Weekly Chillicothe crisis., 1881-06-23
state of great disQuietudc concerning

WIS NboNllNNs
81 think that | have told you that
my mother died of heart disease, and
that for years before her death, our
great aim was to preserve her from
every mental shock.
"Imagine, then, my anxiety to re-
turn to her and return safely.
$50 urgent did this necessity become.
that at length | arose, determined to
slip away so softly that they should not
perceive me,
81 had not gone many PAGES, howev-
er, when an angry exclamation from
one of them warned me that | was dis
covered.
81 rushed down the path at the top
Of my speed, without looking behind;
but | heard their heavy feet close on
my heels, and knew that did they but
lay finger on me, my life was gone.
Scarcely had this last thought
shaped itself in my mind, when ny
foot slipped, and | stumbled to my
knees. The next moment | was in
their hands.
"'Spy? Kissed one, fwiously; 'who
sent you hereY
"lf had had any presence Of mind
would have feigned ignorance Of
French; but began to implorc their
mercy, and to explain how happened
to be alone on the Ilohe Felsen.'
"Throw her over the rocks mutter-
ed one of the wretches, 'or she'll alarm
the whole duchy before morning.
That will be the safest plan
"They threw one of their cloals over
my head and began to drag me back
to the High Rocks, despite my fren-
aied struggles.
"All at once there was Il crashing
among the fallen branches, and while
a soft, strong had caught mine,
threatening voice cried out in English,
my own blessed tongue;
"Unhand her, you villains, OF I'll
shoot you through the heads"
81 was whirled in the grasp of the
stranger to his back, and before | could
tear the cloak from my head, the sharp
report of Il pistol told me that he was
as good as his word.
"Whcn | could see | found them all
in a fierce melee, while my deliver, Il
fair-haired young Englislman, cried
frantically:
"'Fly, madame, to the Alto SchIoss
-nyp
"You may he sure Obeyed him. In
five minutes | had reached the old cas-
Tie, and was telling party of French
tourists, who had just arrived, If the
combat going on.
"My mother was wild with alarm.
"She had heard the report of the pis-
tOl, and marked with terror my pale
face and disordercd appearance,
81 calmcd her us well rs could
saying that | had lost the path, and
then | hurried her into the carriage,
and we drove down tothe Baden-Badcn
in hot haste, lest news Of my peril
might reach her ears.
"That night | told my adventure to
the councillor and committed TO his
care letter, expressing my gratitude
to my brave deliver when he should
make himself known.
1--WE left Badcn-Badcn the next
morning, Il telegram from home rcQuir-
ing our immediate presence there and SO
| never met again the llir-haircd En-
glishman. But he did a heroic thing
did he nOt?'
"IIc could scarcely do less, could
he?" replies Mr.. Stanley with deep
red stain in each thin cheek.
Miss Chiswicll marks the grudging
praise, the flushed check, and her face
grows stern.
"That man lives in my memory"
she says, with cold dislnctneSs, while
her large eyes deepen and glow ale
is the one hero whom have mci-the
one man whom | would we'd"
"WOuld you?' murmurs Mr., Stanley,
and he laughs increduously, while his
lips quivec, us if in scor.
AT least" says the lady, goadcd into
hostility by his scant generosity while
that mans noble courage lives in my
heart, | will never love lesser hero.
| shall remain faithful to his memory
forever"
"Perhaps if you would meet him,
you would not love him. remarked
Mr.. Stanley.
"Ah, that should If he were the
poorest, plainest and humblest man on
earth, he would still be my hero"
"But if you did not know he was
your hero-if he loved you madly,
neither knowing you had ever met
each other before"
"Oh, if lie would only love mer
sighs Miss Chiswick, clasping her
, hands, while rich blush bathes her
yearning face. 81 wouldneyer-nevel
mistake himw
[ "Then your heart must sometimes
have pleaded for-me," murmmB hel
companion, IL strange light in his eyes
. "For you? Oh, sir, why are you SC
mad? Have l not told you this story
because l esteemed you too much to al
low you-"
"Miss Chiswick, your hero got The
letter, but after weeks of illness. The
pistol shot which you heard was moi
fired by him, but by one of the rob
bers, and it pierced through the neck
placing his life in danger for TEL
weeks.
"When he shouted TO you to fly, il
. was because he felt himself falling
"IIe was found alone and insensiblt
. by the tourist whom you sent to hell
{ him.
/, "IIe has never been strong or like I
hero since, though l think his heart is
the same; and fear he will never in
: spire love in anyone's soul again-in
3 deed, you yourself have said So"
: This speech, in low, hurried senten
J ces, is over.
l Mr.. Stanly stops, tears in his eyes
Q and turns his face away.
: Miss Chiswick is cycling him wonder
; ingly, speechlessly.
0 Her dark face is white as his own
Q but she takes his trembling hands ant
Y presses them in hers, while her palt
lips smile.
, "YOur letter, you will know i
: again?" breathes Mr.. Stanely, and gent
$ tly withdrawing his hand, he take!
= from his pocket memorandum book