The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-02-17

Lionel reached the solid walls, and
felt about them. What availed 1t
He had released himself from pain
full position of body; but, farther than
that, what avaied his freedom from
bonds Was he any nearer to actual
libertyY He could not feel that he
was.
"I am shut out from light and life
and hope," he cried agonizingly. ooh
the devllish malignity of that villain !"
What should his prison be but living
tomb? He was to die slow, torturing
death between these walls, according to
the purpose of Valasquez.
He shouted loudly for help; but the
sounds only came back to him, mock
ings of despair. Long Lionel continued
to grope about, but at length he sank
upon the tioof, hungry, fatigued, and
utterly despairing.
Sleep overcame him, and for some
hours he lay locked in its embrace. He
awoke to renew his cropping about
the walls.
Would he continue that, only to
drop down exhausted at last, and die ?"
he asked himself.
Probably his action was instructive,
like that of the prisoned bird that fiut-
ters its wings against the bars of its
cage. Perhaps he had given over all
hopes of escape; but for all that, he
could not lie down calmly and perish
But Lionel Cashel was not to die in
this manner.
AT last secret that the false master
of The Cedars had never discovered, of
which he had no idea, was made appar-
ent. Lionel's blind groupings were not
in vain Suddenly there was harsh
grating sound, and he felt the rush of
fresh air.
He had troubled spring, and had
caused square in the seemingly solid
wall to swing away. After that it was
but the work of an instant to find the
aperture.
He found the opening abundantly
large for him to crawl through. He
raised himself slowly to it, and in
another moment was out of the prison
room.
Lionel looked about. A short distance
away, he saw outlined faint square of
light. He made his way to it, and found
1t to be, as he had supposed, a window.
1t looked out upon the grounds behind
the stone mansion.
Lionel returned to the secret door.
He closed it, and that which had been
intended for his tomb was sealed again.
He cautiously removed the sash of the
window. Just to one side of it were
the clambering branches of huge
grapevine. 1t took Lionel but few
seconds to lower himself to the earth.
1t was night, and it had been twenty
four hours, fully, since he had been
carried from the crimson room by his
foe.
All was quiet. The stars twinkled in
the heavens. The great mansion stood
outlined against the sky. Not even
breeze rustled the foliage OF the trees.
How fearfully calm the scene was
Heaven cannot always smile on
that villain" thought Lionel. "His
day of doom will come some time"
y
1t was the wedding eve of Victoria
De We're and Vincent Sherwood. The
De We're mapsion was brilliantly light
ed, and it was gay scene on which the
lamps shone. There was quite crowd
of people, some of them from the neigh
borhoOd, but most of them invited from
Baltimore. The false master of The
Cedars was in attendance. 1t was part
of plot that he should be there. Other
wise his anger at Barbara Lindsey
would have kept him away.
The solemn ceremony that made the
twain one flesh had occurred. at the
appointed hour.
The guests presently repaired to the
dining-room, where sumptuous repast
was awaiting them of which they pro-
ceeded to partake. 1t was nearly finish
ed when Valasquez, glancing down the
long table, beheld a face that startled
him some.
l am fool STILL" he thought. 81
saw that man once before, and let his
resemblance to him frighten me 70
But after supper Valasquez sought out
Robert De We're.
!" You have a guest here whose name
/ wish to know" he said.
swell ?" Robert returned.