Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-04-03

watched for me in suspense that would
be ended now 4? rang, but no one came
at first to answer to tho summons. A
terror seized me. Could they have muir
dered her and fled, leaving the house de
serted There surely bad not been
time for that. No there were steps
sounding on the floor, and the rattle ol
the door chain as ii fell. The key turn
ed and the door was opened wide thi'
time by old Pearce alone, quietly re-
garding us with the old sullen look and
no more. They had guessed nothing
yet, and now it mattered little that the
three men at my side must show him all.
"You have had long walk, sir" he
said-"and what may this gentleman
want ?' as Mr. Archer stepped forward
| looked him full in the face. "lt
has come TO take Ann Forrest from this
house,"
AT that name l thought to see him
torn pale, or spring upon me, but not a
feature altered--no change came over
the dogged face. Then all at once my
heart misgave me. Mr.. Archer looked
embarrassed.
Il would not willingly" he said, "in-
trude upon you, or suspect you of tie
horrible crime with which this gentleman
charges yon; but he is so positive, that,
if you can, you ought for your own sake
to clear yourself"
Pearce looked at him unmoved. "You
are Mr. Archer of Holme Green,
think, Why you are here, and what
this man means, perhaps you can tell,
for / cannot"
This is what I mean," l said. "Anu
Forrest, whose master you murdered 2
years ago, ia secretly detained in this
house lest she should accuse You as the
murderers. She is in the room which
you call lumber room, and l am going
there now."
"You are welcome to go there or any
where, all of you, though know of nc
right you have to search this house. Tt
me it signifies little what you do, an(
this is all of piece with your conduct
this morning." TheE turning, he wen
back TO the kitchen.
My companions exchanged looks and
| saw that the old Villains cunning tall
had strengthened their suspicious Of me
That strange, that horrible composure-
what could it mean?
With a sick heart | led The way VI
stairs to the locked door where | hat
stood the night before it was locked
now, and above it hung the key. Could
| have mistaken the place? No, there
was the narrow passage just before me
the winding staircase above and below
l snatched down the key, unlocked tbs
door and entered desolate room hall
filed with boxes and old furniture be-
yond it was another room quite empty
with no sign in either Of human habita-
ton. This, then, was what the old man;
calnness meant. Yet | searched, search
ed despairingly on every side, in every
nook and corner, Mr.. Archer looking or
silently. All in vain She was gone
and not trace of her was left | went
into the other rooms and left no spot un'
visited. groaned aloud in my bitter
remorse for having left her to her fate
What had that fate been? That wa:
the thought that lay heavy at my hear
as we went at last to the kitchen. A.
we were about to enter it, Mr.. Archer
drew me aside.
"You remember" said he, "your owr
words when you brought me here.
have been patient-haye given you eve
ry cbance--now comes your turn. Fen
my sake and your own, as well as tht
men you have wronged, you must con-
fess openly either to cruel slander, oi
-"
"An insane fancy l said, finishing the
sentence. "Not yet. There are gar
dens and outhouses-we must searcl
them. They may even have carried hel
off"
"How could they in broad daylight
You here until an hour ago and no car
or horse about the place. That at leas
f is impossible-besides the man is here
/ said nothing in reply. What eoul'
! | say The old mau was still alone
: and sitting by the fire as we passed ihro
the kitchen to the back-door, he raise'
his head, and pointing to basket on th
l table, said-"My wife got those read
before she went to market. l don't as
lifyou have found anything up stairs, b.
d cause there was nothing to find-but
e hone YOU are satisfied"
nj was silent Mr.. Archer paused
Is say a few words before following me o.
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