Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-04-13


opened her door, and passed on with
out her crutches for fear of the noise.
She reached the hall just as this poor
wasted creature, after brief rest, was
urging his half-paralyzcd limbs to re-
newed effort At the sight of her he
gasped and dropped in swoon, and
Marion hurried to his side. She dared
not leave him. so she waited, rubbing
bis cold hands between her tender palms,
till he at last opened his eyes, and she
made him comprehend that she wanted
him to come with her.
II won't 60 back to prison. he wills
pered between his set teeth.
"You need not, she said, simply and
led him to her own chamber.
There was positively no other place
that was safe from the strict search that
she knew would be instituted as soon as
be was discovered missing. She pro-
cured him some garments which had be-
longed to her brother, aud she got him
some food that would be safe for him to
eat after his long fast.
He regarded all her movements with
the incredulous wonder of child.
"What has been the matter with
me p he asked after awhile Il could
not stir any more than though | was
dead, but | knew all that was going on
about me. Ugh it was frightful wait
ing there in that dissecting room. | be-
lieve it was only the horror of it helped
me to break the frightful spell"
Il suppose you were in sort Of
trance" Marion said, thoughtfully
"What are you going to do with me y
he asked again.
II don't know, | am sure" size said,
with sigh. "But you are safe here
till | can think"
81 don't expect you to believe me,
but | am as innocent of the crime for
which was brought here as you are"
Guilty or innocent, pity you, you
are so young"
Concealing him till the hue and cry
was over, Marion shrugged him through
the gates in woman's dress and with a
basket of soiled linen And so the
mystery of Aymor Preston's escape
remained.
T. 4
The years moved on. Marion was
twenty-five. Her father was dead -
Her idolized brother had persisted in a
brawl. She was alone in the world an
invalid, living on the merest pittance
earned with her needle, but the same sweet
faced, sweet voiced girl who had won the
hearts Of the prisoners in the gloomy
abode of which her father had been
warden
One day she was sent for, to see about
some embroidery. She was received by
a young lady, and something in the young
girls bright face drew Marion's glance
unconscously. Where had she seen
those eyes, so large and intensely black =?
why do you look at me so ? asked
the young girl, with naice eagerness
"You remind me of some one I have
known" Marion answered simply.
"No one ever accused me Of looking
like any one but Robert BEFORE" laughed
the girl.
"Ah, yes you do. | see the resem-
blance quite strong now" and Marion's
face flushed with emotion. "Perhaps
you are related to him. His name was
Aymer Preston.
"Oh ! cried the girl, starting up. "and
you are lame, and your name is Marion
Hyde. Tell me now, isn't it. | knew
it. Oh, Robert, what will you say?
She vanished from Marion's astonishod
eyes with the words on her lips. She
was back, however, in trice, and with
her came tall, dark haired, heavily
bearded gentleman.
"Marion Hyde Is it possible ?" he
exclaimed, clasping both the little tremb-
ling hands in his and putting them over
and over again to bis lips, which were
quivering with emotion. "Surcly you
know me?
"You-you are Aymer Preston, .
stammered Marion
II was Aymcr Preston, | am Robert
Liesson. A relative of my mother left
me his property on conditin Of my taking
his name / have searched for you vain
ly, Marion Hyde. My prosperity has
been bitter TO me till now | find you
Oh ! you shall never touch needle OF
work again"
"No, indeed, that you shall not" said
she who had been the means Of this hap
Ply recognition; and as she said it both
her arms we're around Marion's neck, and
she was sobbing and kissing her alter
natcly. Robert said he never would
marry any one else but you, and you
will have him, wont you. dear 2"
II have proved myself innocent Of that
charge Of robbiug my guardian said
Robert, gravely. "Bnt it was long be-
fore | could do so. / followed up the
man whose evidence convicted me, Till
he lay dying, and he gave me written
confession Of false witness Ny guard
ian paid him TO injure me. He wanted
me out of the way. will not be so alb
rupt as to ask you to marry me now, but
as this rash sister Of mine has said 50 much
| can do no less than testify TO its truth
| have always loved your sweet face,
Marion. shall never cease 10 wish il
my wife's face till that wish is realized. ="
And then he left Marion 10 his sisters
petting and soothing.
"This morning | was alonc--not a
friend in the wide world, but now