Year: 1873

! him DaCk, ana carried MIN OH W uer Cllaluoel
to hear what had caused his alarm. He was
50 overcome with mingled cold and fright that
at first she had to occupy herself solely in try
ing to get him warm and quiet again, while
mentally wondering what new iniquity had
been perpetrated to put him in such state
She wrapped shawl around him and made
him set on little ottoman near the fire, until
he was sufficiently composed to give clear
account of what had happened.


1t seemed that for several nights past he
had been disturbed by strange noises after re-
tiring to bed, sometimes like person groan'
ing, sometimes like cat mewing, just outside
of his door. Afraid to investigate these noises.
he had always covered up his head, and after
time they would cease, and he would finally
go to sleep.


On this particular night, however, they had
been more weird and terrifying than usual
and had also continued for longer time. Al
last he heard creaking sound, and ventur
ing to peep from under the covering, saw the
door of closet that was in his chamber
slowly being pushed open from within. His
bed stood between this closet and the chamber
door, and overcome with fright, he had darted
out of bed and rushed into the entry and
partly down stairs from thence he was afraid
to proceed farther, for fear Of encountering
his uncle or Mrs. Ford and covering down
with his face hidden, awaited the coming o.
his aunt, who he knew must soon pass up or
her way to bed.


"My poor child" said Lucy, putting hel
arms around him "they have been frighten
ing you again, as they did before with the
figure you saw in the corridor What can
do to put stop to these wicked practices
How can I find out who it is that is destroy
ing your peace of mind in this way?"


She rose in great agitation, and paced ex'
citedly up and down the apartment.


"IfI could only sleep in your dressing
room," said Claude, II would not be afraid
don't think anything will trouble me in
there"


."And so you shall, dear child: you shall
stay there, and nobody shall know anything
about it," said Lucy, resolutely. 81 am not
going to have you frightened to death With
out trying to prevent it. They may do what
they like to me, but I will protect you to the
best ofmy power.'


She took him into the dressing-room, and
tucked him up comfortably on lounge that
stood there, resolving to say nothing about ii
to her husband, as she was quite uncertain
how he would accept the information. Poor
little Claude held up his face to give her a
grateful kiss, as she bid him goodnight, and
not to lie awake thinking about disagreeable
things"


"Oh, feel safe now," he replied and when
she took parting peep at him before getting
into bed, she saw that he had fallen fast
asleep, with his little pale cheek resting in his
hand, and peaceful look of rest on his face


Her prayers that night were fervent, for the
protection of the innocent and the Illustration
of all malice and wickedness. She felt that
they needed the protection of higher Power
who could discover what was concealed from
human eyes, and in whom alone she could
con6de in time of anxiety, helplessness and
suffering.


1t was almost impossible for her to sleep
that night. Long she lay awake, pondering on
the trying situation in which she was placed
and the dangers and difficulties that seemed
to be gathering more bewilderingly about her
path.


Oh! for ray of light to guide her out Of
the darkness of this labyrinth, or voice Of
friendly counsel to uphold her in time Of need


She resolved, cost what it might, to shelter
Claude, as far as it lay in her power, from
the evil influence that seemed at work against
him, even though she should suffer in copse'
quence.
Love and pity gave her courage, and made
her dare for his sake, what she would not
have dared for her own.


Early the next morning, after Stanley had
gone down stairs, but while Claude was still
asleep there came a knock at her door, and
on opening it she discovered Mrs. Ford.


eff you please, Mrs. Stanley" said the
housekeeper, with searching look, "can you
give me any account of Master Claude?
went just now to his room, to awaken him as
usual, and he is not there, though his clothes
reall lying by his bed"


"Claude is quite safe" said Lucy, composed.
ly. "You need not worry yourself about him,
Mrs. Ford"


81 am only discharging my duty" said the
housekeeper, in voice that trembled with
suppressed passion. "He is under my charge
and, therefore, I look after him."


"Do not give yourself that trouble in fu-
ture," said Lucy. II now consider him under
my charge, and relieve you of all responsible
ity in the matter"


"Will you be kind enough to inform Mr..
Stanley of this fact ?" said the woman, with
gleam of mingled rage and hatred in her
green eyes, "It was he who laid the RESPONSE
bilty on me, and I wish him to know that
do not resign it of my own accord"


"You may leave that to me-" said Lucy.
"I will tell Mr.. Stanley all that is necessary"


She closed the door as she spoke, to prevent
all farther parley. .-.


She had taken a bold step, and her heart
began to beat at the thought of what might
be its possible consequences.


Would Stanley again oppose her wishes,
and use his authority to counteract her plans?


She resolved to say nothing to him on the
subject but wait for Him to broach it first.