Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1909-03-11

of which a sturdy young oak had
forced its way and struggled up to-
ward heaven, distorted but triumph
ant.
Yes" said l, nodding to it in a
friendly way, you have removed
mountains by your faith, and undis-
turbed you shall hold your reward,
even II my steps are thereby some
what disturbed"
| The oakling nodded a rustling re-
ply, and with a somewhat lighter
heart | re-entered the house. The
opened shutters at last admitted
the gray November cleaning, and
by 1t / saw a large. vaulted apart
ment, the floor covered with such
remnants of a rich carpet as had
been spared by mildew, moths, and
mice. The furniture was in heavy
ebony frames, the embroidered seats
and backs of the chairs as furnished
as the carpet, the marble tables
loaded with dust, and various other
articles of rich but cumbrous plen-
ishing all in condition of decay
and dilapidation.
My eye wandered carelessly over
all until it fell upon a little grace
full workstand with low chair be-
side IL, and a piece of unfinished
embroidery upon it. Above 1t hung
the picture of a lovely young girl,
handsome joyous, and proud
At ence the desolatlon of the
place conferred to me about this one
spot, for here, while the house was
yet alive, had evidently been the
dwelling of it's most cherished hopes.
1 looked inquiringly at Esther.
| 4
woman TREMENDOUSLY, 'it is YOU
mother. Here she used to sit
with her embroidery on her book,
as peaceful as a bird upon it's nest,
and as cheerful, tilP'
Hush, Esther!" exclaimed
unconsciously noting as l went the
fanciful arabesque pattern inlaid
with colored woods upon each step.
and so reached the wide landing.
paused a moment and turned to the
left.
THE sunniest rooms are on the
other side of the house, Miss Rosa
lind" said Esther hurriedly, as she
stepped upon the landing.
IL don't care for sunny rooms.
The brightest sunshine comes from
within" returned |, recklessly, as
sprang up the stairs.
Arrived in the bronzed-railed
gallery surrounding the upper hall,
passed quickl, rlong until l reach
ed dim corri3 opening upon the
gallery at rig ugles, and lead
ing apparently the less stately
departments of eastern wing
Down this r hastened,
drawn on by bind instinct, until
1 paused before door closing its
farther end. | laid my hand upon
the latch.
1--WE will look in here first"
said.
ooh, mol for the love of Heaven,
not here, dear BARN! You must
not go in here!" cried Esther,
Fastening after me and trying to
remove my fingers from the lock.
But why not?" persisted 1. "Why
not here? Perhaps l shall like to
make this room my own. At any
rate | will see it"
mo, mol" reiterated my nurse,
mot this, of all the rooms in this
fearful house. 1t is--it is the
Chamber to the East.
"The Chamber to the East, re-
peated l. slowly, while dull chill
went curdling through my veins.
But | shook it Off and cried in
wild bravado, And what of that?
What is there so fearful in this
chamber to the east, that | must
not even look within? What guilty
secret does it hold, what ghost
haunts its space, what blood stains
its floor, to thus give it the pre-
eminence of horror in this horror-ful
old house?"
"She knows-she knows it ALI"
murmured Esther, hoarsely; and as
her hand dropped nervously from
mine, 1 lifted the latch and en-
tered.
1t was a small, octagonal cham
Der, conforming to the shape of the
tower terminating the wing. Op-
posite the door, and looking to the
east, was a great bay window, and
in it stood a little table with flow
er pots upon it. The plants had
long since died, decayed, returned
to dust, and over the earth a coat
of thin, green mould had grown to
grass their graves. 1t was a cheer
full idea, like having toy church
yard in ones boudoir. Some arti-
Giles of female apparel lay scattered
upon the chairs and floor. The lit.
tie rosewood bed stead was bare
of beds and coverings of disarray
and confusion betokening hasty
ldesertion. CHANGING eagerly around
suddenly perceived great dark
stain, lying partly upon the little
Persian carpet, partly upon the
oaken floor. l looked steadily upon
it, and well did know what
brought it there.
l turned to the pale and tremb.
ling woman who with clasped hands
and streaming eyes stood anxiously
regarding me.