The daily Alaskan., 1914-01-26


 arose to send her message to Robert.
 Then one morning as she fingered near the highroad She heard the rum ble of Che approaching coach. and, wrapping her ueufred cloak closely about her. sh6 sped into the road and held up her nissiYe together with silver coin. 4 Dostllion swOoped from his saddle and sBatched both coin and letter, and tue coach thundered on to- ward London. -e '.,9
 The wedding had been set for Christ mas evening, and the preparations for the bridal and the YuieHds feast went on ap9ee. Christmas eve dawned gray and cold. Lady Rosamond crept around In her old brown velvet gown, . sorry little figure, 'T
 She wandered aimIesgly from room to room, and then at twilight she slip ped into a warm cloak, called her wo- man and stepped into tue fast gather ing auSf, 1 b7lF 7a,I iz-"
 She walked slowly down the avenue beneath ths naked boughs of the oaks. Near Ethe gate a Grone was gathering fagots, her wild, gray lockS stream ing in the wind.
 '8ay your lsdyship'8 wedding day be bright" she cackled shriIly, with a courtesy. ..--
 'erhans you, GoOdy," murmured Lady Rosamond sadly, drawing a coin from her pocket. '''.' '
 As her hand touched tue wsman's she felt a firm. warm pressure that sent the blood singing to her heart A glance from ardent dark eyes spar king beneath the gray thatch of wig hurried the bIushes back to her pale cheeks, and, with ah apprehensive glance at ber. handmaid, she thrust 6 twisted note into her pocket The yawning abigail was gazing Idly across the valley and Btarted as her young mistress pidcked at her sleeve. The crone had IhoBbied sway and the two women walked swiftly back to the castle. ..... '-E
 A few minutes later Lady RosamOnd Was reading the folded bic of paper 7froRt her oI0Vesas hand She sobbed over the precious words of love and hope that 1t contained, and her flag ging spirits revived with the knOwl- edge that 1ll worId Dc well with her, for one unbldden guest kept watch be- yond tho castle gates until the lime appointed, h-'A S5.' D..
 Tho next day the castle resounded with mirth and iollity. sRTory odors erept up from the Kitchens, where the gfoanIHg spits slowly turned under their toothsomsT burdens. There was a stirring and mixing of pasties and sweet cakes, q bustEhg to and fro from the musty ceilarB with certain ancient, eOBTebbed bottles. Huge ham psrs of fruit and game blocked the passageways, and q avast army of serv- ants worked and idled. laughed and Erumbied- F' .ss. ''-'t'e f-
 The Eooms were garlanded with holly and mi5tIetoe, and Lady Rosamond 1itted gayIy among her guests and ap- peared 50 happy and 30 gracious to all chat Broadmeadow felt that he might now venture within her pres ence. Fer kindly greeting sent his rusty old pulses beating to youths time as no handed her to the banquet hall, where dinner was spread at noon. At d1Bk'iE was showing heavily, and within doors the fun grew fast and furious. The Bsons paved gaIleriea echoed to flying feet as youth and beauty played old games beneath the grim portraits of generations of Dour. leys. --,l-s 'H.
 Some one proposed 6 game Rt hide and seek. and in a moment ono was blindfoldei and tho rest scattered here and Eher6 0veg tho great castle. One by ono they wero discovered and emerged from thelf hiding pIaces-all 5a7e Lady R6sarond. Tho bride was missing. .''-''.
 .hH As time passed amused curiosity gave way to Rnxisty.a Ono had seen her disappear behind athe hind's head tapestry on the staircase landing, but diligent search revealed nRught but the the oaken panels of tho wall. shsswas not within her rooms nor anywhere that searching eyes could discover.
 Reluctantly they trailed into the great hRIf and told the earl, who, with the ancient bridegroom, stiIl drank be- fore the are.er Be tswore saTagely as he listened. and a great fear showed itself in his face as he Nmped up the stairs followed by the company. Broad meadow stumbled in tho rear On the staircase landing Lord Dourley tore aside the hind's head tapestry and at a touch the oaken panels slipped aside and revealed | dark opening. A gap ing Iackey stepped forward with can ale, and che silent company followed their muttorihg host downla little wind Ing stair into th5 chapel, where single candle on tho altar sh6nea like-a star. Near an open door that led into the yew walk lay something white, and some one brought forth into the can delight dainty lscs keEchie& The earl burst Into angry laughter as he raUpaT iH fine doorway. s-