Year: 1879

hours later. would you mind coming
to bed little earlier tonight? Miss
Archer's maid says her young lady is
coming up at half-past ten; so il you
come little earlier, Miss Friola,
could get your things put away COM
Portable before they come in"


Certainly, Brunton," 1 replied
smilingly. 81 shall be very glad to go
to rest early tonight, and L promise
you not to be later than ten."


How vividly recall the most trifling
incidents of that evening, and all the
surroundings of the scene. Lady Saun-
ton was so much engrossed with her
numerous guests, that had no oppor-
tunity of being introduced to Miss Ar
cher until the ladies returned to the
drawing-room after dinner. Then my
cousin drew me up to Kate Archer,
and after the ceremony of introduction
she left us to sit together on sofa and
so make friends.


felt sure at first we should easily
establish ourselves on friendly foot
ing, but on further acquaintance l be-
gan TO feel for her singular instinct
i've dislike. l could not well define the
sensation but the peculiar strangeness
of her presence and language made me
just slightly uncomfortable.


Coming up to me, as our evening
was drawing to close, Lady Saunton
expressed herself quite delighted to see
me getting on so well with my new
acquaintance. Then telling her of my
promise to Brunton, retreated quiet
ly, before the rest of the party had be-
gun the round of good-nights; but not
before certain person; known to the
world as Major Barrier, but to me as
Cousin Reggy, had managed to escape
from the circle round the piano, and
crossed the room in time to open the
door, and follow me to the foot of the
grand old staircase, to bid me goodnight


Half an hour afterwards, Brunton
had gone, and was in bed, trying to
compose my mind for sleep, when the
door opened, and Miss Archer came in,
candle in hand.


Don't You wish it was tomorrow
night:" was her first exclamation, ac-
companied by a disdainful toss of the
head. 81 suppose Major Barrier is a
great friend of yours."


.'Reggy Barrier is my cousin, You
know" l replied.


"Oh, yes.'' said she. II know, cou-
sinly affection and all that sort of thing.
but it does not deceive me. / used to
to call him 'Reggy' in the old days
when he was my friend and playfel-
| low.


Miss, Archer, then fell into silence,
as she sat ON low chair in front of the
toilet-glass, slowly and idly combing
out her long black hair.


At length everything seemed to grow
still; the gentlemen had evidently re-
treated to Sir Hubert's sm0king-rOom.
which was at an agreeable distance
from the sleeping rooms. There was a
great calm. For two or three minutes
she appeared TO be listening intently,
as though to catch the least sound out
side our room; then having apparent
ly assured herself that all was quiet,
she sprang up and walked to the door.
This she locked, and put the key in the
bosom of her wrapper. Then glancing
rapidly round the room. she jumped on
chair, and seizing the oldfashioned
rope, tied the bell-cord as high up as
she could reach.


| had looked on at these singular
movements in speechless astonishment;
then reseating herself at the toilet
| table, and opening a handsome dress
ing-case, she took from it silver PEN
knife, beautifully cut in antique style.


Oh, how intently / watched the gilt
tering blade going backwards and for
wards Oh the sole of her slipper, as the
slender fingers guided it with monoto-
nous precision. Strap, strap,-on
| went the blade against the leather sole,
growing sharper and sharper every mo-
ment.


Ny patience at last gave way; l
could bear it no longer.


"Miss Archer" / began-and this
time my voice was earnest enough
''don't you think you had better go to
bed ?-we shall be up so late all this
week ~


For moment there was no reponse;
then suddenly drawing herself up, and
looking at me with pair of eyes that
seemed as though they might scorch
you to be near them, she replied slow
ly. and with unpleasant emphasis on
each word, !'Now listen TO me, Mrs.
Barrier that is to be this she said with
intense scorn) you see how L have pu
the bell-rope out Of your reach, also
the poker, shovel and tongs. The key
of the locked door reposes snugly in my
bosom; the window is three stories
from the ground, with no balcony to
speak of. The chimney might do for
sweep, but even he would be half
broiled by that cheerful fire before he
got to the top. There are no sliding
panels, and no convenient little doors
hidden behind tapestry by which to es-
cape; wherefore and therefore L say
you are my prisoner!


In terror, but still in silence, | wait
ed to hear what should follow. with
sure conviction that what had at first
appeared merely nonsensical whim was
really the prelude to direful tragedy.


Il mean to kill you," Miss Archer
went on, more quickly; ''yes-ln spite
of your great eyes and nut-brown hair
j say, L mean to kill you. and this
ancient knife has to do the work"


At this juncture started up, staring
wildly at my foe. Her eyes fell for
moment beneath my frenzied gaze. 1
knew nothing of the vagaries Of insani-
ity, nor yet of the varying phases of
eccentricity or extreme monomania.


"Now | am going to count twenty"
she said; ''and up to that number you
can try to escape; after that, if 1 lay
| bol1 of ,-a,, I shall ont off rour hair