The Grit-advocate., 1907-10-04

~ husband for his rebellious niece. the
Er:hesss ss HI. Hildegarde e finally decreeing
An ugly old widower. ruler Of the neigh
boring principally. Though he had been
IN the country for six months the Amer
While horseback riding in the country
night overtakes him. and he seeks accom-
mSdation In dilapidated old castle;
by q beautiful voice breaking into song
CHAPTER II.-contInued.
Had l stumbled upon one of my
dreams at last? Had Romance sud
denly relented, as a coquette some
times relents? For a space l knew
not what to do. Then, with a shrug-
have never been accused of lacking
courage Il tried once more. by the
aid Of 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 feather. l grasped the
knob and turned it impatiently. Be-
hold! the door opened without sound,
and stepped into the hallway, which
was velvet black.
Silence!
The song died. All over that great
rambling structure not even the reas-
surfing chirp of cricket! 1 stood per-
fectly still. What the deuce should l
do? Turn back? AS l formed this
question in my mind draft of wind
slammed the door shut. l was in for
1t, sure enough; I was positive that I
could never find that door again.
Heaven knows how long l waited.
Soon l heard laugh, light, infec-
tious, fearless! Then 1 heard a voice,
soft and pleading:
Don't go; in mercys name, don't
go. Gretchen! You may be killed."
English! I had actually heard a
voice speak my native tongue.
Nonsense, Betty! l am not afraid
OF any ghost that ever walked, rode
or foated."
Ghost? 1t may be burglar"
"Or Steinbock! We shall find moth
ing"
Indeed!
Nothing but rat bugling about in
the armor." The laughter came again.
You are not afraid, Betty?"
Only cautious. But how can you
laugh? A rat?' cried a voice rather
anxiously. "Why, they are as big as
dogs!"
But arrant towards"
So! one of these voices spoke Eng
lish as its birthright; the other spoke
with an accent, that is to say, by adop-
tion. Into what had fallen? Whittier
had my hunger brought me? l was
soon to learn.
There came faint thread of light
on one side of the hall, such as may be
likened to that which filters under a
door-sill. Presently this was followed
by the sound of jangling brass rings.
A heavy velvet portiere-which l, be-
ing in darkness, had not discovered
slipped back. My glance, rather blind
ed, was first directed toward the flame
Of the candle. Then lowered it
and surrendered for ever and for ever!
beheld two faces in profile, as it
were, one side in darkness, the other
, tinted and glowing like ancient ivory.
honestly confess to you that in all
my wanderings-and they have been
frequent and many-I never saw such
an enchanting picture or two more ex-
quislte faces. One peered forth with
hesitant bravery; the other-she who
held the candle-with cold, tranquil
inquiry.
All my fears, such as they were, left
me instantly. Besides, was not with
out certain amount of gallantry and
humor. l stepped squarely into the
light and bowed.
Ladies, am indeed not a ghost,
but promise you that I shall be If 1
am not offered something to eat at
once!"
Tableau!
What are you doing here?" asked
she with the candle, her midnight
eyes drawing down her brows into
frown of displeasure.
I bowed. ITO begin with, I find
gate unlocked, and being curious,
open it; then l find door unlatched,
and l enter. Under these unusual cir
cumstances l am forced to ask the
same question of you: what are you
doing here in this ruined castle? If
1t isn't ruined, it is deserted, which
amounts to the same thing" This was
impertinent, especially on the part of
a self-invited guest.
THAT is my affair, sir. l have a
right here, now and at all times"
Her voice was cold and authoritative.
There is an inn six miles farther
down the road; this is private resi-
dence. Certainly you can not remain
here over night"
six miles?" I echoed dismally.