Louisiana capitolian., 1880-08-19
BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 49, $780,
to; 10 not be afraid, but take my arm
and walk fast. am not safe here"

and walk fast. am not safe here"
Alice could sec only a tall form and 81
pale face, the features of which she
could not distinguish; but the voice
though hurried, was gently modulated
and the stranger took her hand with a
grasp that was not unpleasant.
"You must DO tired but this has been
good nights work for you, little girl,''
be said.
"What did you want the matches for?
asked Alice trembling.
He had drawn her hand within his
own, and she was walking rapidly be-
side him.
"lt was the only way in Ybich l
could get fire." he answered. "The
heat melted the cement which inClOsed
a bulls eye in the wall of my prison,
and escaped through the cavity. 1t
was larger than the one in the pave
ment. | have been a prisoner in my
own house for three years.
As they left the vicinity of the Tracy
dwelling he walked slower.
81 was quite helpless" he added. 81
! knew of no QUO to appeal to whom
could trust. But listening aud waiting,
as man only listens and waits for
freedom, grew familiar with your steps
as it passed so often over the bulls eye
and up the steps, and week ago, when
! heard your voice to that beggar.boy,
! resolved to trust you:9 l knew your
| tread the instant that it touched the
curb-stone, and | slipped the paper up
the crevice. You saw it Immediately.
The hours till you came passed heavily !;
you were my only hope. You are a
brave, good child. Now, where is your
bome' Can I go there for little
rest before daylight?
"It is poor place." said Alice, "but
you are welcome"
Daylight was dawning when she re-
vealed her poverty stricken little room
to him. He flung himself into chair
and dropped his face upon his folded
arms on the table. Alice fancied
that he was praying, aud moved about
noiselessly, preparing little breakfast.
She did not realize that this man was
young and handsome, and it was not,
perhaps, propriety to have him there.
She was only Jealous, iH her pity. to
serve him, seeing, by daylight, how ill
he looked. o
But by noon there were strange do
ings in the little sewing girls room. She
had been sent for a lawyer, the most re.
nowned and popular one in the city,
and he came with two other gentlemen,
so grand that little Alice was quite awe
stricken. Finally, Mr.9 Lionel Tracy
that was the name of the bero-went
away with them, and she was left alone
with cher poverty and wonder. Only
she was not quite so helpless and dis.
tressed as she had been, for one of the
strange gentlemen smiled upon her,
and left few pieces of gold on her
table.
But the marvel was all over with her,
and tie gold was spent, and poverty
and care came back, when, one day,
there was a kpock at the door, and the
]andlady's little girl said that carriage
was standing for her, and man in
waiting said that she had been sent for.
What could she do but obey the sum
mons ? wondering what fairy it was
that luxurious ride--until she began to
see through il, for the carriage stopped
at the Tracy mansion. o.
There had been great public excite
ment-the papers had been charged with
ths development of the infamous plot
in high life, whereby the true heir of a
great fortune had been drugged, while
i'll, and concealed, and story 3rumped
up fhis mysterious disappearance but
Alice, in her solitude, had known nothing
about it. Her pennies went for bread
instead Of news. But when she stepped
upon the threshold, Lionel Tracy, the
restored master, met her with tender
courtesy that took away all her fear, and
made her feel like little queen in the
midst of her splendor. a.
"Have the rest all gone away 7" she
asked, seeing no one but new servants,
and pleasant woman, who was the
house keeper. G T tl't
"Yes am quite alone, and shall he,
unless you will come and live with me-"
said Mr.. Lionel Tracy.
"Do you want sewing-g girl y asked
Alice. innocently. 17 #. tf ..
"No; l want a wife," he answered !;
zone whom can love with all nv heart