The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-06-25

@Never mind my horse, my good girl;
but the master must not freeze. just
wait moment till l knock the snow
from my oleak and hat, and then close
the door,"
He,en Gla1en-for such was her name
stood almost petritied, as the stranger
threw of his travelling cloak, and, knock
ing of the snow out OF the threshold,
revealed upon his breast The orders OF
knighthood. The stranger then threw
himself into the chair and drew eagerly
before the fire.
"Ughp he exclaimed, with a shudder.
"Why, my good girl, do you stand there
gaping at me, and keeping the door stu
Openf Don't you see how the snow is
blowing in3 Ughl shut the doorp
Helen closed 1t with q crash and stood
trembling on the floor. she seemed to
have lost the power Of speech.
"If you had rode as far in this storm
as have l, you would not think of re-
tusing me a welcome" said the stranger,
who, warming by the genial rays of the
fire, began to notice the agitation OF the
girl. "Why are you afraid, girl2 Is 1t
my sword that frightens you? You need
not fear that; am not brlgand In dis
guise, and cavaliers are now the defend
ers OF female innocence; not their de-
spoilers"
"Yes, sir-but-O, l-please don't stay
| long, Sill" faitered Helen. tremulously.
"What mean you, girl?' asked tue
stranger, with more interest, as he liked
mis- penetrating gaze upon her.
| 40, sir-I am living here alone-and-
lam expecting some one-pray do not
think me lnh0spiGaule, but"
"Livlng alone-eXpectlng some one,"
repeated the stranger, rising, ''What is
tue meaning OF this, glrlT' he glanced
around the room, and his hand wan
dered unsciously to his sword. "This
does not look like a banditsretreat, nor
you like bandits wile. Why do you
trembleY
80, sir, there is no danger to you,"
DRIED Helen, ''nor can explain, but"
"He's cOmin'l he's comln'! Miss
HelenW cried Jud, bursting into the
room. He'll be here in a minute; build
big fire; ct the blankets warm; W ad-
dy thinks .haester Mortimer beant q ute
l-u
Jud's eyes at this moment encoun-
tered the stranger, who had assumed
commanding position before the fire,
with his nand resting on his swords hilt.
Poor Helen hid her face in her hands,
and sank upon the floor.
show do you do, masterT' said Jud,
taking of MS hat and boWing. "WnaI
be the matter, surp You seem to be
frightened"
The cool audacity of the boy, who was
ILL avored enough as he stood in the
light, covered with snow and his red
hair down over his eyes, did not add
much to the strangers comfort.
What is the meaning OF thisW he
cried. II there is danger let HE meet
it,"
Before an answer could be
qiyen the tall form OF the
giant entered the apartment
bearing in his arms the skeleton armor,
which he quickly deposited before til {
fire. The sIgat made the stranger draw
his sword, and start back against the
wall in an attitude Of defiance.
"Ouick, judi Where's the key l gave
you lor the spring" cried the giant
glaring vaguely from the cavalier tC
Helen and JuQ.
"Here it u.s." said the boy, handing hin
q small, strangely-tormed key.
Again Waduy glanced at the stranger
anu, kneellng over the skeleton, paused
for moment.
"YoWre a stranger" he said, in his
rough way, 'and amt got any business
In this mouse at this 'ere particular lime
You can put up your sword, however
until | opens this little cnain cUffln, anL
see how the corpse inside looks. Then
il you've got any business, I'll attend tt
you"
"But this felon's armori' cried the
strauger, sit Is evident that you haVt
robbed the gibbet Of its yictiH, and, AS
am the earl OF this domain, forbid tn,
act. and shall order you under arrest.
The giant dropped the key and rose
his feet with start, while Helen claspe
, her hands IN the middle of the noof, an
gazed anxiousIy upon the cavalier. Ju
: stood close by, looking ON Win mahlles
e anxiety.
, Are you Richard, Earl Of Stanley ?
Q thundered the giant, as his shaggy pro"
! darkenod over his gray eyes, ana al
l. nerculean frame fairly shook with em'
| ton.
i "No," said the cavalier, 81 am th
II elder brother, r ssinaId-"
J. A wild cry JOY burst from the lips
{. FL 4len, and the giant almost sta9gere
= al his words.
e "Thank Godv cried the girl, ''n
d brother is no mur0ererW
IS "Whatp' cried tue earl, "murder?"
o "Hold off, my lordW cried the gian
= his eyes cleaning with pleasure. "K6e
e Quiet for a lew minutes. Those wore
e nave saved your life; let US see if
e can't save another. Quick, Helen; Il
t, blankets; wood on the fire, Jud; /
y have this coffin open in minute"
d With sklllful dexterlty, the gia
seized the KEY aud opened certain linl
d ana joints in the armor, and present
IS threw open the entire cask and tiXtur
about the head, neck and breast. III
l. freight flickered upon tace, cold al
As purple, yet perfectly devoid OF a
l deaLhly appearance. Waddy tore op
at the collar at the throat and carefully e
s. amined the neck.
mi 80, my brother! he is deadw shrek
IN Helen, as She caught glimpse OF t
r. features.
"Not SO fast; not so fast" cried t
Id giant; "you don't know all l kno'
le about hangin' people. Wait Bit"
+. In an incredibly short space of tir
= Waddy had drawn every riyet, and t
n, corpse was set entirely free from t
chains that bound it. He cast I
lie shackles into the middle Of the floor, a
IN quickly wrapped the body, save the ne
so and head, in one OF the blankets.
as Grub his feet, Mistress Helen," cri
" Waddy, as he commenced the same {
T. Grafton with the throat and face OF
ng man. "Jud. caG't you lind some whlst
= lo HALL II