Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-06-08
. EXEMPTION
WoMAN'S POWER.
WRITTEN FOR TIE ISTELLlGFSCER.
CHAPTER XIV


After Tracy said this. he waitedto see
what effect 1t would have on Lima; but
he did not have the pleasure OF Witness
ing the slightest betrayal of emotion, for
what she suffered in that dreadful mo-
ment, she bore bravely and, in reply to
his words. she said:
Then. Tracy Myrtle, will die, for
death is preferable to union with one
whom detest as do vou.'
Her words, spoken so firmly, aroused
the lion of the mans nature. and he said:
Miss Maynard. as do not wish the
sin of your death to rest upon me. !
think l. shall marry you--and within an
hour from this time"
These words so terrified Lima that it
was several moments before she could
speak when, presently. she could COM
mand her voice. she said:
..Will YOU not wait until morning
Let me have one more night alone. in
which to think over this. your last con-
clusion. Then, if | do not answer ia-
vorably, do with me as you like"
Tracy, imagining there was humility
in the girls voice. and supposing that
she WAS soitenlng toward him. granted
her request; but. before leaving the
room, he told her he wished her to be
ready at an early hour. Then he took
both her hands in his. pressed them to
his lips, and told her that when he WIS.,
tied her again, it would be to claim her
| as his wife. Lima suffered him to talk
to her thus. but the Kissing voice of the
dreaded serpent would have been less
offensive; vet she felt it would not be
well to provoke him just then, Tor the
only hope OF escape depended on his
leaving her alone. After he ft.and she
had locked the door on his retreating
torn. she knelt down beside the window,
raised her eyes to heaven.and remained,
for long while, deeply engaged in
PRAYER. Toward the last, unable longer
to restrain herself, she cried out:
"Oh, God. Thou who atilicts, and who
always sends an angel after to comfort
look down on me, with mercy. in my
deep misery for. without thy help. my
heart, that would be strong IN faith. al
most fails me, and | feel that unles.
Thou art present, must sink Into utter
darkness. out of which | shall rise nc
more; then help me. Father, help me.
| Presently Lima arose, and every trace
Of her recent agitation had passed away
leaving her calm, though sad. On con
sulting her watch she found that 1t wa:
nearly twelve. the hour appointed by
IIagar to meet in the garden. She quick
ly dressed herself in walking suit;ther
going to her trunk, took all the money
she had; she also drew forth 4 small
silver-mounted instrument, unsheathec
and examined it. This she concealed il
ther bosom, murmuring:
| 81 trust | will not have use for thi!
weapon; for God knows l would hate t.
see It stained with blood drawn by my
own hand.'
She was ready. now, to leave; so
with slow step, she went out, locked th'
door after her. and put the key in he
| pocket Then she descended to I1agar'
room, and she had gone out. BY this
the young girl knew that the old woman
was waiting in the garden. She hastene'
to the outer door. which was only hal
closed. left so, she was sure, by the ol'
creature who was going to befriend her
and to whom she was so thankful. LIN
glided cautiously out, crossed the ricket,
veranda, and descended its steps int
the garden. When once fairly on tn
ground she ran down the path so fast sh
came very near falling over Hagar. VIII
was crouching beneath the clump of ros
bushes. Catching hold of the old ne
gro's hand, Lima hurried her along, say
ing, rs she did so:
Let US lose no time in quitting thi
place. Every moment is worth NOR
t than you imagine. have much to tie
II you. when once we are away from here
Come, let us be off,"
Hagar took the young girl by one hand
Ii with the other she touched the secre
<. spring The little gate flew back, an
d the two women stepped out The CAT
closed itself with clicking sound. an
the escaped victims found themselve
e alone, out in the night. with broa
e stretch of land before them. which e'
d tended for miles; but by the clear. fu
light of the moon. they could see sma
y white cottages nesting on the bosom
g the green. fiower-checkered earth. 81
: there was no kind hand to help them OF
|. OF their distress, and, for while. the
were at loss to know what course
r. pursue. Suddenly Lima recollected th
IS she came to the castle by certain road;'
u she had full view of it. every day. fro
her window. she remembered it we'll, {
they proceeded that way, walking rapi
" ly along. Lima relating her last intervie
20 with Tracy. When she had finished h'
story, she exclaimed:
II ooh, Hagar, if am saved from IL
wicked power of that man. shall ow
4. it all to you.'
as "Now, chile, don't you talk bout da
, for you is Maynard, you is, and VIII
49, is it dat dis ole nigger won't do for h
good masters grand-child."
l. ''HusIl, dear aunt Hagar. and do n
y. say such things; for when think tina
after all. may be mistaken, it is almo
more than l can bear; yet, for the la
five or six years. have labored fait
., fully to find my grandfather, and.
living, to throw myself at his feet, al
intercede for my own dear father. al
A' thus bring about reconciliation betwet
o. them. Should the gentleman. Haga
HI, prove to be the one l am in search {
v. I shall be happy. indeed; yet, if he
not, l will continue my search, NJ
when. by my own exertions. 1 obta
b Al