Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-12-20


this! All, what IS here?
His eyes had rested on the door q
Alma's prison. At the same moment 3
faint sound, like a Sigh, reached him; 4
violent trembling seized every Limbs his
heart beat high with hope; SO be sprang
forward; the key was in the lock, and
turning it, he entered.
His first glanea showed him the place
was furnished. The second fell on the
form of Alma, extended on the bed.
Alma! Could it be? How awfully
changed-how white was her once fair
face-how haggard-how hollow were
the cheeks! The ivory lids were only
partly closed over the large, blue eyes;
the teeth were eienehed; her golden hair
f1oated bright wave over her motion
less bosom; her arms laid passiyely by
her side. A cry burst from the BarO-
nets lips, as If his soul went with it
He believed her dead; and, rushing for
ward, cast himself upon the senseless
girl.
Dead-dead, my Alma! he cried. 4
have come too Iate-tOO lateu
In paroxysm of despair, he kissed
her hands, her lips, when a peculiar
odos arresting his attention, he stopped.
It was an edor he knew well. It was
chlOroform.
The truth flashed upon him. The
singular appearance Alma presented
was explained; she was not dead, but
under the influence of that subtle drug.
Quickly he looked around. Yes. there
was the handkerchief stepped in it, on
chair which stood near lay Alma's
shawl and bonnet.
What did it mean; that, and these
signs Of departure
He had no need TO put the mental
question twice. Readily he OWNED all,
for it was what he most feared Alma
had resisted her mothers will, and her
ladyship, unwilling that she should per-
ish, intended, while she was unable to
prevent it, to have her carried from
hence that very night. Had he come
too late? No; but only just in time
yet, perhaps too late, after all; for the
open panel indeed now showed plainly
that Lady Penderleith intended soon to
return. If Alma was to be saved, he
must get her away before she came.
Immediately raising her in animate
form in his arms, clasping her tightly
to his breast, feeling, holding her thus,
strength and courage to undergo any
perils for her sake, the BarOnet, taking
his lantern, quilted the cell, and lock-
ed the door, in order to throw every de-
lay in the way of Lady Penderleith dis
covering AIma's absence.
Scarcely, however, had he done SO,
than, to his CONSERVATION, he heard
footsteps descending the stairs. What
was he to do? There was mans tread
beside her ladyshiy's. She had assist
ance, then. Therefore, to seek to pass
them was too hazardous to be thought
of, as failure would necessitate Alma's
recapture. In despair, he looked round.
Was there no place of cOncealment?
At the foot of the stairs the passage
ran some feet back, forming a dark re-
cess, ending in another door. Success
or failure, it was the only means open
to him; and surrendering their fate into
the hands of heaven, the BarOnet, dark
ening his lantern, clasping Alma firmly
entered, and cro9ched down in the OBJ
scurest corner. There he was safe
from observation, unless they looked
back; then he would have few feet
start, and must trust to that.
How loudly his heart beat, as the steps
Idrew nearer; then their voices, at first
How, but finally distinct, reached his ear.
It was Lady Penderleith who spoke, in
her accustomed proud, cold, repellant
tones.
You have a closed carriage ready? she
added
Yes, your Iadyship, answered arough,
uneducated, masculine. voice; 'at the
east gate of the fr-weod. -,
That is well. My daughter is now
under the influence ola drug, which
has to be given in order to remove her
without resistance, therefore she viii
give you no trouble. When she recov-
ers. she will be far from here, and you
can tell her that it's by my orders she is
being taken to NorthertOn, her aunt's.
If she resist, you must have recourse to
the same means I had to quiet her.
But she will not; she is far too weak,
and In any way will be glad TO change
this place for another OF more cheerful
aspect. Do your work well, and, on
reaching Northerton, my sister is in
structed to give you another twenty
pound.
The man expressed his thanks, ac-
companied by assurances that he would
try to give every satisfaction.
have told you the reason Of my re-
moving my daughter thus continued
her ladyship; indifferent to his reply
She would wed one utterly unworthy OF
her-a mere fortune hunter againstmy.
will, my commands. She is obstinate,
stubborn, driving me to this course. I
would secretly separate her from all risk
Of meeting this man again, till his dam
gerous power over her has died out"
Yes, my lady, rejoined her compan-
ion; some children are SO very contrari-
wise, amt they? an thinks as 'ow their
young unsoisticated 'eads is a precious
sight better than all the old 'uns put
together
They were level with the Baronet,
when Lady Penderleith stopped abrupt
ly, and turning, remarked, witha bit
terness that displayed how deep was her
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