Year: 1875

window, not feeling disposed to go tt sed, and gazed out upon the landscape which appeared so beautiful in the broad light of the full moon.

 l sat for some time thinking, first upon one subject and then another-now upor my regret to leave my cousins, who had been so kind and hospitable to me now upon my work, to which I was so soon to return-when my thoughts returned to the old Hall, and to Robert Fether- stones remarks about it.

 did not feel at all tired or sleepy, and tue beautiful moonlight suggested to me that it was just the time to pay visit to the Hall. I hesitated little at first, be- fore decided, being partly afraid of dis turbing the household if went out, and partly ashamed of my own curiosity but at last I made up my mind to go, and putting on thick greatcoat as protec- tion against the night air, and not for getting my cigar-case, I quietly opened the door. I descended the stairs, and passing through the hall, with some little difficulty undid the fastenings of the front door, and with some misgivings as to the propriety of leaving it unlocked until my return, which I could not, however,

 

 after l had lighted cigar, walked rapid ly toward the Hall.

 About ten minutes brisk walking and climbing over fence, I got into a field, and wandering round to the front, calmly prepared myself to finish my cigar and enjoy the prospect.

 And now, for the first time, asked myself why I had come. Did I expect to see anything supernatural Did I believe the old Hall was haunted? I ridiculed the thought to myself no, I had simply come to see it as sight to be seen, and because my cousin had talked and tested upon it.

 But whatever had been my object in coming, had enjoyed the walk, and was really enjoying the view of the Hall, now that 1 WAS there. l wondered at the taste of my uncle, as I contemplated the pile in front of me, in preferring to build a new house to restoring the fine old mansion. I speculated, too, upon the possibility of preventing it falling far ther into decay, and half thought I would talk to my cousin about attempt ing, at any rate, to preserve the old chapel, the walls of which stood appar- ently as firm and solid as when first reared by the builder. I lost myself for a little in picturiDg to myself the in fallen in and filled it with rubbish, and marveling what sort of services used to be held there, and what had become of the old vessels and altar-whether they had been removed or whether they were buried under the rtlins-and gazed and wondered about such matters until my cigar came to an end, and I was aroused from my reveries by feeling chilly through standing so long in the night air.

 fI shall catch my death of cold," I said to myself, eff I stay much longer {; just one peep into the chapel, and then home to bed" And I cibmed the fence against which had been leaning.

 l had advanced, however, but step toward the Hall, when, raising my eyes, could have been positive that I saw a form, shadow, at any rate, pass one of the windows of the first floor, full upon which the light of .the moon was falling at the time. The next moment there could be no mistake in the matter, for I distinctly saw, not a shadow, but two persons-one man, the other woman standing inside the Hall, looking out from the window.

 I drew back to the fence, and hesitated what to do. Who could they be, and what could be their object there? was my first thought. My next-and I confess that cold thrill ran through me at the time IVhat could they be? as I re- msmbered that the whole interior of the house had fallen in, and that, consequent ly these forms had nothing to stand upon, and could net be mortal.

 The two forms, as I must call them, seemed engaged in fastening something to the window-sill; and then, after brief pause, the male figure passed through the opening, and began slowly to de- scend to the ground by means of what appeared to me rope, while the female remained at the open window, steadying 1t. As I stood ill sort of dream, watch ing them, suddenly perceived third form, which came from side path in the garden from amid the thick shrubbery, and advanced rapidly toward the spot. Fro warning cry, which, despite my fears, burst from my lips, could be UIllS OI OI WlliU- ever it was, deliberately stepped behind the form which was descending by the rope, and just as itreached the ground, plunged a weapon into it's back.

 Awake or asleep, sane or mad, l saw all this distinctly; saw also the man, as I must term him, release his hold of the rope, stagger, and then fall prostrate for ward on the gravel path saw the mrlr- derer lean over his victim, and, turning the body over, gaze into the face saw him suddenly start back with @ gesture of despair and dismay, and, after mo- ment of apparent irresolution, turn and rapidly disappear again in the shrubbery. All this beheld, not knowing what to think, or what to do, with strange dazed feeling upon me, more of bewilder- ment than fear, wondering what would happen next.

 And then perceived the female figure also descend the rope, and, reaching the ground, rush to the spot where the form of the murdered man lay, falling on her knees by his side. For second she seemed to try to speak to him, and then, suddenly rising, shriek after shriek pealed from her and re-echoed through the old hall with strange weird sound, which changed my bewilderment into absolute terror. But how shall I describe my feelings when saw her turn to me, and, apparently for the first time becom, ing aware of my presence, rush towards me, still uttering cry upon cry for help

 l do not know how I retained my senses sufficiently long to observe her ap pearance, but yet can picture her now as she advanced towards me; fair young girl, apparently almost child in years, with light golden hair streaming in wild confusion all round her countenance, which, distraught as it seemed with griei and horror, I could yet perceive was most beautiful; with hands clasped be- fore her as though in supplication-handf upon which, in the moonlight, could see the blood frem the murdered man. as