The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1895-03-16 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

CHAPTER VIII.  The terrible, blood-curdling cries that had so startled Aline had, indeed, suddenly ceased. The mysterious mansion had returned to its strange, brooding silence. Forgetful of her anger against Mr. Delaney in her fear and terror, Mine clung nervously to his arm with one trembling little hand. "Oh ! Mr. Delaney, what is it—that terrible creature I saw yesterday I" she,cried out, fearfully. His dark face was strangely agitated as he turned it upon her wistful face. "Then you really saw it l" he said, almost as if speaking to himself. "Yes, !saw it.. Did you suppose it struck me that murderous blow invisibly l" she questioned, with something like awe. " I had hoped—" he :began, then paused, after his abrupt fashion of leaving sentences on. finished.  "Answer me," exclaimed Aline, in her sharp, imperious young voice. "What was it that struck me with that blood-stained dagger yesterday? What was it I heard shrieking like a lost soul today Tell me I" "It was a ghost," be answered turning his head away. "I do not believe yen," cried Aline. "It was not a ghost. It was something warmed by the breath of life. It clutched me with waim, living fingers, It was strong and swift. Oh, Heaven, bow terrible it was? " she shuddered. " Was it really a human being?" "It was a ghost—a mystery ! I can tell young more," repeated Oran Delaney. And then, with that strong will, which Aline already began to subtly recognize, he changed : the subject of the conversation. "Have you forgiven me for any redness of last night?" he inquired, with a touch of gentleness in his voice. "No," Aline answered, tartly. "I kayo brought you these beautiful flowers as a peace-offering, " he continued, unruffled by her childish resentment. "You cannot refuse them, for I know that you love flowers very dearly," "I shall never love them again," she replied, obstinately. "I shall always remember tint my fondness for flowers brought down all this trouble upon my head." I beg your pardon; it was your fondness for peaches," he retorted, with a slight gleam of mirth. "It you had not come into mi hduse to take luncheon with me, nothing would have happened." "1 should never have come into your garde% even but for the flowers," she replied, offended that he --should remind her of her appetite for peaches. He smiled, and then a subtle sigh drove the ,evanescent gleam away. " Well, -we will not quarrel over the cause," he "The result is the same. I am sorry you will not have my poor flowers. I hoped they would beguile some of the tedium of your illness."  __Re put the basket on a stand near her and sat down.  " Mrs.Griffinhassent metotake care of you during her absence," he said. "But if my presence is disagreeable, Miss Rodney' you can send me away at any moment" Aline inwardly wished that she was brave enough to do so, but she was too nervous and frightened to take him at his word. There was a sense of protection in his presence that she could net forego even to gratify her spite at him. So she lay silently gazing at his dark, stern profile under her long lashes until lie turned, suddenly and caught the curious gaze of the large liquid blue eyes. He smiled slightly as they fell before . _  ..;;-"irou have not said whether I am to stay or go," he said.  - Aline hesitated a moment, then answered, in slow half- angry voice: " Stay." "Thanks. I was afraid you would send me away," he said. "I would, but—but I am afraid to stay here alone," she replied, with spirit.  imi•ismismismomM‘liiA  " 1 cannot follow the bent of my feelings. I am compelled to pursue this course,". replied the mysterious recluse.  'IDo you not in-Ow," she said, "that my friends will be angry with you for keeping me Indihinn m away from them? What if I should die here this dreadful house ? "  "They would never know what fate had over. taken their darling," lie answered, gloomily. Aline stared at -him with wide, terrified liloe eyes. Indignation was rising within her again— indignation added to something like fear.