The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-06-09
snv,binc ,hot | can do" she then said to the

nv scrons illness in his own family, and near
m;dnicht the assistant, going his rounds
found Aymer Preston dead IN his bed.
lbs either make believe or heartoreak,
Dr. Putpev said, sharply, when word was
brought him, and lie ordered that PreSlon'S
body should be kept wrapped in blankets
and not removed till he saw 1t,
The order WAS Obeyed, hut when 'hree DAYS
saw no change in the form, DR.. Puiney nav
ing meanwhile examined it, it was removed
to the dissectingIoom.
I Marion Hydes window commanded vie"
of this mysterious and horror.inspiring apart
mcnt. As she stood at her window that night
she thought with vague thrill of pain OF the
one cold, still tenant of that terrible room.
She was not timid, superstitous creature
nor by any means given 10 nervousness; SO
when she saw the window of the dissecting
room slowly lifted, and gaunt, wild lace APP
pear at the opening, instead of screaming or
/ running away, she stood still. She knew that
| her heart was throbbing wildly, but she knew
also that il was no phantom she looked upon
/ DR.. Putney had been right all the time. Ay'
mer Preston was not dead, and thus he was
making one wild effort for liberty. Marion
| HYDE stood and watched him.
! She could not have called out Just then II
| he had been the most depcrate and hardened
criminal IN those walls. BESIDES, the poor
wretch was only hooking himself. lie could
not escape, even now, unless by miracle
She saw him stop presently beside window
which opened into an upper hall, ana, after
an effort, raise II, and slowly drag himself
through.
Obeying an impulse which she could not
ut that moment control, Marion softly opened
her door, and passed on without her crutch,
for fear of the noise. She reached the hall
Just AS this poor wasted creature, after brlel
rest, was urging his halfparalyzed limbs to
renewed effort At the sight Of her he gasped
and dropped IN a swoon, and Marion hurried
to his side She dared not leave him, SO she
waited, rubbing his cold hands between her
tender palms, till he at last opened his eyes,
and she made him comprehend that she want
ed him to come with her.
81 won't go back to prison" he whispered
between his set teeth.
"You need not" she said, simply, and led
him to ,,,r own chamber.
There was positively no other place that
was safe from The strict search that she knew
would be instituted rs soon as ne was discov.
cred missing. She procured him some gar
ments which had belonged to her brother
and she got him some food that would be
safe for him to eat after his long fast.
increduous wonder of a child
What has been the matter with me- he
asked after awhile. Il could not stir any
more than though was dead, but | knew all
that was going on about me. Ugh, 1t was
rrigh,ful waiting there in that dissccting
room | believe 1t was only the horror or II
helped me to break the frighttul SPELL
81 suppose you were in sort Of atrance,"
Marion said thoughtiully,
"What are you going to do with me? he
asked again.
81 don't know, am sure She said with
sigh But you are safe here till can think.
~ don't expect you to believe me, but l
am as innocent Of the crime for which was
brought here AS You are"
Guilty or innocent pity you, you are So
young"
Concealng him till the hue and cry were
over, Marion Struggled him through The gates
in a woman's dress and with basket of
soilcd linen. And so the mystery Of Aymer
Prestons escape remained.
The years moved On. Marion was %, Her
father was dead Her IGolized brother had
persisted in brawl She was alone in the
world an invalid, living on the mercst pit
lance earned with her needle, but the same
sweet.facel, swcet-voccd girl who had won
the hearts of the prisoners II 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 young
Ialy, and something in the young girls bright
face drew Marions glance unconsciously
Where had she seen those eyes, SO large and
so intensely black?
"Wny do you look at me so?" asked the
young girl, with RdtcC eagcrness
4 l,,r,
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 HE resemblance
now quite strong" aud Manons face flushed
with emotion. Perhaps you are related TO
HIM. His name was Aymer Preston
oh" cried the young girl, springng up,
" and YOU are lame, and your Aamc is Marion
Hyde. Tell me, isn't it? | knew II, oh,
Robert, what will you say
She vanished from. Marion's astonished
eyes, with the words on her lips. She was
back, however, In Il trice and with her came
n tall, dark-haired, heavily bearded gentle
man.
Marion Hyde? Is it possiblc?' he eX
claimed, clasping both the liJtlc trembling
hands in his and putting them over and over
again t. his lips, which were quivering With
emotion. Surely you know me?'
"Nou-you are Aymcr Preston siam
mcred Marion.
:" | was Aymer Preston, | am Robert Lies,
son \ relative of my mothers left me his
property on condition Of my taking his name.
have searched for you vanly, Marion Hyde
! Ny prosperity has been bitter to me till now
find YOU. On you shall! never touch needle
or work again"
/ NO, indeed, you shall not" chimcd in she
who had been the means of this happy IeCog
aiiicn; and, rs she said it, both her arms
were around Manon's neck, and she was sob
/ bling and kissing her alternately. Robert
always said he would never marry anybody
but you, and you'll have him, won't you
dCaryn
. "Ihayc proved my innocence " tla; charge
! of roLbing my guardian" said Robert grave
Ily. But it was long before could do so
! | followed up the man whose testimony con
yctcd me, ill he lay dying, and he gave q
me a written confession of false witness. Ny