The Osceola times., 1877-03-03

spring apartment. As she stood at her
window that night she thought, with a
vague thrill Of pain, of the one cold,
still tenant of that terrible room.
She was not timid, superstitious
creature, nor by any means given to
nervousness 10 when she saw the win
dow of the dissecting-room slowly lifted,
and gaunt, wild face appear at the
opening. instead OF screaming or running
away, she stood still. She knew that her
heart was tbrobbing wildly, but she
knew also that 1t was no phantom she
looked upon. Doctor Putney had been
right all the time Aymer 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 desperate
and hardened criminal within those
walls. Besides, the poor wretch was
only mocking himself. He could not
escape even now except by a miracle.
She saw him stop presently beside
window, which opened into an upper
hall, and after a long effort raise 1t and
slowly drag himself through.
Obeying an impulse which she could
not at the moment control, Marion
softly opened her door and passed out
without her crutch for fear OF the
noise. She reached the hall just as this
poor wasted creature, after brief rest,
was urging his half paralyzed 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, 80 she waited, rubbing
his cold hands between her tender
psalms, till he at last opened his eyes
and she made him comprehend that she
wanted him to come with her.
81 won't 60 back TO prison." he whis-
pcred 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 institute as soon as
he was discovered missing. She pro-
cured him some garments which had be-
longed TO her brother, and ~ she got
him such food as would be safe for him
TO eat after his long fast.
He regarded all her movements with
the incredulous wonderment of n child.
"What has been the matter with me-?
he asked, after awhile. 81 could not
stir any more than though was dead,
but knew all that was going on about
me. Ugh! it was frightful waiting
there in the dissecting-room. | believe
it was only the horror of it helped me to
break the frightful spell"
suppose you were in sort of
trance" Marisn said, tn. .ughtfully.
"What are you going to do with me?"
he asked again.
don't know. ! am sure" she said,
with sigh; "but you are safe here till
can think"
"I don't expect you to believe me, but
am rs 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
were over, Marion smuggled him through
the gates in woman dress with a basket
Of soicd clothes. And so the mystery OF
Aymer Preston's escaped remained a
mystery.
The years moved on. Marion was
| twenty-five. Her father was dead. Her
idolized brother had perished in 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 war.
den.
One day she was sent for to see about
same embroidery. She was received by
young lady, and something in the
young girls bright face drew Marion's
glance uuconsciously. Where had she
seen those eyes, so large and so intensely
blsckY
"Why do You look at me soY" asked
the young girl, with naive eagerness.
You remind me of some one have
known" Marion answered, simply.
"No one ever accused me of looking
like anybody but Robert before, laughed
the girl.
"Ah, yes, you do, see the resem-
blance now quite strong" and Marion's $
face flushed with emotion. perhaps
you are related to him. His name was
Aymer Preston"
"Ohw cried the young girl sptinging
up, "and you are lame, and your name
is Marion Hyde. Tell me, isn't itY |
knew it. Oh, Robert what will you say?"
"She vanished from Marion's aston
ished eyes, with the words on her lips
She was back, however, in trice, and
with her came tall, dark-haired, heavi.
ly bearded young man.
"Marion Hyde? Is it possible?" he
exclaimed clasping both the little trem-
bling hands and putting them over and
again to his lips, which were quivering
with emotion "Surely you know me p
"You-you are Aymer Preston" STAN
mered Marion.
81 was Aymer Preston, | am Robert
Leisson. A relative of my mothers left
me his fortune on condition of my taking
his name. have searched for you vain
lv, Marion Hyde. NV prosperity has
been bitter TO me till now ] find you.
Oh you shall never touch needle or
work again."
No, indeed, that you shall not"
chime1 in she who had been the means
OF this happy recognition; and as she
said it, both her arms were round Mar
ions neck, and she was sobbing and kiss
ing her alternately. Robert always
said he would never marry anybody but
you, aud you'll have him, won't you,
DEAR"
II have proved my innocence Of that
charge Of robbing my guardian" said
Robert, gravely. "But il was long be.