National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-04-05

uneasiness when questioned about
it, all combined, determined mepot
to go about my business until | had
f committed the impertnence of speak
ing to the young lady.
Iput my face close to the glass
and tarped three times. The kitten
, sprang to the floor her eyes green
|. and every separate hair in her back
standing erect. The girl started up,
glancing at the door, then at the
window, where I still kept my face.
| can hardly define the change her
cOuntenance underwent. First hor-
or, loathing even, then terror, then
curiosity, then hope. put my lips
to the glass and spOke:-
"Forgive my impertinence
: mean no harm but why do you have
your window grated =
She came and stood under the
grating 4 little doubtful. q little
uncertain. She said something but
L could not hear her. took out
my pocket knife. and worked through
the grating, removed a pane of
glass. The wild, free wind rushed
in she drew long inspiration.
First tell me who you are and
why You are here p
"With pleasure" | replied, II am
a travelling agent for mining com
pany, am stopping at this tavern
all night. | came out to see the
storm, heard you singing, and want
ed to see the singer.-That's ALL"
"No, not ALL" she said solcnnly.
''Heaven at last has heard my pray
crs and sent you to deliver me. You
will help me, will YOU not
''To the loss of my life" eX-
claimed, and felt it. But tell me
why YOU are here, and how can as
siSt YOU"
II am a prisoner here. sir. | have
been for two years. My name is
Florence Huntress, of New York.
"Flolcncc Huntress y | cried.
"Surely you are mistaken. Flor
ence Huntress is dead. | read her
name on a tombstone in Greenwood
not month ago. 1t was sad fate.
have heard her story-young
wealthy, and beautiful, but stricken
with fatal disease which made her
a corpse in less than twelve hours.
"Yes, that is the story they tell, :
she said sadly 'but nevertheless !
am Florence Huntress. That tomb
stone stands over an empty grave.
Let me give you the hrietest account
of my life that will make YOU under
stand my case. was wealthy. My
parents were dead. | had only one
living relatlve-my cOnsin, Gregory
Faypc. He songi-t nee in marria ge
| did not love him, and declined the
honor. He worked with caution, he
gave me subtle drugs which stole
away my life powers at times, al
most my reason. One day. | was
taken violently II, l died they said
and | remember being put into a
coffin, and borne away for burial
But Gregory had not the courage tC
murder me outright. He gave me
into the keeping of hoIrid tool
Paul Wilkins the keeper of this
place-and here was brought two
years ago. My cousin enjoys my
property. and | am dead to the
world. Now will you help me 4!
"Help you you wrong me by in
dulging a single doubt Patience
, and courage, in little while you
shall be free.
l had chisel in my pocket--for
| was bit of a geologlst, and col
{ lected specimens some timeS-and
with this | soon pried off the ban
which held the CRATES III place
The window was easily removed
and when she stepped on chair,
| lifted her out upon the roof.
/ GLOW shall we get awayW y she
r asked anxious, her ear strained tC
= catch every sound.
, "My horse will carry two, if nee
. essary; but, if we are not discover
ed, ! can walk beside you to a place
of safety
My kitten! my little kitten!
3 must haze him! she said as the
. melancholy new Of her pet reached
5 her ear. 'He is all | have had for
D year to cheer my loneliness
:, sprang down into the chamber
S and gave him to her. She took hin
+ pressed her lips to his soft head
| and hid him in her bosom. jus
then ] was silly enough to wish
h were the kitten.
+ The next was to descend TO III
V ground. | had no cords about m
person, but when | stepped out G
Y my room, | had wrapped my travc
|, ing shawl around me TO keep OIL tn
'. rain which expected would fall
n took this off, and, tearing 1t int
r. strips. knotted them together mt
n | had a reliable rope. fastened
e around the girls waist, and let h'
Sc down to the ground. Then she III
| tied it from her body, and secure
q one end to part of the grating, an
;e made my descent. -,
Il. Miss Huntress clung to me like
| child. She had an unspcakablc ho
Il. ror of discovery. The hand that
| clasped in mine was as cold as ir
~ and her breath came IN gasps rath
u. than inspirations. Long coniin
mcnt had made her weak and ncr
lis ous.
N. / went TO the stable and untyil
lg Selim, led him out. The good o
ed fellow seemed glad at being taxi