WILDMOOR HALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume VII, Issue 264, 3 May 1889, Page 2

WILDMOOR HALL

(Pall Mall Budobt.) OHAPTERJ. ; (Continued) After dinner, Miss Savill usually ' read herself to sleep u.itil supper time, and as she liked to be alone it

Was 4hen that I seized the o portonity and asked Maud to con with me and view the treasure!. Lighting ft shaded lamp whi< east a downward light upon tl Waek coffer, I turned the Key ai lifted the heavy lid. Maud sat do« on a writing stool, and one by one piled the things upon her lap, whi •he said, •• How lovely ! " and h< eyes glistened with pleasure, as drew forth the drinking cup an stooditupon the tale, remarking jokingly, that if she cou d find tool . ior it upou her lap she would b Worth her weight in gold. "What a terrible temptation i would be to some people to know c all this wealth within their reach ! she said, thoughtfully. " Yes," I answered, " but as keep the key they would have t

throttle' me hefore they -got it— l mean, that is, if thi yea broke in." "It's quite dangerous to live here, I'm sure " she sard," mfh a little shiver. "Oh! Id^n't tnow," x replied •with a laugh; " I'ni not a souni sleeper^ and I a loaded breech loader, by nvjrbedsi|e|^ji .burglan come I .promise them^aiv warm recep tion. Still, I hadj||^ath*«r hav< thps things remove|^# a- place' o greater security." E ■ She said no morf^but assisted mi to replace the treaaOTes. '•" There," salS •l^rning the ke; andputting it in m^Waistcoat pockt t " now let me show yoxuan old illumi nated missal," and so saying, I too] it from the shelf, and Jf,foing? it ,b; the lamp, turned over its flimsy page Our voices echoed in the large din .». room, and the moon shone in at i ' latticed window. We stood for soni time, Maud engrossed iv the book and I casting sidelong glances at he: cliarming profile and pulling nr fflbuataclie nervously, for on a sud den I had resol ed to tell Maud o my love for her'. v I cannot efay wh^ the impulse seized upon me at tbi moment ; pel haps it was because i-hi looked mo c than usually lovely jus then, or because the place and th< hour seemed so fitting. As sh« turned the last leaf of the missal, ] caught her hand passionately, and bending to her I told her how hei presence in the dull old bouse had reconciled me to its solitude. I confessed that I loved her. "You must not speak so>" she cried, wresting her liand from mine. " I am your friend, but I can never be anything else." The coldness of her, tone froze me. It was not through mere, maidenly reserve that she spoke so, but for some reason which baffled my surmises. Had I h rival ? . .A., hundred thoughts rushed through my brain. "May I not hope that your friendship will ripen into a deeper affection ?" I said, eagerly, for I would not be so easily suppressed. "It is quite impossible," she replied, with almost cruel emphasis; and as s-he spoke she rose to her feet. " Have I been too presumptuous ?" I stammered. " No, no," she answered tenderly, turning her face towards me and showing eyes full of teais. "Then you do " But she Would not allow me to finish my sentence. "Good night," she said coldly. *' Thank you so much for showing me the plate. I must re 1 urn tot M iss Savill." I took her hand mechanicall, scarcely pressing it, for her co dness dazed me, and as she passed out of the room I sank into a chair in the mo* nlight and gazed at the shimmering lake and the gaunt trees in the park. I sat in the silent library until I felt a chill wind liom the open casement, which caused me to 'shiver. Then I rose and moodily sought my bedroom. Though Maud had mystified me, it was not to be expected that my ardour was in any way cooled by the manner in which she had received my avowal. I detcrmii ed to lake' courage and look hopefully iiito the future. I It was past midnight when I fell into an uneasy sleep, from which I roused suddenly, filled with a presentiment that I had forgotten to lock the coffer. But then I remember turning the key, and afteiwai ds placing it .2 my pocket. To make sure that I was right, I lit my lamp and felt for the key. It was quite safe, t-till, my heart fluttered, and in my nervous condition I found that sleep was impossible. I paced up and down the creaking oak floor until daylight, and when the east grew pink I took my gun and went forth into the keen morning air.