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

while her ladyship is in hearing. There
that will do-now go, quickly. So far,
we are sefe."
While speaking, he had stepped inside
the press, and now pulled the door
nearly to. To the satisfaction Of both,
it closed far less noisily. Then Gerard
found himself in complete darkness,
and was but just able to discern the fig
ure-of Susan PinnerfoId fora second, ere
the obseurity had enveloped it.
Their arrangements had only been
completed in time; for scarcely had the
girl gone-indeed, she must have still
been on the stairs-when a light ap-
peared at the far end of the room.
A cold shiver ran through the Baro-
nets frame as, recognizing the bearer
Of to be Lady PendeTleith herself, he
reflected how very narrowly he had es-
capped detection. a moment later, and
aunt and nephew would have met face
to face, and the endeavor to rescue
Alma been frustrated.
Happily, he was safe, and could, with
out danger, from his hidiDg-plaee see
all that passed.
Slowly, but with assurance, her lady
ship advanced. Her face was pale,
even TO ghastliness; while resolute,
concentrated expression rested on her
handsome features, as of one who, hav-
ing a purpose to perform, had mentally
vowed no obstacles should prevent her
fulfilling it.
Looking neither to the right nor left,
she passed the doors Of thepress so cIose-
IL that her dress brushed them, and the
Baronet had to stay his breath, lest 1!
should be heard. Had he made the
slightest movement then, detection
would have been inevitable. To hi:
amaze, she continued straight to the
opposite wall. What could be her in.
tention? for there was not the slightest
indication Of door. He watched anx,
| fously, and his astonishment increased
when, after raising the lamp she carried
as If to find some mark, pressing agains
the wall with her hand, he perceived
the panel slide back. An instant more
and Lady Penderleith had passed
through, reclosed the slide; leaving al
again in darkness.
The Baronet stood rooted to the spot
The mystery as to how those subterran
can places were reached was a mystery
no longer. But could he really be IL
the nineteenth century? Had ne no
in some dream stepped back hundred
years or more on to the shores of rO
nance?
No; a vigorous rub of the eyes proved
he was wide awake enough; while it re
called to him that, though he only dat
ed from the nineteenth century, Pender
leith reckoned its existence from thl
fifteenth. What was he to do?
As yet, nothing. While her ladyshil
was at the other side, he dared not com
mence his investigations. He mus
wait till she returned. Then, in no dan
ger of being disturbed, by the aid of tht
dark lantern beneath his coat, he nigh
4 proceed.
It was a dreary waiting; minutes
crawled by like hours. The:dense dark
ness of the press grew painful, produc
ing bright, starry, floating lights beforr
his gaze. He dared not move from thu
position he had taken because of thl
creaking it produced in the old wood
and the utter stiffness was only broker
by the tick, tick of the death-watcl
calling to its mate.
When the silence and the waiting t.
the anxious watcher had reached tbar
point when it feels impossible longer tC
be borne, a sound at the wall aroused
him to vigilance. Directing his gaze tC
the. spot, he perceived the slide move
back, and Lady Penderleith re-appear
Her look, her manner, were totally
changed. The former was anxious and
troubled; the latter, hurried. She pus b.
ed the panel back, hastened across the
apartment, and disappeared.
Now is my time, murmured the Bar
Onet, tremulous with anxiety-'now tc
diseover--tor rescue AInaY
Cautiously be emerged flom his hid
Ting place. This time the door made So
slight noise that it could not have
been heard, even had Lady Penderleith
been in the adjoining apartment. He
! listened. Not a sound.
Thank heaven he calculated. Quick,
to find the springp
Lifting the lantern, he shot back the
slide. A cry Of joy escaped his lips. The
panel, whether Intentionally or acci-
dentally, had not been quite closed.
A second after, however, an express
sion Of alarm overspread his contenance.
Its being open surely was a proof that
her ladyship was coming back.
Never mind; still I win proceed he
exclaimed. IF Alma be below, bappier
shall l feel to perish with her, then live
at freedom here.
Acting instantly upon this resolve, he
pressed open the, panel, and drew it af-
ter him on entering; then, observing
the stairs, began to descend, one ear on
the alert to catch any sound from above
the other to catch those below. All,
however, was still, save for his own
footsteps
The further he went, his horror of the
place increased; and, eager to ascertain
whether she whom he loved was really
there, as he neared the bottom of the
stairs, he called, softly, Alma, Alma!
Speak, love, if you are here! It's +
GerardD
But no voice made reply.
Surely no fI,o,,o-l,t