Middletown transcript., 1877-08-11
Size walked into the BALCONY.

She walked into the balcony.
"Why did you come by the back
stairs2D she continued; eyou know
they are not safe. Well, on your arm
anywhere"
She stepped into the boat, and sank
down once more into deep slumber
The boat, insecurely fastened, got loose.
and foated out into the stream. AT
this moment the village church bell
tolled the hour of twelve, and the food
gates were opened.
Her father and Frank, hearing her
steps, rushed into her chamber, and
out upon the balcony, too late to save,
but in time to witness her fate. The
pent-up waters burst forth in torrents,
and, foaming into the river below,
overwhelmed the boat and its living
freight in the vortex of the Devil
Holll
=
It is said Providence watches over
the somnambulist; and 50 it proved in
Mary's case, for the boat was dashed
by the mad waters into cavern, the
retreat Of the peachers; and, though
the boat was shattered, Mary received
no injuries beyond a few bruises.
Again was she fortunate in the fact
that when thus rudely cast into the
Cavern its only occupant was a wretch
ed old woman, who washed and cooked
for the poachers-haying been the wife
of one Of the gang who was killed in
an encounter with the gamekeepers.
She was alone-the poachers being alb
sent upon one of their nocturnal ex-
peditions. She was very much sur
prised at finding Mary there, but not
more than Mary was, whose senses
were returning.
"This is not my fathers cottage"
she murmured, gIancing around at the
gloomy cavern and the rushing river.
@How came l here? Am I in dream9"
she continued vaguely.
"You must have been borne down
yon vortex by the whirlpool" " answer
ed the woman. "The boat has over
shot the water, and you are now safe.
"Oh, kind preserving Providencep'
exclaimed Mary, fervently; abut still
/ do not understand. IF am not in
a dream, let us to my father; he will
explain all. You will show me forth r.
Il would serve you with pleasure"
answered the woman, "but am myself
captive. A plank bridge is the only
way across, and that is upon the other
side The men pull it over there when
they go
as there no other way?"
"I know of none-save one, replied
the woman, and smiled.
(which is it y asked Mary, eagerly. !
The woman pointed to the craggy |
cliff.
'fYonder wild staircase Of slippery |
rocks" she said. "I've heard it said,
that once noble knight did from this
cavern bear captive lady up that as
cent, to save her from the demon of
the Holl-but that's an idle romance"
"True, for such deed seems impos-
sible," answered Mary, shuddering at
the steep ascent as she gazed up
"Those steps are not for mortal feet
deaf must be the ear to the waters
roar, end dim the eye that looks down
on the abyss. Ny brain is giddy at
the thought, and with the whirlpool
turns"
A dreamy langour came stealing
over the blue eyes again.
Il cannot but imagine some spirit
guided me to this abyss" she murmur-
ed. "For in my dream, and dream it
was, it seemed to me as though Nue
flame danced gracefully before me,
such as I have seen playing on the
morass; it resembled those, but of
deeper blue, like a wreath Of violets
braided in the sun, and often from its
beams peeped forth the features of my
my dear dead mother, inviting me to
there it is again!" !"
"Where ?" asked the woman, in awe.
"At the entrance to the cave now,
advancing; don't you see it?'
mo"
"It is for me alone, then Yes; and
the cold sleep comes over me again"
Her eyes became set, and the trance
seized again upon her senses. "I'm
coming, mother-I'm coming!"
The woman thought her mind wan
dered.
"Hap continued Mary, abstracted-
ly. "Frank Chockley alivel Oh, stay,
mother; I'm coming now!''
And she began the dangerous ascent
of the cliff before the woman could
prevent her. Upward she glided-a
fragment Of rock crumbled beneath
her feet, and dashed into the water
but she had stepped lightly upon an
other, which sustained her firmly and
50, step by step, like a pale phantom,
she passed away from the awe-stricken