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

not come out" she said. "They may
find it there, and then they will murder
me as they have threafned.'
"Listen !" / whispered. "There is no
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. / will watch if you
need me cry out and will come--if not,
wait and hope for the morning that shall
bring you safety andrelease only GO
now, before they find us together
She seemed to understand, and moved
toward the door submissively, then stop
ped-"You would not deceive me 2" she
said. The look and tone were SO implo-
ring, so inexpressibly mournful, that my
heart smote me for letting her 60, for
remembering anything but her misery
She gazed into my face. 81 know you
would not" she said in quite another
voice, and again turned away, follow
ing her. Her fingers softly turned the
handle she crepi into the passage, and
| watched the tall dark form fitting
along the gallery, her bare feet moving
noislessly upon the boards. | listened
breathle8sly, but there was neither sound
nor movement in the house.
The old couple slept at the foot of the
back staircase and near the kitchen, the
son in small room close to the hail.
never dreaming that the prisoner they
had kept securely all these months would
find means to force her prison on this
very night-only the woman even know
ing that she had heard of my presence
in the house. If any chance noise awoke
those sleepers--if any chance suspicion
had turned them into watchers, then II
might be a struggle rOr life and death.
No; all was still as yet. The moon
light flooded the room, as closing the
door, softly crossed to the window-seai
and sat down there to listen and think
Think think of what ? A horrible
crime-a secret prison house not twent.
miles from London-the work that mus
be done tomorrow all these thing
came crowded together wildly in N.
brain. By degrees l grew calmer.
must release her-but how Mao.
WAYS flashed across me, and were cas-
aside again. So / sat motionless gazIni
into the sky, my ear strained for ever.
cry, until the first faint streak Of dawi
came into the east. No sound had bro
ken the dead silence Of the house, ant
now my last plan was made and Nigh
be tried.
I dressed quietly, then waited for
while, and as the red rim of the rlsinI
sun showed through the trees, trampe'
noisily down stairs. ] meant that the.
should see and hear me, but no one ap
peared so crossing the kitchen, 1 looke'
! in. The old man was there cutting u
wood he did not hear my step till wa
close upon him, then turned sharpl,
round. "You rise early" be said, in bi
old surly tone.
With all the blood in my veins cuFdIInI
at the sight of that wicked, murderou
face, l forced my lips to speak naturally
" Why, yes" l said; " / want to Sc
something of the grounds before break
fast. Can you tell me the best way t
take z"
81 know naught about it, he answer
!
ed "there is nothing worth seeing any
where about here"
"Where does the garden lie " | ask
ed. The instant 1 had spoken felt tha
my question, meant to divert suspicion
had been a rash one. He looked up,
new expression in his eyes-was 1t tea
or doubt|
"There is no garden nOw," he san
hastily; sits wilderness; and break
fast will be ready directly, if only tha
old idiot"-and he shouted his wife
name" was here as she should be-"
The precious minutes were slipping
fast away, and yet dare not seem II
haste. The old man turned to his chop
n;nr and the monotonous thud of th
Ratchet alone sounded through the room
Presently said, carelessly Well, Ia
Just going for turn in the wood now, an
presently shall get you to go round wit
me- I had not done speaking when tn
old woman's door opened, and hear
her foot beginning slowly to descend tn
stairs. Was she going thereF All Nigh
perchanee, be safe but if that broke
kew should still be in the lock, the secr'
was betrayed. In desperation | racke
NV brain for some device to bring h'
hack. "StayP' l exclaimed to the o
man. % isn't that your Wife Iwant h
10 get me. if she can, some eggs and We