The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-07-20

leS, replleu une woman lHulHer-
emily, as if yes were the same as no.
''All right! come then"
The voice ceased; evidently the
speakers We're moving away After a
few minutes of silence Beatrice looked
up at Ronald, saying:
"What do you think of that?'
81 think those people are plotting
something against me. Beatrice, do
you not think there is Il mystery about
that fire?''
Yes, Ronald, l do. | feel sure the
hall was fired purposely."
Il fancy" said Ronald, thoughtfully,
that the people intend to throw sus-
picion on me-"
"Oh, Ronald! How can they do
that"
Il don't know wicked people can
do anything. But who is that coming
up the road?"
It's little John Halifax" said Beat
rice, " and he beckons to us. What is
the matter Johnny?''
"Oh, Mr.. Ronaldn' cried the child.
Your mother was taken i'll after you
left the house, and wants you and Miss
Beatrice
1--WE must hasten, then" said Ron
aid, with a startled look upon his face;
and they wended their way toward
home.
After the two plotters had left the Vi
entity of Ronald, they moved on rapid
ly but silently till they came to ruin
which had the appearance of fallen
castle. They went into the dilapidated
pile and descended "A flight of stairs APP
parently leading TO the cellar.
Now, Jane said the man speak
ing for the first time since they left the
garden, let us put on these masks, so
he'll not recognize us if he should con-
trive to escape; but | doubt if he'll get
the chance" And he chuckled mali
ciously
"All right" said the woman. but,
John, want the money you promised
me-
well, can't you wait till we see
him?" And the speaker pointed with
his finger toward the foot of the stairs
Let rs hurry and get out of here,
for it seems so damp that shall catch
my death of cold," said the woman,
shivering.
"Well, come"
They travelled quite distance, and
turning TO the right, unfastened the
bolts of a door that had the appearance
of being that of a dungeon. They both
stepped in, closely masked.
"Well, my friend, how do you like
your placer" said the man, addressing
,-o,,,or oOl 1nnl-;po.
whose feet were chained together. He
was sitting beside a table, on which
was placed cup of water and half
loaf of bread.
The prisoner made no answer.
"What is the matter with you?"
asked the man.
The young man was still silent.
"Well, said the other, I'll tell you
this much: 81 am going to marry
Beatrice Hale. Our plot has worked so
successfully that everyone will think
Redster set the hall on fire. But we
kindled it pretty nicely, didn't we
Jane?'
beatrice will not marry you," said
the prisoner.
"Well, am going to make her mar
ry me-" said the man.
You dare not do itr' exclaimed the
young man, his eyes flashing.
You dare me, do you? Well, l
shall ask her tonight
"rll have my revenge, even if | die
in the attempt!'' retorted the prisoner.
You will? Try it, and I'll string
you from one of these beamsn' pointing
to the top of the dungeon.
The prisoner did not answer, but
turned his back on the hopeful pair.
Come" said Jane, uneasily, pull
ing her companions sleeve. ut is
cold here
"All right. Good-by, my friend;
take care to keep the rats from eating
yonr bread,n said the man in a taunting
manner.
80 Johnr' said Jane, as they were
about to leave the dungeon. 1--WE did
not lock this door when we came inn
He did not finish the sentence, for
Jane touched him on the shoulder, and
exclaimed in frightened manner, her
face white as death:
Il saw her! Oh! oh! ohr' And
she began rocking back and forth, and
at last sank to the ground, covering her
face with thin shawl she wore about
her shoulders.
Who was it?' the man asked, look
ing uneasily in all directions.
81 saw her, and she went off in that
direction" exclaimed Jane, inpatient
ly.
well, who is she?' he asked impa-
tiently.
Mrs. Haler' gasped Jane.
"Bosh! She's dead and buried long
ago. But where's that keyp"
Here it isl and the trembling Jane
handed it to her companion.
He locked the door of the dungeon,
and tried the bolts to see if they were
all right, and then they assembled the
stairs and passed through the ruins
INTO the warm, sultry air, which seemed
so ditferentfrom the atmosphere within
those lonely ruins.
Meanwhile Ronald and Beatrice were
seated by the side of Mrs. Redster, who
lay on sofa in her room.
Ronald" she said :" i am shocked,
not i'll. Do you remember Jane Brown,
my former maid? She came to me
early this morning, in great agitation,
and confessed that Sir Lyon Seclar is
at present confined in the old ruins at
the bend, and that the man who i'm.
prisoned him, one John Clancy, is de.