The Mysterious Key And What It Opened

child had led a solitary life, with no playmates of her own age, such being the will of my lady; therefore she welcomed Paul as a new and delightful amusement, considering him her privat

place, yet seemed unconsciously to influence all w

lone asked advice and comfort in his various small straits. It was as she suspected: Paul was a gentleman's son, but misfortune had robbed him of home, friends, and parents, and thrown him upon the world to shift for himself. This sad story touched the woman's heart, and the b

t," said my lady, from the long window of the li

ing a little anxious, for the month of trial expired that day

if you will, for Lillian is ha

glance of mingled pride and pain

d you in for. You spoke of being able to illuminate

cy if nothing else. Paul examined it, and as he turned it to and fro in his hands it opened at the page oftenest read by its late master. His eye kindled as he looked, and with a quick gesture he turned as if toward the light, in truth to hide the flash of triumph that pass

le in your hands. Provide what is needful, and na

dy, I am al

she asked,

answered with a sudden flush on his dark cheeks, "You have been ki

and we will see about the recompense afterward." And

hand after her with a gesture of menace, then tossed up the old book and caught it with an

avely on, Father Cosmo; and boy as I am, I'll k

l keep, lad?" said

best to restore this book, Mrs. Hester,

I hid it away, but my lady found it in spi

ddenly, then?"

with the ink scarce dry on the letter he left f

the family, a loyal retainer as in the old times. While you dust the books a

of the boy, telling the story more fully than she intended, for

n it?" asked the boy, as sh

er knew bu

troyed i

at the time, but answered with a look I shall never forget, 'No, it's not burnt, but no one shall ever see it.' I dared ask no mo

he str

and has never been found. A strange st

led curiously to himself as he bent over

n the next day, as she came upon Paul in a quiet corner of th

ce, he answered in his accustomed tone as he began to work anew, "I am molding a little deer

u are to think of my liking something new. Was this wax what you we

se your pony and I made him useful as well.

ite play. Then she tired of it, and Paul invented a new amusement, s

to bed, boy, go to bed, and get your sleep early," said Hester a w

don't go to bed?" he

I see your lamp burning, and last night I got as far as your door, meaning to speak to you,

l sleep. I hope I don't disturb you. I have to grind

f it, and turned to go on, saying indifferently, "Oh, that's the odd sound, is it?

ay as he left her, saying to himself with a sigh of reli

ate one night, she saw a tall shadow flit down one of the side corridors that branched from the main one. For a moment she was s

suspect some deviltry. I'll step to Paul. He's not asleep, I dare say. He

mpatient exclamation at her carelessness she glided to the bed, drew the curtain, and put forth her hand to touch the sleeper. The bed was empty. A disagreeable thrill shot through her, as sh

aching footsteps neared her. Slipping around the bed she waited in the shadow, and a moment after Paul appeared, looking pale and ghostly, with dark, d

haking him, after a pause of asto

nd he sat up, lookin

re you doing, trailing about the ho

d with a laugh, as he shook off her g

the house would have been roused by this time. What mischief is

tirred, but have been dreaming with all my mi

I see how it is, and I'm glad you alone have found me out. I walk in my sleep sometimes, Hester, that's the truth. I thought I'd got over it, but it's come back, you s

e to have a bedfellow or be locked up; it's dangerous

l anyone, please, else they'll laugh at me, and that's not pleasant. I don't mind your

ring only that he was a motherless boy, she stroked the curly hair off his

ng, but give you something that w

seen the convulsion of boyish merriment which took possession of