The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-09-09

IKE a oundle, then ne Slung her over nis
shoulder; carried her down stairs and so
through the little garden; and along the close
lane, at the entrance to which stood a cart.
He lifted her into the cart almost as if she
had been farm-beast which he was taking to
market; but he covered her up in sacking so
that she should not get wet and thus drove
out into the open and the wild moor beyond
the village.
The journey took good three hours and at
the end OF that time the cart drew up before
the door of small cottage that stood in the
bleakest part of the moor-a kind of shelter
place for shooting parties and the gamekeep-
ers, when the former came for sport and the
latter looked after the eggs and the Young
broods and tried conclusions with such pOach-
ers might be about. Here the man, alWavs
masked and ALWAYS silent carried poor Debby
again slung over his shoulder Ike 4 huge
bundle or lifeless sack; puttin@ ner down in
the middle OF the floor, while he set 10 work 10
make a fire and to boil some water that stood
there, handy, in kettle, All that he did was
done in a stolid, mechanical kind Of way, wi b
no unnecessary haste, no stirring OF feeling
anyhow, but as a task that had to be got
through no matter what the cost or what the
result. The girl had to be trapped and Sc
cured not killed outright-only kept from
The righteousness of freedom, and if she
died in the process that would not be his fault,
but neither would he hasten nor cause that
death by undue neglect or gratuitous bru-
tally. Therefore he boiled the water in
the kettle, made some hot tea, into which
he put few spoonfuls Of brandy, then going
up to where poor Debby lay, stunned, dazed,
helpless, he took the kerchief from her mouth
and made sign that she was to drink what he
provided.
When shudlering, she turned away her head
she said; " No, lcannotW he gripped her
arm so sayagely that for very fear she obeyed
him and took the stimulant which was to save
her from cold and ague.
BY this time the storm had abated, and the
flying clouds gave glimpses of the moon and
stars overhead. Still the masked man neither
spoke nor removed his disguise, but went
about the little hut arranging this and that
for the better comfort of his prisoner. Food
and fuel were put within her reach enough to
last her for some days-and bed was arranged
in the corner near the chimney. She was not
then to be left to starve and she was MOTTO be
tortured. No, she was only 10 be secured
and left. In truth it was a very safe security
that was enforced. The windows and shutters
OF the little hut were fastened SO that no light
came through them save in narrow Sits and
chinks. FIXED in the wall was a huge staple
aud fastened to the staple was an iron chain.
The man who had poor Debby in captivity
buckled strong leather belt round her waist
then fastened this to the iron chain; leaving
her tether enough to move about the fireplace
so that she could prepare her food and keepup
the fire but not allowing her to reach either
the window or the door She was chained up
to the wal like a wild animal and she might
shrek till she died, no living thing, save the
birds and the mOorland beasts would hear her
Ii was bold game to play, but it was an effect
ual one; and it accomplished with the incest
precision all that it was intended to do.
With the first streaks of dawn the masked
man, giving one last look round to see that all
was as it should be-taking final survey of
the staple-giging final pull at the chain
nodded his head to Debby in token OF adieu,
then left the hut, pulling the door behind him
and lockingit from the outside.
" Trapped cleverly-and eifectually, he said
aloud to himself with grim smile, as he took
off his mask and turned his cold cruel face to
the light. " Now the family honor is saved
and no crime committed"
Naturally there was a terrible cOmmOtiOn
when the girls loss was discovered. The under
game-keeper, Joe Wilson, passing the house
the next morning saw the gate and the
door both open, and went in to find the bird
flown and the nest cold. No one had a doubt
but that she had gone to join Julian in London,
and the most positive Of all was Clarence. To
hear him one might have believed that he had
taken her ticket at the railway station and
heard of her arrival at the terminus, he was so
sure of the whole matter. The thing was
as plain as the traditional pikestaff ac-
cording to him; and no other solution
of the mystery was possible. Hugh Arm
strong and his wife took the same line
and agreed with their brother; but when
James Scambler came home he shook his
head, and said he could scarce credit it of his
girl. There was something in it all so unlike
her-she who had never been other than care
full and thoughtful, obedent and sincere
that he was forced to think twice, he sd d. be-
fore he condemned once; but as he had no
other hypothesis 10 offer, his mere negation
went for nothing. Moreover the circum-
stances Of his own absence told against
Julian and Debby. For when he got down to
that oddly spelt place in the heart of the
Welsh Mountains he found his uncle alive and
hearty with no intention of bequeathing farm
or fold for twenty years to come; while no
neighbor had written any letter whatever sum
moning him to those parts, and the name at
the foot of that which had brought him was
hereaway. And II that did not look
like planned thing to get him out of the way
what was it like! No, the whole affair was a
plan from beginning to end-a stratagem of
the young squirrels to get Debbys father OFF
the board so that he might carry off Debby
herself in safety.
But this fell to the ground sooner or later,
and by means of the family lawyer the Arm
strongs found in time that Julian was limo
cent of the girls disappearance and that
wherever she was she was not with him. BY
IltdlS. 100, u iIG SIlllE lahNtI q ulliLu iltdIu
what had happened at HOlme Wood, and how
one wild stormy night James Scambler had
been lured away TO Wales on a false scent and
Debby had disappeared without leaving trace
behind her. No one could say what had be-
come of her; and if Julian himself did not
know, all the world beside was at fault
More mad than sane, the young fellow put
In motion all the resources at the disposal Of
an English citizen. The police were stirred
IL fra
England rivers we're dragged; lunatic asy-
ums were overhauled; warehouses, refugees
and even prisons were visited, but the little
nut on the moor was left untouched, and no
search revealed the whereabouts of poor,
pretty Debby Scambler. So the time passed
and the trap which held its prey was yet Sc
cure.
One day Julian, who had come down to the
of Holme Wood, but who was
not at his own bome-scarcely knowing where
he was, nor how he got there, found himself
IN the middle of the moor, within a stones
throw of the little hut where the shooting par
les were wont to take shelter, and whence |
he keepers made their lookout. The door
vas close shut; the window and shutters were
astened; all vas as still and deserted-looking
Is the grave; but a faint wreath of smoke rose !
rom the chimney and surely there was a slight |
noise, as of some one stirring within.
Young and brave as Julian was-too de- |
pairing for fear, too wise for superstition, he !
TODD there and trembled. He did not know |
What he expected nor what he dreaded; he |
,nly knew that he was seized with some NOR |
al terror and that he stood by the door eager |
IS hound in a leash when the scent is warm, |
et quivering with the nervous anguish of |
schoolgirl.
A light sigh broke through the stiffness and |
lie heard the rustic of a woman's garment |
nd the tread of a woman's feet.
H. rfa 4la foC I'D and D
Knocked with sharp, quick knock that meant |
S much dread as impotence. "WhO is there!'' |
aid voice from within.
He knew the voice-as love ever does. 1t |
7as what he unconsciously expected-what he |
umbly hoped yet dreaded.
"Debby! my Lowell my darling. 1t is I, |
ulian. God be thanked that l have found /