The Mysterious Key And What It Opened

id Hester to Bedford, the stately butler, as they lingered at the hall door

e seems above his place, though he does look the very p

dsome, dark face caused many a susceptible maid to blush and simper as they passed him. "Gentleman Paul," as the servants called him, was rather lofty and reserved among his mates, but they liked him nonetheless, for Hester had dropped hints of his story and quite a little romance had sprung up about him. He stood leaning against the docile creature, sunk in thoug

ll they reached a hazel copse; here he drew rein, and,

please pull some of those flowers for Mamma. She likes a wi

l of late flowers and, standing by her, held the improm

our buttonhole as the ladies' grooms do in the Park," sa

specially today, for it is my birthday." And Paul looked up at th

u're seventeen; almos

," muttered the bo

, because I like you very much, and you are always doing kind things for me. What shall it

f, he kissed the small hand, saying impulsively, "My dear little mistress, I wa

to it. But what is that?" And she laid hold of a little locket

mischievous laugh, "It is your sweetheart, Paul. I heard Bessy, my maid, tell Hester she

red the boy, without

uestioned Lillian, getting int

d Paul's black

ey say in the old songs?" ask

, or live for her,

one care for one so much," said the child inno

s to all s

eth gay

ird will fi

ry lass

nd looking relieved that Lillian's thoughts

urs someday?" asked Lillian, turning t

rha

the child, quick to read the kindling of the eye and th

wait, and while I wait many

he a

e." Paul spoke with a look of decision, and a proud lift of the h

ess coming over her, "But you are a gentleman, a

w what I am?" h

right place again. I asked Mamma about it, and she said she would not let me be with you so much if you were

es

ade her say reprovingly, "You are proud, I know, but you'll let us help yo

" asked Paul, looking straight in

someone to be with me and

other person-perhaps have to give them a great ma

ts and spoils me, but if I loved a person dearly I'd give u

, and a beautiful bright smile broke over his face as he answered warmly, "I do believe it, dear, and it makes me happy to hear you sa

anger, at this first breach of respect on the part of her companion. Both were silent for a moment, Paul looking

her neck? She was asleep and I was sitting by her. In her sleep she pulled it out and said something about a letter and Papa. I wanted to see Papa's face, for I never did, b

f a key?" cried Pau

my piano, or the black cabinet. She wok

belong to?"

, and I dare not ask any more, for she forbade my speaking to her a

owers and handed them to Paul to carry. As s

she exclaimed. "Have I said

llian. I'm o

grow almost black, and your mouth looks fierce. You are a very odd person, Paul; one minu

work to do, so no wond

work,

fortune and

liked it, and obeyed him with unusual meekness when he suggested that it was time to return. As he rode silently beside her, she stole covert glances at him from under her wide hat brim, and studied his unconscious face

f I can. I'll make him show me that miniature someday, for I'

up and smiled at her with his blithest expression. But Lillian appeared to be the thoughtful one now and with an air of dignity, very pr

his horse, rode away to the stables at a reckless pace, as if

from some place in Italy. Who do you know

reading a single line, to drop into a chair as if he had received a sudden blow. Growing paler and paler he read

ways worn about him. Over these he pored with a face in which hope, despondency, resolve, and regret alternated rapidly. Taking the locket out he examined a ring which lay in one side, and the childish face which smiled on him fro

ou get my things ready I'll take a turn

s very dark, and she seldom went farther than the last window in her restless walks, but as she now approached she was startled to see a streak of yellow light under the door. She kept the key herself and neither she nor Hester had been there that day. A cold shiver passed over her for, as she looked, the shadow of a foot darkened the light for a moment and vanished as if someone had noiselessl

d the woman, alarmed at the

k!" cried Lady Trevlyn, adding, as she pointed to the door,

it's dark," re

wed, she searched the room, looking behind the tall screen by the hearth, up the wide chimney, in the great wardrobe, and under the ebony cabinet, where all the relics of Sir Richard were kept. Nothing a

d sound to be phantoms of my lady's distempered fancy, and searched merely to satisfy her. The mystery of Sir Richard's death still haunted the minds of all who remembered it, and even He

framed in dark hair and beard, with closed eyes and the stony look the dead wear. A loud, long shriek that roused the house broke from Lady Trevlyn as she

e vainly trying to restore her lady. Great was the dismay and intense the unwillingness of anyone to obey

a man, boy though he is," she s

a-playing tricks, though it ain't like

I was afraid he'd startle my lady. Let him sleep; this would only excite him and set hi

pillow was plainly visible the mark of a head and a single scarlet stain, as of blood. At that sight Hester turned pale and caught the butler's arm, whi

ver rest in our beds if such things are to h

that the windows were fast, Hester locked the room and ordered everyone but Bedford and the housekeeper to bed. "Do you sit outside my lady's door till mor

s fast locked and no foothold for even a sparrow outside the w