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

"Only cautious. But how can you
laugh? rat?" cried voice rather
anxiously. why, they are as big as
dogsl"
But arrant towards"
Sol one of these voices spoke Eng-
llsh as its birthrlght; the other spoke
with an accent, that is to say, by adop-
tion. Into what had | fallen? Whittier
had my hunger brought me? | was
soon to learn.
There came faint thread of light
on one side of the hall, such as may be
lilsened to that which filters under
door-sill. Presently this was followed
by the sound of jangling brass rings.
A heavy velvet portiere-which |. 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!
l beheld two faces in profile, as it
we're, 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-
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 certain amount of gallantry and
humor. 1 stepped squarely into the
light and bowed.
Ladies, | am indeed not a ghost,
but l promise you that l shall be if |
am not offered something to eat at
once!"
Tableaui
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
gate unlocked, and being curious, |
open it; then / 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
it isn't ruined, it is deserted, which
amounts to the same thing" This was
impertinent, especially on the part of
a self-invted guest.
THAT is my affair, sir, l have
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?" / echoed dismally.
Madam, If have seemed impertinent,
pardon me. ] have been in the saddle
six hours. | have ridden nearly 30
miles since noon. / am dead with
fatigue. At least give me time to rest
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 to
be-and Immediately pop out OF it, An
idea came to me, serviceable rather
than brilliant. II am an American.
My German is poor | speak no
French. / have lost my way, it would
seem; am hungry and tired To ride
six miles farther now is a physical i'm.
possibility; and 1 am very fond of my
horse"
He says he is hungry, Gretchen"
said the English girl, dropping easily
into the French language as a vehicle
of speech. Il was wretch, | know,
but simply could not help telling
that lie; didn't want to go; and they
might be conspirators.) Besides"
went on the girl. he looks like a gen
tleman."
I'VE can not always tell a gentle
man in the candle-light," replied
Gretchen, cycling me critically and
shrewdly and suspiciously.
AS for me, gazed from one to the
other, inquiringly after the manner of
one who hears tongue not under
standable.
He's rather nice" was the English
girls comment and his eyes strike
me as being too steady to be dishon
est"
| had the decency TO burn in the
ears / had taken the step, so now
could not draw back | sincerely hoped
that they would not exchange any en-
barrassing condolences. When alone
women converse upon many peculiar
topics; and conversing IN tongue
which they supposed to be unknown
to me, these two were virtually alone.
But, nay dear child" the other re-
turned argumentatively, I'VE can not
offer hospitality to a strange man this
night of all nights, Think OF what is
to be accomplished"
(So something was to be accom-
plished? was right, then. in deceiY-
ing them. To accomplish something
on a night like this. far from habita.
ton, had all the air of a conspiracy
Feed him and his horse, and I'll
undertake to get rid of him before that
detestable Steinbock comes. Resides.
he might prove valuable witness in
drawing up the papers"
(PapersO
Il never thought OF that II viii not
do to trust steinbock wholly" Gretch.
en- turned her searching eyes once
more upon me. l confess that | had
some difiieulty in steadying my own,
There are some persons to whom one
can not lie successfully; one of them