Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-01-29

purposlng to rob me they might even, in their
anger and revenge at my mission here, mcdi
tate worse things but if the absence of the
key had been no accident, and they were now
in my room, they should find harder work
than they had looked for had no 6rt-arms
but loaded stick, which went with me in ali
my journeyings, WAS by my beds head now.
Slowly and cautiously my hand stole out in
in the darkness aud grasped it tight. Then |
waited For while there was perfect silence
then the sound began afresh, and there-there
by the door, could just see moving form
On it cane, then stopped, as though listening,
and hearing nothing but my steady breathing,
came on again, nearer and nearer, until, as it
reached the foot of my bed, sprang up. Ny
stick was raised, was ready 10 descend, when
the moon shone out again, aud my hand drop,
ped 10 my side, for woman stood before NE
not the old woman | had seen, but one
many years younger, clad in dark garments,
with pale, haggard face and wild eyes What
was it =? spirit, au escaped mad woman, or
some plot to frightcn me? As that last thought
came into my mud | summoned breath to ask
Who, in Heavens name, are you ?"
30 hush, hush !" moaned out a voice fee
bic aud piteous as crying child's. Don't
speak, dou't let them hear !'
They Who are hsy and who are you?"
&" | will tell came TO tell ;" and with
sudden vehemence the figure seized my arm in
a convulsiVe grasp. u am poor creature,
whom, for eighteen mouths, those wretches
have kept Imprisoned in this house, away from
all who might have given me he p. You are
the first living soul who has been here and |
vowed to myself that if died for it l would
.oI-.c to pray yon to protect me, and oh, dear
Sir, kind Sir, have pity on me"
As SHE saSped Cut those words wh pas
Sionate earnestnfss, yet i'll faiat faIteriug tones,
something seemed to tell me that this was no
insane de!nsion, and 10 concerted scheme.
My poor woman" said soothingly, 10 a
whisper low as her o"n, l will help you if
can, but you must show me how. What is
your name and why are you here 2"
They brought mel had seen them do it
10 one else, and they dared not leave me
behind to tell so, when they had murdered
him, they brought me here aud shut me into
the dreadful room up stairs. am Ann For
rest"
Tie boys tale, the Pearce'S reluctance to
let the house be seen, the closed lunber-room
those few words threw light upon it all.
and in my horror could not speak at first,
she had freed herself.
"Tnere was three rusty broken keys-1
found them one day uuder some rubbish in an
old chest up there, aud tried them oil, a8d
one fitted but | dared not use it while they
were always down stairs, and SO hid it again.
They would have killed NE long ago, but she
the woman-s kinder than the others, and
would never let them, and to-uisht she talked
and cried about your being here, and her has
bands anger, little dreaming how | heeded
her, for they think me almost silly now. But
did heed and | thought you would help
me perhaps and so, when knew that they
must all be in bed, brought out 10Y key aud
it unlocked the door and then listened out
side every room until found you by your
breathing" She stopped at this last word,
and looked at me with q wistful, searching
glance 81 found YOU" she repeated and
now, oh Sir, yen will not forsake."
Il will not" answered but when pa1s
ed to think, sense of oar danger rushed up.
on me. Alone n this house, more than mile
from any human aid, how could defend her
or myself from men desperate. as these wOald
be, if they only guessed that knew their ter
rible secret |, with a wife and children look
ING to me, had no right uselessly to peril my
life | must be cautious and if it came to
the worst, then | could bat try what one
strong arm in good cause could do against
two villains So spoke gently to the wo
man, holding her hand as she stood beside me,
aud trying 10 qaiet her agony OF terror and
despair. while | said that | would save her,
but to do it at this moment would not be pos
sible. "0ny wait till morning. Go back
pcw to your prison, and trust TO me-" She
started aud shuddered
The key stuck in the lock it would not
come out" she said They may fud it there,
aud then they will murder me, as they have
threatened
Listen |" l whispered. There is 20 sign
that they have heard us yet. Go back and
try-try with all your strength to loosen the
key, and lock yourself in again then you need
fear nothing, for they cannot guess. l will
watch if you need ne, cry out, and L will
cOme-if not, wait aud hope for the morning
that shall bring you safety and release only
90 now, before they Gnd US together"
She seemed to understand, and movod to-
wa.d the door submissively, then stopped -
" You would not deceive me ?" she said The
look and tone were SO impIoring, so iuexpres,
sibly mournfu that my heart smote me for
letting her go, for remembering anything but
her misery She gazed into my face. know
you would not" she said, in quite another
voice, and again turned away, following her.
Her fingers softly turned the hande she
crept into the passage, and watched the tall
dark form fitting along the gallery, her bare
feet moving noiselessly upon the boards.
listened breathlessly, but there was neither
soun! nor movement in the house. The old
couple slept at the foot of the back staircase
and near the kitchen, the sou in small room
close to the hall, never dreaming that the
prisoner they had kept securely all those
mouths would fnd means to force her prison
on this very night.ouly the woman even
|, ,nou,;nr th,t che had heard of nv nracenpe in