The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-14

ard Joined his young master, liking the
lights in the boat as best he could. Sew
eral hands pulled at the gunwale; off she
glfded on the circling forbid food.
Mr.. Dixon came forward, calling to his
son. He insisted upon whispering in his
ear:
"You will do no good with her, if you
do not take the boy"
he had dropped his voice, that the
words might not reach Mrs. Sibbert.
"He is not here, "iroughiy answered his
son. Il can not wait"
Two pairs giant arms were pulling
now. Stroke upon stroke drew the boat
through the broad, slowly swelling
waters. If sharper eddy caught 1t,
.wrenching it for a moment, vigorous
rowing forced it straight again. The
torches had to-be shifted aft; their glare
blinded John Dixon, when, turning his
face, he tried to peer ahead. 1t was not
an easy thing to hit the opening Of the
Grange hollow. The scene, in the dim
light, was very strange; the slopes and
dales seemed changed, SO far as they
could be seen at all. But by taking heed
of Two star-like CLEANS aloft to the left
hand, showing the position Of Prospect
House, and calculating from the dark
mass Just discernible on the ridge, which
they knew must be the fir-tree spinney,
some clue for steering was got. Soon
they hal another fearful help-a special
roar told them where the food was pour
ing down from Red Hill Gully.
Steering by this last ill-omened direc-
tion, they made the opening of the
Grange corner. The wafer was more and
more troubled, covered with foam. All
WAS dark. John Dixon's heart stood still,
as he half believed the house was bletted
out. But, in a moment, his straining
eyes detected it, though it WAS SO small
that it was hardly recognizable. Only
the upper portion of the Grange was Wis
ible above the water. As they drew
nearer, strange watery lashings mixed at
intervals with hard humping knockings,
could be heard going on behind the house.
On they urged the boat, right to the
front Of the submerged dwelling. David
WINS tiiC uloo W o. SpCdAs
He said: .....
"The trees washed down have caught
at the back. They'll heap up there till
they're too heavy, then it'll all come to-
gether." ..s. -...
John Dixon's answer was shout:
"Miss SibberlP' ...
He repeated the name, roaring it above
the din Of the food. The last pull of
the oars brought them into bit of quiet
er water just under the second windows
He rose to his feet. ......
"Kate!" was his next call, his terror
making him drop all ceremony. "Where
are you7 There's not a moment to spare.
1t is John Dixon. Katel" he repeat
ed, "do you hear?"
For moment all remained silent in
side. Slowly--oh, 30 slowly the glim-
mer of "a light came into the third win-
dow.
At last Kate appeared on the other
side of the small panes, looking like a
ghost in the reflected Light OF the candle
in her hand. The easement would no.
open-the fastening was amiss.
| "Go to the other window; thatis open"
shouted John Dixon.
The easement yielded.
"My aunt is worse" said Kate, speak.
ing almost calmly, shielding the candle
from the wind with her hand. "She i,
in the green-room, clinging to the bed
where my grandfather and grandmother
both died. She says she will end there.
| can not leave her. Hark! she is sing
ing" q-a ,-.... s..I
In second she added: ...
"Is ma safe?'
By listening towards the open window
those in the boat could just hear the
high pitched notes of a crazed woman,
singing, in some room farther to the
west side, hymn set to an old-fashioned
tune. But John Dixon did not stay list
ening. ID"
"1he house is in danger, fr-trees are
lodging against it. You must come
| Kage." .,.. ..I. .l.-. ........ g..
"My aunt will not come. God must
protect u.s." was the answer. "lf there
is risk, you are in danger, John. Ge
away; at least, go some distance. God
will protect lis" she firmly repeated.