Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-10-02
CHAPTER ll.-contlnued.

CHAPTER ii.-contnued.
Had / stumbled upon one of my
dreams at last? Had Romance sud
denly relented. as a coquette some
times relents? For a space | knew
not what to do Then, with shrug-
i have never been accused of lacking
courage II 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 a feather / grasped the
knob and turned it impatientlys Be
hold. the door opened without sound,
and | stepped into the hallway, which
was velvet black
Silencel
The song died. All over that great
rambling structure not even the reas-
surfing chirp Of a cricket, ! stood per-
fectly still. What the deuce should
do? Turn back? AS I formed this
question in my mind a draft of wind
slammed the door shut. | was in for
it, sure enough was positive that
could never find that door again.
Heaven knows how long waited
Soon | heard a laugh, light, infec-
tious, fearless! Then l heard a voice,
soft and pleading:
Don't go; in mercys name. don't
60 Gretchenl You may be killed.
English l 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 a burglar"
cor Steinbock We shall find moth
ing"
Indeed
Nothing but a rat, buging 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
dogsi"
But arrant towards"
So, one of these voices spoke Eng
lisE as its birthright; the other spoke
with an accent. that is to say, by adop-
ton. Into what had / fallen? Whittier
had my hunger brought me? / was
soon to learn.
There came a faint thread of light
on one side of the hail. such as may be
likened TO that which filters under a
door-sil. Presently this was followed
by the sound of jangling brass rings.
A heavy velvet portiere-which /, be-
ing in darkness, had not discovered
oil haa oh Nv ola har a
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 1t
were, one side in darkness, the other
tinted and glowing like ancient ivory.
j honestly confess to you that in all
my wanderings-and they have been
frequent and many never saw such
an enchanting picture or two more ex-
quisite faces. One peered forth with
hesitant bravery; the other-she who
held the candle-wth cold, tranquil
inquiry.
All my fears, such as they were, left
me instantly. Besides, was not with
out a certain amount of gallantry and
humor. | stepped squarely into the
light and bowed.
Ladies, | am indeed not a ghost,
but / promise you that l shall be If
am not offered something to eat at
once!"
Tableaul
what are you doing here?" asked
she with the candle, her midnight
eyes drawing down her brows into a
frown of displeasure.
] bowed. ITO begin with, | find a
gate unlocked, and being curious, ]
open IL; then | find a door Unmatched
and | enter. Under these unusual cir.
cumstances / am forced to ask the
same question of you: what are you
doing here in this ruined castle? II
It isn't ruineh 1t 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
Madam, If have seemed impertinent
pardon me. ! have been in the saddle
six hours. | have ridden nearly &c
miles since noon. | cam dead with
fatigue. At least give me time TO rest
a bit before taking up the way again
/ admit that the manner of my en-
trance was informal; but how was
TO know? There was not even a
knocker on the door by which to make
known my presence to you" The
truth is, / did not want to go at once
No one likes to stumble into an adven
ture-enchanting as this promised tc
be-and Immediately pop out OF IL. Ar
idea came to me. serviceable rather
than brilliant. Il am an American
NY German is poor. l speak nc
French. have lost my way. 1t would
seem; / am hungry and tired. To ride
six miles farther now Is a physical i'm
possibility; and am very fond of m,
horse"
He says he Is hungry, Gretchen,
said the English girl. dropping easil,
into the French language as a vehicl'
OF speech. q was a wretch. I know
but I simply could not halp tellinI
that lie; didn't want to go; and the,
might be conspirators) Besides.
went on the girl, he looks like gen
tleman."