The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-30

Il
beings as she led them on, OH
A cryl the crash Of q rotton board
The light was extinguished Alf Traf
ford found himself alone, and in dark
ness.
Vaughan had uttered the cry, for he
felt himself falling.
The fall extingNished the taper he car
l ried. He rushed helplessly through 9
/ dark space, and struck the ground with
1 force that partially stunned him.
| Yet he had consciousness enough tt
realize that strong grasp seized him
and dragged him for considerable dis
tance.
Then there was period of entire un
find himself lying on bed OF straw, In
what seemed to be cellar.
A light glimmered before him. 1t was
lantern placed. upon table among q
| medley of objects, which looked like por.
tions OF some machinery. Close by an
old man, in q battered hat, was nodding
sleepily, and evidently unconscious thai
| the prisoner was awake; for the place
was little more than dungeon-stone
walls, unlighted by any windows, a
wooden bench and a hammock, slune
across the further end, comprising the
| remainder OF the furniture.
He saw his danger; he knew it meant
death, for he understood that he was In
den of thieves.
Suddenly space opened in the wall
a rough voice said, 7.Larryl" and the
old man reused himself, stumbled out,
and pressed through the open door,
| which Immediately shut after him.
For one breathless moment Vaughan
found himself alone. He listened-all
| was silent. He was about to lift his
head when a light step sounded fleetly
on the stone floor, dress rustled, and q
young woman fell on her knees beside
him, peering into his face with two wild,
beautiful eyes.
"You are awake. Hush! Rise up and
follow me, if you wish your life savedw
She sprang up, made gesture of eau.
ion as he rose, and hurried to open an
opposite door.
the door, all was darkness. She snatched
his hand, with a soft, thrilling grasp,
and drew him on. They seemed passing
through wine-cellar. At length they
reached an arch which had lantern
swung from its center.
"Stayl Hushw she whispered. @Lis-
ten but do not speak; this place echoes.
l am going to save your life."
Her great, solemn eyes were lifted
close to his face, her fragrant breath
mingled with his as she whispered:
''They are going to strangle you. They
strangled man here once before. But
l save you at the risk OF my life. 1t
help you escape, promise not 10 set the
officers upon us. l can not do it else.
Do you promisef Give me your other
hand if you DO"
He gave her the other hand, and she
bol hnf fNv hn
"My uncle, the leader of these men
there are twelve Of them-has just come
in with some prize which engages their
attention, or I should not have this
chance. 1 am the same girl who led you
here over the rotton boards-you do not
know me? Never mind. am going to
rescue you now. Come now, carefully"
He began to see objects palmer.
"There is the drive that leads down the
avenue. 1t will soon be morning. Never
come here again. Goodbye
"Stay! Are you obliged to stop here?
How do you live? What is your name !!
And why do you play this cheat on peo-
ple?" he added, in different tone.
~ stay with my uncle. He brought
me up. I have no home but with him."
she murmured. ..ta.
For a moment there was silence. Her
head dropped. She was going away, but
Vaughan again detained her.
"What 10 y our name, pleaseW
s.Teresa-my uncle calls me Tressy."
"Why do you play ghost2"
"My uncle tells me to-I can not help
it," she replied, more quickly, and with
some show of impatience. "Gol you are
safe now," she added.
Day was breaking. He recognized his
surroundings. lie thought of Traford.
IL must 60 into the house. am not
alone here" he began.
has gone-the other"
"Good-by, then"
He held out his hand.
"Good-by," she said, wearily.
He reached the city; took carriage
to his hotel. When he appeared to Vi
olet, she flung herself into his arms with
a scream of joy. Her hair was dishev-
eIed-her face bathed in tears.
"Oh, Vaughan, we thought you were
murdered! And ALI has gone back to
that horrid place with the officers"
The officers-he thought Of the little
Tressy-nis promise!
show long have they been gonep
"They have just started"
81 must 60 back, then. Don't cry,
Violet; / will take care of myself"
HG TORE dWuy u6r again.
"She said she saved my lite at tue
risk of her own," he muttered, giving
the hack-driver twice his fare to catch
the train.
He eau uyht it, found the party bound to
Owlswood-four officers and Alf Traf-
ford, half crazed. His appearance crea-
ted u sensation.
"See here, friends; there is little
girl there, O mere Child, who saved nv
flfe. Iit Thsy Wefs Meaning tD stfahgle
ine-th5f horde. l shall take tHS eiri
into my protection. You will seize only
the Others"
TRey acquesced. Like pointers, they
tracked their prey to the den. The ring
leader, hoary old villain, was killed,
and Vaughan found the girl Tressy sob
bin9 over his lifeless body. Five other
men were shot, but only disabled-ali
were put in irons. A little strategy was
used to effect complete arrest.
For time Vaughan pleaded in vain
with the halt. distracted girl.
"But your uncle is dead. This is my
home, and am coming here to live. You
must come with mel' he said, at last.
There is no one else to take care OF YOU"
She arose at this, brought her hat and
cloak, and, sobbing all the while, let him
take her away with him in the carriage
he had brought.
Poor, beautiful, untaught childl 1t