The Mysterious Key And What It Opened

ted himself at an early hour next day, wearing the keen, ste

iss Lillian went down t

he young man's eye kindled a

nd would have gone alone, if my lady hadn't given in much against h

eave no mes

the note at your ease. We are in sad

they might meet next season, but making no allusion to seeing him at the Hall, desiring Lillian's thanks and regards, but closing with no hint of Helen, except compliments. Paul smiled as he threw

thimble near it; there was a strew of papers on the writing table, torn notes, scraps of drawing, and ball cards; a pearl-colored glove lay on the floor; and in the grate the faded flowers he had brought two days before. As

I'll do no more for her sake. This theft will harm no one a

re you ready?" he asked, ent

hand to him with a proud expression, contr

g by it, and the claim must stand on such proof as we have, or fall for want of that one link

od or evil fortune as we always have done. I am a burden, but I

caressed the beautiful sightless face leaning on his shoulder, "Mia cara, would it break your heart, if at the last hour I gave

of her southern nature flashed into her face. "You have waited so long, worked so hard, suf

in a new way. Those two are so blameless, it is cruel to visit the sins of the dead on their innocent heads. My lady has suffered e

eyes burned with a gloomy fire, and her voice was relentless as she answered, while her frail hands held him fast, "I will not let you give it up. We are as in

m. His face darkened, and he put her away, saying

g the apartment with a ruddy glow, turning Lillian's bright hair to gold and lending a tinge of color to my lady's pallid cheeks. The girl sat on a low lounging chair before the fire, her head on her hand, her eyes

aking the long silence, as Lillian gave an unconsciou

amma, a

it? Are

er too much for me. I'm too young for it,

makes you so pale and grave, a

itation answered slowly, "Not that alone, Mamma. I'm w

ngs? Have you seen any one? Had letters,

rose on her arm, eyeing the girl with

answered Lillian, with a glance of surprise and a sh

nd my lady sank back as if a load was off her mind. "Tell

hamed," murmured the girl. Then yielding to an irresistible impulse to ask help and

lian?" asked my lady, with

her burning cheeks in her hands, as if overwhelmed with ma

with grief to see that this pains you. He is not a mate for you, Lillian. Remember thi

uperior in all gifts of mind and heart," sighed the girl, still wi

ut, darling, are you sure he does not care for you? I fancied I read a different story in his face, and when you b

although she is blind. He told me this, with a look I could not doubt

entreaties for a peep at the gay world. It is now too late to spare you this; you have had your wish and must pay its price, dear. But, Lillian, call pride to aid you, and conquer this fruitless love. It cannot be

y sentimental folly. I do love Paul, but I can conquer it, and I wi

herself in an accent of relief, "Only a love sorrow! I feared it was some new terror like the old one. Seventeen years of silence, seventeen years of secret dread and remorse for me," she said, pacing the room with tightly locked hands and eyes full of unspeakabl

ed to the room my lady usually occupied. The fire burned low, Lillian's chair was empty, and my lady lay asleep, as if lulled by the sighing winds without and the deep silence that r

ttering audibly as she clenched her thin hands on the golden case. Paul leaned and listened as if the first word had turned him to stone, till the paroxysm had passed, and with a heavy sigh my lady sank into a calmer

litary corner. Here stood the tomb of the Trevlyns, and here the figure paused. A dull spark of light woke in

et covered with black velvet and richly decorated with silver ornaments, tarnished now. The Trevlyns had been a stalwart race, and the last sleeper brought there had evidently been of goodly stature, for the modern coffin was as ponderous as the great oaken beds where lay the bones of generations. Lifting the lantern, the intruder brushed the dust from the shield-shaped plate, read the name RICHARD TREVLYN and