Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-09-17

source Tor any mAn2n argue to myself
IA ballif after ali is only man.
commence cogiIstion over ali kinds d
plans until give myself headache.
am about to confess that / sm defeated
when the idea 50 long sought Tor comes
l see il all In moment. IL will lure
him 20 the Wilderness and look him uE
in the ruins till father comes home! lie
will most likely bring young Mr.. Barton
with him. and then we shall be all right.
think that real laSyer must prove
moro thar ny baiiff can withstand.
The Wilderness is wild. deserted
spot ., tho end of the grounds, and fsr
from the road Ii has been allowed Ia
run wild on account OF its picturesque
ness. A broad. fussy stream falls over
some rocks to the depth OF six or seven
ieot. making terrible noise, and widen
ing into small lake on the bank OF which
stands mock ruin covered with ivy. II
consists OF a solitary tower with two or
three narrow slits for windows, ani re
ioioes In the name OF the Keep. re-
member With Joy that il had stout oak
door With very strong lock.
Icsoep out softly through the conserva.
tory, locking the door after me, aud
dodge between the shrubs until have
placed safe distance between myself
and the flower garden, where / hear my
victim walking. In breathloss state OF
excitement l reach the Keep. l push the
door open and enter. Ughl Whs. O
nasty, damp, miserable plsce it is-jas;
like a dungeon in sono OIL castle There
is nothing inside but spade and rake
and an old garden s,ool-those carefully
remove. hesitate over tho stool, bul
compassion is overcome. NO" ! say to
myself, "ouI YOU must go! II he is tired
he mus; sit on the ground. You would
be too handy SIS batteying-rsm and
throw it ou, sltor the spade and rake. -
My next proceeding is to carefully ex-
amino the lock. This neSrly foils met
is SO stiff that can hardly turn il. am
at q loss what 10 DO when catch sight OF
small bottle OF oil and feather stand
lng in little ledge. joYlully seize
them. jus. the thingW | cry. The
bottle il very dirty and sticky, but sm
too excited TO heed such petty discOm-
forts, SO pull out the feather and begin
10 oil the lock. l make my self In an
swtul mess. and it is such slow work get
ting the OF! into the LOCK through the KEY.
hoe.
"Oh, you nasty. tiresome thing 1 cry,
psssionately stamping the ground.
Who or the lock ?i And turning
around l behold my victim regarding mo
With slightly Sstonished yet amused
look. l am too much nonplussed 10 ro-
ply.
Can assist youi" be inquiries; and
without waiting for my permission the
bottle and feather sTs taken from me and
my voluntary assistant, noedless OF the
dirty moss.coyered step. is on his knees,
busiy working away at tho lock a. Il he
had been a lscksmlth sl his life He
works on quietly tor liti,e time without
speaking. while | stand by confusedly
trying 10 think OF some means By which
1 can trap my game. There is the prison
and there is the prisoner; but how IS hc
10 be put inside it "Whs, strong LOCK
this is should not care to be behind II
withou, crowbar." be remarks
answer nothing, but am ready tC
cry for vexssiou. wish that was q:
strong as an elephant, 80 that nigh
push him In i.Oleiss CoienS.
Il think you will 6nd it sll right, now
1t is still little stiff, but you will be ablt
to turn IT,"
And. arising from his knees. the vic
tim faces me with grave iaoe. which al
at once breaks into An irrspressible smil,
of amusement lbs. be Vainly strives L
conceal.
hush GngrilY at what ] consider BIZ
impertinence. Atterwsrd, whom go,
myself In the glass, my wonder is 70
moy ed-my dross all tumbled and creased
is smudged all down tho front with greer
moss and rust, while across my forehead
J is great streak OF dirty oil 1 suppose
, | must have used my greasy hand as 81
! impromplu hair brush, without thinking
of the Improvement was adding to m,
beauty. My voluntary assistant stoop
{ 30 clean his hands, and ss he is wipi1l
them on his handkerchief, notice yer,
! handsome antique ring on the little inge
OF his right hand. Seeing my look. b
remarks;
81 sm rather proud OF this ring;
; has been in our family for generations
| 1t is very much admired by connois
/ sieurs." and he holds it out to me for in
spectioD.
i decline to look AT n. coldly obsery
ing that was no antiquary; and
smile 10 myself at the idea OF baiit
; talking of generations" as if be hal
r ancestry. lie turns away as il to return
. to the garden.
'Now or neverr 1 say to myself; an,
. with rapid beating heart began: