space | knew
not what to do. Then. with a shrug-
| have never been accused of lacking
courage Il tried once more. by the
aid of a match, to locate bell. There
was absolutely nothing; and the beat
that huge door would have been as
noisy as a feather. / grasped the
knob and turned it 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!
took step forward, another and All
other; ! swung my crop in a half cir
Gle; all was vacancy / took another
step. this time in the direction of the
yoice-and started back with smoth-
cred curse. Bang-angl | had run into
suit OF old armor the shield OF which
had clattered to the stone floor, AS
have observed, | am not'a coward, but
! had all could do to keep my legs
which were stirrup'weary. anyhow
from knocking under me!
Silence
The song died. All over that great
rambling structure not even the reas,
suring chirp of a cricket! | stood per-
fectly still What the deuce should
do? Turn back? AS | formed this
question in my mind draft of wind
slammed the door shut. l was In for
it, 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
revolutionists, .conspirators. counter
feiteTs.
Heaven knows how long / waited
Soon heard laugh. light. infee.
tious, fearlessl Then l heard voice.
soft and pleading:
Don't go; in mercys name. don't
go. Gretchen! You may be killed."
Englishl | had actually heard a
voice speak my native tongue.
Nonsense. Betty l am not afraid
OF any ghost that ever walked. rode
or iloated."
"Ghost2 II may be burglarD
"or steinbockl We shall 6nd moth,