The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-11-28
"Go, Leo" said bis master, and the
obedient dog trotted of down the path


call that day to receive a thousand
pounds that she wished him to deposit
tor her; and Parkins. her nurse and
housemaid, let the maid-servants all go
off to o fair in the village, "where they
will certainly get mischief" Mrs. Har-
ringtou said
But when Lima had talked to her and
made her laugh little she forgot her
grievances and chatted away very pleas
antly. At 10 o'clock she declared she
had laughed till she was tired and Lima
must give her her drops and let her go
to sleep. ~
'sThere! the spoon is gone. Where
can Perkins have put it2 Child, would
you mind running down int, the pantry
and bringing ms spoon2 would ring
for Parkins, bu. she told me she wanted
/ TO get up some muslins this evening and
would come up as soon as she had fin-
ished."
Lima did not altogether like to pass
down the long stairs and silent entries
leading to the pantry, but she went and
Leo trot,ed' after her As she stood 10
the pantry looking around for spoons
with no light but faint gleam from the
hall lamp sound OF low voices caught
her ear.
The pantry was on the ground floor,
its irou-barred shuttered window look.
ing into the garden The sound was
outside the window and Lima paused to
listen: the first word that caught her ear
startled her.
"a thousand pounds and all the old
woman's jewelry and plate" said 6
mans voice in husky undertone.
"Ycs," was the reply in woman's
vo;ce-the voice Lima knew OF Parkins
Mrs. Harrington's model, soft voiced
lady-lilIe nurse-"and there won't be
any trouble about 1t, because have lie,
The women 90 away TO stay all night and
sent the gardener on FOOLS errand to
misses brothers twenty miles of"
"But this girl that came tonight
what about her ?" asked the man.
"Oh, she will 60 to her room present.
ly and stay there il she is wise. Shed
he no hindrance any way-a silly, timid
lit lie thiny. But it's as well to let her
get out of the way" said Parkins COOL
ly.
"But see here, Molly, why rot do i;
nowp Then we'll have more time TO
get away before daylight" said the man.
81 tell YOU it is not safe before /
O'clock" Parkins said positively. "Peo-
pie may come in. Sir Robert don't like
her out of his sight for long. and tina
idiotic young Marsden may come moon
ing in. Wait till half-past ii and the
west door here will be open. And Jim,
look here, when you get this sWag yon
are to take me with you your wife,
mind
The voices grew fainter evidently the
speakers we're moving away from the
house. But Lima had heard enough.
sick with terror she leaned against the
pantry wall q mement and tried to think.
What did it all mean2 Robbery, mur.
der 1! and no help near. Her first instinct
was to fly out of the house and across
the field to the hall; but her absence
would be Instantly discovered she knew,
and then poor Aunt Margaret would b.
alone with those wre,ches. No, she mus,
not go-hut to stand here idle would be
no good She dew along the halls and
up stairs, Leo pacing bv her side. Al
Aunt Margarets door she paused and a
sudden thought came to her; she would
send Leo home for help.
"Where is the spoon, child? How
long you stayed. Good heavens! wha'
is the matter ?" cried the old lady as she
saw the girls white. terrified face. Lins
began some evssive answer, but ins tsnt.
ly remembered that Aunt Margaret mus,
te told the whole story or nothing could
be done to save her; she did tell il, and
Aunt Margaret listened in silent con.
sternation, and then burst out impetu-
ouslv with:
"Good heavens. child! Why didn'
you run right home ?"
"Because knew Parkins wouli he up
here in few minutes and find | was
gone. and then"
"Ah. vel; so you stayed to save the
old woman if you could. What are you
doing, ch'ld2 Why don't you lock the
door and pile things against it2 Good
Col, il l was just abe to rise out OF thi:
bedm
But Lima did not speak for moment
She had found pencil aud paper and
was rapidly writing few words. Wher
she had finished
| "Now, when Parkins comes tell he
I'm to sleep on her couch here in you
room and she must GO some where else
I will be back in moment. Leo
Out Of the room she darted and dowI
to the hall door, which she unbarred ant
passed through. Then. kueeing in tn
shadow Of pillar on the portico. sh
tied the note tightly 10 her handkerchie
round L,o's neck.
Sac put her arms round his neck afte
that, kissed his forehead aud half-so
, escaped her.
''Is that you. miss ?" said smoot
voice from the ball. "Whv, whateve
are you doing in the dark there ?"
Lima sprsng up as if she had bee
, shot -r.
D rI'm sending the dog home," she sale
speaking quietly, though the throbs G
her heart shook her whole frame "H
=. is restless here without his master. G
e home, Leo, straight home, SIR"
r The dog, with one farewell lick Of be
hand, bounded down the Steps and var
: ished in the dewy darkness OF the sun
me r night.
"Oh. God! let him GO safely an
: swiftlyp' prayed the girl in her heart.
Then abe went in and helped Parkir
bar the door and they went together U
stairs.
It Aunt Margaret lay very quietly on h'
It pillows, but with her black eyes CLEAN
ing.
o Perkins was silent for one instant, ar
d then began a series of expostulatiol
which no one would heed, and final
: the civil nurse prepared the couch (,
Lima aud took herself off, observir
!. sweetiy:
III Miss Leigh will leave the do
V ajsr can hear call from this room ar
i will come instantly"
8 "Thanks, Parkins, but | hope sh'
q not have to call you," said Lima spea
1 - n