Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-19
NO. 3O3.
Gales ano Skettbes.
A LUCKY ESCAPE.
Continued from yesterday.)


to be found where ] was Idarted forward,
opened another door-which | hoped led
from the room-and found myself in q
large, low closet with small window in
it. | had shut the door after me before l
perceived to what the egress led, and
was about to open it and 60 out again
when Iheard mans footstep in the cham-
ber, and thought it better to remain where
was. A harsh voice said:
"The gal will have all the money now,
you may be sure, mother. There won't
be more than paltry fifty-pound legacy
for you and father-and she with them un-
told, heaped-up riches You think of
what | said, and how jolly we should be
across the 'herring-pond.
Don't talk of it no more, WILL" re-
piled the voice of Mrs Wheeler. at
amt to be thought of. The old lady has
always been good and kind to me- l
would not have a hair of her head in
iured."
'.Who wants to hurt her?" was the
rough reioinder. "Only Isay it's shame
for that gal to cut you out of your life's
earnings-for that's what it's about"
"Well, we'll see," said the woman-I
thought with reluctance and hesitation in
her tone-''we'll see. Now take what
things you want, and so and don't come
back till tomorrow night, nor yet before
10 then. You might have been seen by
Miss Corbould to-day if hadn't my wits
about me.h
lie muttered something that sounded
like curse.
Come" she added, "take what you
left and let us go. | must see you safe
out of the house before Mrs. Keith rings
for her breakfast-and it is past her usual
time now"
where's the gal gone?n he asked.
"To church, so we are safe from her.
But make haste
believe she did see me, and that Mrs.
Keith will be told I'm here.n was the re-
ply. If you do as | advise, we have no
time to lose.n
"She didn't see you. or she d have asked
who you were-she did so once when she
saw the gardener in the kitchen; and l
don't think she'd make mischiefif she did.
She's not bad sort, as you say, WILL"
A drawer was opened, and after a min
ute or two heard them leave the room
and shut the door. trembled lest
should hear q KEY turn in the lock, but,
happily for me, it had long been lost. AS
soon as a profound silence made me feel
secure came out of my hiding-place and
flew along the passage till | found the
stairs, which descended in great haste,
only breathing freely when was in my
own room again. Then | sat down to
think.
There could be no doubt that Mrs.
Wheeler's son had either escaped or OBJ
tained a ticket of leave, and was actually
in the house-nay, had slept in the desert
ed rooms. And what was the advice he
had given his motherP Surely to rob my
aunt or kill me . Thus | understood his
words resolved instantly to start for
church, the services would be over prob
ably before | reached it, but would see
Mr.. Denham the clergyman, and could
tell him what had heard, and ask him
what to do. put on nay hat at once and
ventured forth in my households, taking
care to keep out of sight of the windows
as hurried off.
| reached the church just as the congre-
cation were coming out, and found to my
dismay, that Mr.. Denham was from home,
and that the clergyman who had officiated
for him had just driven Off on his return
to his own parish. | was terribly vexed.
| went down to the parsonage, however,
and, on seeing the DOCTORS old servant.
asked her if she would let me write line
there, to her master, as | had a message
for him. She consented civillv, gave me
paper, pen and ink, and, while l hastily,
wrote my story to DIR. Denham, dried my
wet boots by her fire.
Before left, | asked her if the alarm at
the park were rung, could the villagers
hear it. She replied, ''Ycs''-she be-
lieved it had been heard many years ago.
But why did | ask? l replied that l was
afraid of burglars, and wished to know if
help could be obtained.
Having her promise to give the note to
Mr.. Denham on his return-which would
be the next morning, she told me-l again
set out on hurried walk home, but ar
rived there so late that Mrs. Keith had be-
come alarmed and a little cross at her de-
layed dinner. Wheeler was with her,
looking, thought, "a little anxious.
$50 You went to church after ALL" said
my aunt, when had apologized and ex-
planned that had been detained at the
rectory while my boots dried. 'You had
much better have amused yourself by ex-
plorin. the old honse or walking up and
down the corridor
"Oh, but wanted to get some boot-laces
in in the village, | replied, (which | have
done. or | should have been kept i'm again
tt-IlltiTOW Ch soiut utf ttth ECe
Mrs Wheeler to show me the house."
As spoke, perceived the anxious ex-
preston pass from Mrs. Wheeler's face.
wheeler is i'll, you will be sorry to
hear" said my aunt, accounting for her
house-keeper's waiting on us. Mrs.
Wheeler tells me he had sort of fit last
night. want her to send for the doctor,
but she thinks he is better, and only needs
rest"
Dinner over, took a seat near my aunt.
and, first conjuring her not to tell any one
what was about TO communicate and not
to be alarmed, related my adventure of
the morning She listened with amaze
ment and apprehension.
c ..He can mean nothing but wickedness -
she exclaimed a J "a Ised. '.He is one
of the most unscraPalous villains l have
ever heard OF. To think of his being free
again and taking shelter here We might
as well--or better-have loose tiger in
the house. Jane Wheeler is an idiot to be
!. so infatuated with that vile son Of hers.
She is and always will be a mere instru-