Year: 1860

90" said her aunt, we shall manage
very vol. Belfield is very elastic"


She smiled as she spoke; but it struck
Miss Stirling that the question was, never,
theIess, puzzling one, SO she took the
first opportunity Of entreating her to take
no trouble on her account a chair by the
fire was really all the accommodation she
cared for, as she wished to be in readiness
to pursue her journey as soon as the coach
could proceed.


We shall be able to do better for Won
than that, Ellen" Mrs Athe-ton answered
cheerfuIly. L cannot, it is true, promise
you state-room, for every bed in the house
is full, and know you will not allow any
one to be moved for your convenience
but | have one chamber still at your ser.
vice, which. except in one respect is com
Portable enough"


Haunted, Of course!" said Miss Stirl-
ing, gaiIy.


"Oh, no, no, it Is not that! | had it
fitted up for my brother William when be
used to be here more frequently than OF
late, and it is often occupied by gentlemen
when the house is full, but as it is detached
from the house, [ have, of course, never
asked any lady to sleep there. till now"


"Oh. if that be all, am quite wlllin Q
to become its first lady tenant said Mis-
Stirling, heartily. So the matter was set
tied, and orders were given 10 prepare the
pavilion for tie unexpected guest.


The evening passed pleasantly; music,
dancing and Ghost stories made the hours
fly fast. 1t was long past ten-the usual
hour for retiring at Belfield d-when Miss
Stirling, under her hostess guidance, took
possession Of her out door chamber 1t
was really pleasant apartment. The
crimson hangingS Of the bed and window
looked warm and comfortable in the fire
light; and when the candles on the man
tie piece were lighted, and two easy chairs
drawn close to the hearth the long parted
friends found it impossible to resist the
temptation f sitting down to have-what
in old days they used to call two hand
ed chat" There was much TO tell of what
bad befaIlen both, Of chequred scenes of
Joy and sorrow, deeply interesting to those
two whose JOY had been passed together
they were mutual recollections Of school
days to lie talked over; mutual friends and
future plans to lie discussed and mid
night rung from the stable clock before
Mrs. Atherton said good night. She had
already crossed the threshold to 20 when
she turned aud said;


81 f. rot to tell you, Ellen, that the
inside bar Of this door IS net very secure.
and that The key only turns on the outside
Are YOU inclined to trust the bar alone, or
will you as William used to do, have the
door lockei outside, and let the servants
bring the KEY in the morning? William
used to say that he found it rather an ad-
vantage 70 do SO as the unlocking of the
door vas sure 10 wake him


Miss Stirling IaugLingIy, allowed that
though generally, she could not quite think
it an advantage TO BE 10 :ked in a room
still she had 40 objection to it OF this par
ticular occasion, as she wished to rise n
seasonabe time


Very well; !; then you hal better not
fasten the bar at all, aud | will send MY
maid with the key at precisely eight
Good night


food night"


They parted, the door was locked ont.
side; the keys taken out; and Miss Stirl-
ing, standing by the window, watched her
friend across the narrow back path, which
had been swept clear Of snow to make a
dry passage from the house to the pavilion
A ruddy light strea,ued from the hall door
as it opened to admit its mistress and gave
a cheerful, friendly aspect to the scene ;
but when the door closed aud shut out that
warm, comfortable light, the darkened
porch, the pale moonlight glimmering on
The shrouded trees and the stars twinkIng
in the frosty sky, had such an aspect of
solitude as to cast over her kind Of chill
that made her half repent having consent
ed to quit the house at all, and let herself
be locked up in this lonely place.


Yet what had she to fear? No harm
could possibly happen to her from within
the chamber, the door was safely locked
outside, and strong iron stancheons guard
ell the window; there could be no posi-
ble danger. So, drawing her chair once
more to the fire, and string it into blaze
she took up little Bible which lay on the
dressing table, and read some portions Of
the New Testament.


When she laid down the book. she .ook
out the comb that fastened up her long,
dark siIken tresses-;n which, despite her
five and thirty years, not silver thread
was visible and, as she srIanged them for
the night, her thoughts straved back to
the old world memories, which her meet
ing with Mary Atherton had revived -
The sound of the clock two was the first
thing tha: recalled her to her present life.
by this time the candles burned down al
mos. IL the socket, and the FIRE was diving
fast. As she turned to fling fresh log
into the CRATE, her eyes fell upon the dress
ing glass, and in its reflections she saw, OF
at least she faucied she saw, the bed cur.
talns move.


She stood gazing at the mirror, expect
ing repetition Of the movement but al
was still, and she blamed herself for allow
| ing nervous fears to overcome her. Still
it was an exertion, even Of her brave spirit
+ 10 approach the BED and withdraw the
curtains. She was rewarded by finding
nothing save the b, d clothes folded neatly
down, as il inviting her to press the snow
Ea aa4 = !.