Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-16
GALES and sketthfs.
BLACKMERE HOLLOW.

Nv no Is lueIcE
"All right let me in" was the answer
from without.
There was adead silence of some sec
onds. Then ! heard the bolts withdraw.
looked out of the window, but saw only
a dark form close against the door, which
opened at the same moment TO admit 1t.
What MYSTERY was this? The story Bella
had told me. the shadow across the moon
light, this strange visitor, formed combi-
nation in my mind filing me with insup
portable dread. | opened my door, and
could hear The murmur OF voices beneath.
No longer master of myself. ! crept down
stairs and listened.
Mrs Chfford's chamber was at the back
of The dining-room. 1t was thence the
sounds proceeded. could hear the con-
versalion quite plainly now; and This was
what heard:
You'll give me up to the police il do
not instantly quit he house P the stranger
said. You don't dare to do it. II had
peached on the trial you'd be at Ports
mouth yourself now. 1t wasn't for yuur
sake didn't. but for poor Brlla's."
Are you not ashamed to mention that
poor girls name p said The father.
''Not half as mucE AS YOU ought To he.
retorted the stranger 'P, rhaps # had
been lett to myself should have found
enough conscience to have spared her;
but Won, thinking / wasa rich man, iurerd
her upon me- Ii was the bitter. bit. Un-
fortunately you were the only victim
But come; IT is 10 use wasting time in
talk. | must have money. The pursuit
is hot and if I'm caught | shall swing
higher for killing the SENTINEL and if J
am caught shall take good care that YOU
don't get off this time. Bat stay mo-
ment First of all have serious ques-
lion to put to YOU. While | WAS lurking
about the road waisng for it to get little
later, saw my wife coming up from the
lakeside in company with a man. lie had
his arm round her waist.
There was a pause. Then Mrs Cliff
ford's sharp queruious voice said
why don you tell him al once it is q
gentleman whom Isabella is going to be
married to? II can't make any difference
TO him; he can never claim her"
80. so, my worthy pair, You are going
to add to your other pecadiloes by little
bgamy. cried the stranger.
but not with Bela's knowledge" in
terposed Mr. Clifford quickly. II imposed
upon her a belief of your death. Come.
come. Walter. as Mrs. Clifford says, you
can never claim her; it cannot make any
difference to you, and il will render her
happy"
What an internal rogue you are Clil-
ford II | deserve fourteen years, you
deserve hanging. Well. be it SO; You
sold her to me, | II sell her back to you
but shall want a good stiff price"
this pannanf NV Alteration was lis-
tracted from the dialogue by sound be-
hind me. turned my head; there was
no light in the passage, but could per-
ceive white object standing at the foot
OF the stairs. | stretched out my hand
and grasped another, cold AS ice. No
need Of light to show me To whom it be-
Ionged. threw my arm around her just
in time to prevent her falling. | carried
the fainting form up to my room aud laid
1t upon couch, struck light, and used
such restoratives as were at hand.
In a few moments she opened her eyes
and looked wildly about her.
Take me to my own room" she wills
pered.
could see the reflection of my face in
the glass opposite--it was as white aud
ghaslly as her own.
You have heard all P" | asked.
''Allm she answered.
"Dress yourself quickly" said rapidly,
''let us lily at once; We can leave the
house while they are engaged in CONVEX
sation."
She shook her head and muImured:
at is all over!'
This must not, shall not. make any
difference to our plans y | cried imprtu-
ously "IIad this wrttched mau arrived
two days latef--even had you slept sound
ly tonight. you would have been uncon-
scious OF his existence. Win you suffer
such petty chances as these to destroy the
happiness OF two lives?
While spoke she sat staring into va
cancy, with her face rigid aud colorless as
a statues. A hard sob and another head
shake was her answer.
cast myself at her feet and clasped her
hand.
II will not loose YOU" cried. you
are mine. no power on earth shall separ-
ate US God has united our hearts; He
only shall sever them in death"
LAY, death sewers all ties, does it not -
she said vacantly.
Her looks and tones frightened me more
than would the widest despair.
LET me go 10 my room" she went on
II feel faint and drowsy. | must have
sleep-sleep;' and she attempted 10 rise
to her feet, but fell back again.
What was TO be done? She must not be
discovered in my chamber. in so equivocal
position to talk to her in the present
paralyzed condition OF her faculties was
useless. Aud what restorative so likely to
prove efficacipus as sleep? WHAT greater
blessing could | pray TO fall upon her at
such an awful crisis.
And so led her to her room. As she
crossed the threshold she turned back aud
kissed me, and said "Good-night dear, 5"
as calmly as though nothing had happened
| caught her in my arms and kissed her
dassionately. then she closed the door.
and | saw her no more.
] had scarcely got back to my own
chamber when ! heard a stir beneath, then
the outer door softly opened. again ex-
tinguished my light. peered cautiously out
OF the window. and saw dark form glide
up the road. He was gone Then.
sat down and endeavored to realize
my position. to think it out, to form some
plan OF action: but found myself to be
incapable of collected thought; all was
confused and shifting. Could also but
obtain little forgettuiness it might com.