Year: 1867

THE BRIDAL CHAMBER.


In Speaking of what followed, on that fatal night
at Haddon, we experience an almost invinclble re-
pugnancc. And still another sentiment is added
the conviction that but very few readers Will be-
lieve that these things are not the imagnatons OF
romance writer-the unnatural creations OF MS
fancy.


In spite of all, however, we must not leave our
history at this point. The drama must be concu-
ded, and only few words more are necessary


The wedding festival continued until long past
midnight but finally the guests began to dlSap-
pear, and soon none were left but those who hav-
ing come from great distances, were expected to
sleep at Haddon. The last chariot had rolled away
the last laughing cxclamations died upon the alr
and the members of the household, with their
guests sought their couches.
Before very long, the mansion, lately SO noisy
and brilliant, was as still and dark as Il haunted
house, from which all human occupants have fled,
leaving it to the imaginary tenants of darkness.
In this profound and almost painful silence, no
sound was heard but the measured ticking OF the
tall clock upon the staircase; no light was visible
but the spectral gleam of the setting moon, which
poured its light upon the white dial-platc OF the
clock, and made it resemble ghost.


The last rays of the moon were on the ghostly
face, and the black hands were on the stroke OF
three, when sudden and terrible scream issued
from the chamber of Lady Ruthven.


Another tick, tick of the ghostly clock, and
the door of the chamber opens a dark figure rush
es with fearful rapdity down the stairs, door is
heard to open and shut, and past the window OF
the bridal chamber, past the delicate footprints in
the ghastly snow, past the dim arbor where dusky
object stiffens in the freezing winter night past
tree and rock toward the bloody disc of the sink
ing moon, the figure rusheS on and disappears IN
the gloomy night-to be seen no more on earth.


The terrible scream from Lady Ruthven cham
Der aroused the entire household, and in few mo,
ments the passage was filled with halt-dressed
figures who in vain demanded the origin Of the
strange cry.


All that any one knew was that it issued from
the bridal chamber and thither, Lady Brand, who
had hastily wrapped her dressing robe around her
now hurried with throbbing heart


No reply followed her knock at the door, but
hearing low hollow moan, she hastily threw the
door open and entered.


The apartment was illumined by the last rays Of
the moon, and Il few chance CLEANS Of freight.


Mother mothcr'' came in the same hollow
voice. and Lady Brand hastened forward TOWARD
the bed from which the sound proceeded.


Suddenly she felt her bare feet-for in her haste
she had not put on her slppers-touch something
moist.


She stopped, touched the floor, and held up hel
finger 1t was blood.


With wild, awful cry, Lady Brand called fo
lights, which were hurriedly brought They re
vealed spectacle of unspeakabc horror.


Lady Ruthven was extended upon the couch
which it was obvious she alone had occupied-he
head hanging back like wounded birds, the bos
ON of her snowy night dress stainedwith blood an(
this flow of blood was prouse that gushed upol
the floor, and ran along in q narrow stream to
ward the chair before the fire, on which the young
lady had deposited her garments on retiring.


The awful climax to the picture was the hilt o
an antique dagger, clearly relieved against th'
snowy night dress, and apparently buried IN TIT
young lady's bosom.
Lady Brand did not attempt to command hersel
in presence of the spectacle. Stretching out he
arms, she uttered scream so hcart-rendlng that
made the crowd rccoil and had it not been for 81
Rein, who received her in his arms she woul'
have fallen upon the floor


Such was the woful picture which the eyes 0
every one behcld in the bridal chambcr-but tn
cup Of horrors was not full.


As the baronet, who was nearly unnamed, Dor
his wife to d couch, there was heard sudde
knocking at the front door Of the manslon AM
hurried voices cried aloud for admittance.


4 shuddcr ran through the crowd, and every on
listened The wild knocking continued, and sciz
ing flambeau, Sir Rezin-pale, with closely com
pressed lips and heaving bosom-hastened to tn
hall below.


Holding the Aaring light aloft, he threw ope1
the door, and demanded the origin Of the outcry
No reply was given, but the spectacle which greet
ed him, made all words unnecessary.


Two servants of the plantation, CHANGING to pas
the arbor had heard a deep groan, and conquer1n!
their supcrstitious fears, had approached and dis
covered Innis. They had borne him to the 'bi!
house" and as Sir Rein opened the door, he wa
confronted by the dcath-iikc countcnance of thu
Young man, whom the servants supported in thci
arms.


We shall not pause to describe the horror of tn
guests and the household, at this new tragedy. 81
Rein, with the air Of one in dream: babe the ser
wants carry the dying man to a chamber, and the
he hcstcncd back to the chamber OF his daughter


On the threshold of the apartment he suddenl
paused, and hoarSc cry issued from his tremblln
Ips-a cry, not of grief, but Of joy.


g