The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-09-27

a husband for his rebellious niece, the
Princess H~iidegarde, finally decreeing
an ugly old widower, ruler OF the neigh
boring principally. Though he had been
in the country for six months the Amer
lean consul had never seen the princess.
While horseback riding in the country
night o~vertakes him, and he seeks accom-
notation in a dilapidated old castle.
While seeking admission he Ia startled
by a 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 i knew
not what to do. Then, with a shrug-
I have e been accused of lacking
courage Il tried once more, by the
aid of a match, to locate a 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. I 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 a cricket! l stood per-
fectly still. What the deuce should I
do? Turn back? AS l formed this
question in my mind a draft of wind
slammed the door shut. l was in for
1t, sure enough; l was positive that 1
could W find that door again.
Heaven knows how long l waited.
Soon ! heard a eaugh, light, infec-
tious, fearless! Then l heard a voice,
soft and pleading:
Don't go; In mercy's name, don't
60, Gretchen! You may be killed."
English! had actually heard a
voice speak my native tongue.
Nonsense, Betty! I am not afraid
Of any ghost that ever walked, rode
or fioated."
Ghost? 1t may be a b%urglar!"
"Or Steinbock! We shall find moth
ing"
Indeed!
Nothing but a 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
a%nxiously. 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-
ton. Into what had l fallen? whittier
had my hunger brought me? / was
soon to learn.
.There-came a 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 janglfng 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 fame
OF the candle. Then l lowered it.
and surrendered for ever and for ever!
l beheld two faces in profile. as 1t
were, n 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-
quisite 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 q certain amount OF .gallantry and
hnmor. stepped squarely into the
light and bowed.
Ladies', am indeed not a ghost,
but promise you that l shall be If !