Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-10-23

I" I don't know exclaimed the maniac, imi.
tating Barry's voice.
Ny friend now turned away, and proceede ed
IN the direction OF the ministers house, where
he informed me, preparations were being made
to commence vigorous search for Lizzie.
A whole week passed away, and no trace had
yet been discovered of the lost girl. Her father
was almost distracted, and Harry was a victim
10 the deepest anguish. Some times / actually
feared Tor his senses. had believed from the
first that the maniac knew more about the mat.
ter than he chose tn acknowledge. One night
1t was the sixth since her disappearance, Harry
and myself were standing a short distance from
the house, beneath the shade of a dropping
willow. lie was complaining bitterly, and |
was trying to console him Suddenly oh.
served form, with alantern ,stealthily gliding
past US, which / instantly recognised To be tha I
Of Oliver. L directed Harry:s attention to him.
and proposed that we should follow in his track
unobserved; for something told me that, by so
doing, We might obtain a clue to Lizzie R
The maniac walked rapidly towards the
house and we followed him. We saw him pause
moment before fight of stone steps, which
led into a dark kind of vault. directly be-
heath the house
oliver descended the stone steps as we ap-
proached, and We were soon near enough to OBJ
serve him untasten the heavy oaken door which
led into the cellar. A horrible idea now took
possession OF my mind, and looking at nv
friend, perceived that he was influenced by
the same feelings. A faint groan was now
heard to come from the vault, as we descended
the steps and both of us rushed into it. 1t was
as had suspected. In one corner of the eel
lar, chained to post, was a female form. She
sat upon the damp earth, with her head lean
Ing back against the wall. Her features, thou Oh
naturally beautiful, were now pale and wasted.
The maniac stood by her side and was asking
ner to become his wife One glance was enough
for Harry. He saw that it was Lizzie r.,
and sprung forward, shouting her name, while
he dashed Oliver aside.
Lizzie opened her eyes, and family murmur-
ing has name, sank in the arms of her lover -
We instantly bore her up stairs, and soon had
the Satisfaction to see her recover She in
formed US that she had not tasted food for a
whole week, aud accordingly she was supplied
with refreshments. She then told us the story
oi her strange disappearance, which was as
follows:
While taking a short stroll on her fathers
grounds, she was suddenly confronted by Oil
yer, who instantly seized her in his arms.
placed one hand over her mouth and then bore
her OF, saying that she must and should be-
come his wife. That he took her to the vault
and made her fast to post where he left her
She shriekea.and strove to make herself heard,
'u, OH " no purpose Day AFTER day passed,
and no one came to her aid. She grew faint
from hunger and thirst, and had she not been
discovered that night, would not have lived to
see the light of day
Such was Lizzie's story, and was now con-
vinced that it was her shrek which had heard
under my window. l will not attempt to de-
scribe the JOY of the minister at his daughters
recovery, nor tlet of Harry, who was soon
after united to her in wedlock A. for Oliver,
he was sent to the lunatic asylum, where he
still remains