The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-02-24


friends would never guess where she was.
The man who had abducted her, and
held her prisoner, was wealthy, respect
ed, and beyond suspicion.
What wonder that poor Barbara almost
despaired.
She had no means of estimating time,
save by instinct, so she did not know
what time in the night it was, when
Varcor entered with waiter bearing
food. Upon the waiter were bread and
butter, pie, jellies, part of a roast fowl,
and bottle of wine.
Barbara was awake, and mechanically
glanced at what Varcor had brought.
She beheld something there, besides the
food, that stirred her numbed faculties.
1t was knife, keen and sharp; how
keen and sharp, Varcor had not noticed,
else he would not have brought it,
Barbara advanced toward the man.
A wild thought had flashed through her
brain. A way of escape had suggested
itself, yet ii was dreadful resort. But
how could she endure to remain here
Suddenly she snatched the knife, and,
before Varcor dreamed of her purpose,
she, with strength and courage born of
the dread fears in her heart, struck him
with the blade full on the breast.
He staggered, and, with groan of
pain, fell PROSTATE to the floor.
Varcor had locked the door behind
him but Barbara snatched the key
from his grasp, and with trembling
hand unlocked it.
Heaven grant that have not killed
him !" Barbara thought; "but L was
mad with despair, and could not keep
from striking"
She glided out into the dark hall.
May the merciful father guide my
stepsl" was the girls prayer.
Doubtless it was answered.
Barbara could only glide on, not
knowing in what direction she was
going.
All was quiet, and there was not q
sound to tell whittier to direct her steps.
On she went from one hall to another.
She reached a stairway, and descend
ed it.
And yet all was dark and still around
her.
She continued to proceed noiselessly.
AT length she came to place where
ray of light shone through a key-hole.
Barbara crept past, She reached the
door that opened out to freedom. But
it was bolted and barred.
Cautiously Barbara turned the great
key that she found in the lock. Then
she began taking the heavy bars from
their fastenings.
Her heart beat wildly; for she felt
that in another moment she would
breathe the air of freedom.
But, at the last moment, a bar dropped
from her grasp, and fell to the floor with
a crash and, before the trembling girl
could open the door between her and
liberty, that of the library swung wide,
and flood of light streamcd out into
the hall. Henri Valasquez appeared,
holding lamp In his hand. The light
fell upon the shrinking form of Barbara,
and he beheld her.
"Shades of the demons" he cried,
"what does this mean 2'
Valasquez sprang toward Barbara, but
before he could reach her, the entrance
door burst open with crash, and in
stantly three men entered. One was
tall man, with long red beard.
80 Mr.. Victor!" exclaimed Barbara,
springing into his arms, save me from
that man |"
"What means this 2" cried Victor
hoarsely, with terrible anger in his
voice.
He carried me away by force" Sob
bed Barbara, ''and has been holding me
prisoner. He wants me to marry
him."
The two men who had come with
Victor advanced toward the astonished
and frightened Valasquez.
Henri Valasquez, you are our pris-
oner, said one. "We arrest you for
the murder of Lionel Cashel."
Then ensued a wild struggle. 1t was
of short duration, however, and ended
In Valasquez being securely handcuffed.
80 Mr.. Victor ~ Barbara tearfully
entreated, when the struggle was finish-
ed, stake me away from this dreadful
place, to my friends, Ito Victorial"
Then her sobs became more violent.
=" But you must search first for that
man 1 stabbed, and see whether or not