Year: 1872

Walking Ill ul8nC ana sleeping Ol


the ground, for the nights wer'
growing cold, when I reached I
| house Of somewhat different ap
pearance from any of the others


it was larger, had some little pre-


tensions to taste, and stood som'


distance back in a neat garden.
Calling to mind several instances
in which, after continued disappoint


ments, perseverance had met will
its reward, I opened the gate, walk


ed up the footpath, and knocked
gently at the door, as kind O
prelude to more forcible appeals
No other, however, was necessary
for the door was Immediately open


ed, and, before I could speak, 6
finger was laid Oh my lips, the door
was shut with me inside it, by


thc-by-and gentle voice said


"Now 60 up quickly to bed, there's


a good boy; there's a light in your


rOom."


Il was about to expostulate, but


being again checked, l silently


followed my guide upstairs; and


when she in playful manner push.
ed me into a room and shut the


door, I offered no resistance.


BY the light of a candle burning


on the drawers I could see that
the room possessed a comfortable
bed; throwing myself upon which
began to ruminate upon the mysteri.
GUS circumstances in which I had
played SO ridiculous a part. I was
at first inclined to 60 out and rouse
the house, but, rejecting that I was
very tired, and had got bed which
l might lose by making a disturb.
ance, and being influenced, more
over, by a strong desire to 60 with
the tide, aRd sec the end Of so
strange an adventure, l fastened
the door, arndressed, put out the
light, got into bed, and fell asleep
almost as soon as my head touched
the pillow.


When l awoke the next morning
it was some time before I could
recollcct where l was; and when at
last l remembered the circumstances
of the previous night, my reflections
were not of the most agreeable char
acter. l was at first inclined to get
out Of the bedroom window; but,
finding on inspection that this would
entail a drop Of about fifteen feet
into a water tub, I abandoned the
idea, jumped into bed again, and
tried to hit upon some better plan.


l was reused from my meditations
by a tap at the door, and pleasant
voice outside saying, care you up,
Charlie dear? Papa is down."


"Charlic dear!" I repeated in
'How does she know
my name? Why is she so loving?
What on earth does it all mean?"


There was no help for it however;
SO got out of bed, dressed, opened
the door, went down stairs, and
Here came the question - what
should I do now? Two doors were
on my right hand, two on my left,
and the front door stood before me
which should open? My first
thoughts were decidedly in favor of
the front door, but when consider.
ed that l might be secn-for I re-
that several windows
faced the front garden and pic
tured to myself the humiliation of
being brought back, as it were, to
explain my suspicious conduct, the
idea was not SO promising.


Hesitating thus, I heard the same
voice that had summoned me before
call: awe are in this room, Charlie;"
so screwing up my courage I Iopened
the door and entered a small but
pleasant and most tastefully furnish
ed room; at table in the centre of
which party were seated at break
fast. 1t consisted, firstly offs young
lady who sat at the head of the table
and presided over pot of steaming
coffee. In her l fancied recogniz-
ed the nymph who had given me
admittance on the previous night,
aud to her ascribed the voice which
had caused me so much surprise. On
one side sat somewhat elderly
gentleman, probably her father, and
on the other side a lady about the
same age, whom I judged to be his
wife; at the foot Of the table stood
4 vacant chair, which in my mind
appropriated to my own use; con-
graduating myself that l was eve
IDENTIFY known, though quite in the
dark as to when and how we be-
came acquainted.


Meanwhile the faces, which, when
| entered, appeared calm and self
satisfied, had assumed somewhat
different expressions. All three
looked at me with surprise depicted
on their countenances, as if expect
ing some explanation for my appear
ance amongst them.


Feeling that explanation was
rather due from me, I returned their
look of wonder with interest, but
said not a word; so the old folks left
off looking at me, and turned their
attention towards their daughter,
who held down her head, blushed
deeply, and seemed strongly inclin-
ed to cry.


Restraining herself, if indeed she
had contemplated such course, she
composed her features, but still kept
her eyes bent down and said not a
word, while her father thus address
ed me-


"Good morning, sir"


"Good morning, sir" said I.


81 don't know, SIR" he resumed,
"to what we are indebted for the
pleasure of your company so early
in the day."


"You are indebted for that plea
sure, sir" said I, with some indigna-
ton, "to your own kindness in
atfording me a bed last night; for
which l beg to thank you. If my
presence here is unwished for, as it
appears to be, I shall be glad to
relieve you"


"Stop a bit!" interrupted the old
gentleman. ~ gave you no bed!
Who are you? And what in the
world is the man talking abOut?''