The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-09-07

with a low cry, something caught hi
hand and dropped at his feet; then
girls voice said, in whisper of terror
"Save me! hide mel they will fin,
me if you don't! They are following
me, 1 know
Ranger raised the girl, and, actin!
on impulse, led her to his cottage. A
they walked along she said:
"As l was running heard yol
calling me. That was you, wasn't it i?
"It was my music you heard" h
answered.
"Your music?" she repeated, sim
ply. 81 don't know what that is"
cottage, with it; wholesome ehG garden r,,'o a
sweet-smelling flowers. Rainger strucl
light, then he turned and looked a
his companion. He started back will
an involuntary cry; for, in the CIR
fronting him, he seemed to see his
wife again-the same shape of face
the same light of gold hair, the same
soft, blue eyes, only in these there was
a strange pleading, questioning look
a look which seemed to say: "Whert
am 1? Oh, save mev'
lie came near and his hand fell on
her shoulder. He started again, fot
the shoulder he touched felt warm and
wet. He looked down and saw that
blood was soaking through her thin
dress.
"They beat Inc So" she said, "that
| ran away tonight"
"Who beat you?" he asked.
/ don't know; but they did beat
me, and made the blood come"
Then the whole truth flashed upon
Ranger. About five miles off was an
asylum and the girl TO whom he was
talking was an escaped patient.
" You won't let them take me from
you, will you?" said the poor thing,
grasping his hand with painful earn
eStneSS.
again his wife seemed to be looking
at him out of those eyes. His wife's
voice seemed to whisper through the
room: "You must keep her and be a
father to her for my sake"
What is your name?" he asked.
Kate"
[ will never let them take you from
me. Kate; but you must always do
what l tell you; if you don't they will
fini you and take you away"
And beat me again2"
Yes, worse than ever"
Then he looked at the poor mangled
bo ly and dressed the wounds. | am
writing of time, happily past now,
when the unfortunate inmate of luna
tic asylums underwent horrors which
it now sicksnS one to think of.
lie made Kate lie down upon his bed
AMI then casting himself on the floor
fe.l into broken, uneasy sleep. FL
naily when the dawn had well come,
AMI birds were talkative, he rose and
went to look at his charge; she was
sleeping as peacefully as child, one
hand half hidden in her long gold hair.
Alr. Ranger felt that something very
precious and very beautiful had come
t. him, but what was he to do with
it? Fortunately there was one person
in the village who loved and trusted
him, and whom he in return also loved
and trusted. This person was not
beautiful to look at, and also she was
old. Her name was Martha. He re-
solved to take her into his confidence.
She had nursed his wife through her
long and fatal illness, and had been his
friend ever since. Unwilling himself
to leave the house, as soon as it was
light he sent out one of the bows of
the village to Martha, asking her to
come to him at once. She COMPLIED
with his request, and, While Kate con-
tmued to sleep, Rainger and Mrs
Wakefield talked Of what was to be
done. One thing was clear, that. if
possible, kate'S presence in the cottage
must be kept secret. Mrs. Wakefield
would send in some fresh clothes for
the poor girl, and when night came
Rainger would take those She now
wore, and which seemed to him n
badge OF the asylum, and bury them in
some wonderful caves close at hand.
holding in their depths miles of night
and darkness. When Kate awoke
Martha went to her, washed and
dressed her, and shuddered over her
poor, wounded body. When she was
dressed she was brought to see Rain
ger. She babe him go0d-morning and
put up her face to be kissed
AS a rule Ranger prepared his own
breakfast; to-day Mrs. Wakefield
saved him that trouble. Kate's was
taken to her in an inner room, lest
any Of the neighbors should catch
sight of her in their passing by.
1t was little work that Ranger got
through that day. SO occupied was he
in studying his charge. Mrs. Wake
field had lent her picture book, which
seemed to delight her. Once in the
course of that day, when she was
alone with Mrs. Wakefield, she said.
hXlng her eyes intently on that good
woman, and speaking in tone which.
III its intensity, corresponded to the
look in her eyes: Where's Tom?"
She had heard Mrs. Wakefield call
him by his Christian name.
"Do you want Tom, INV pretty ."
answered the widow.
Yes, want Tom," replied the girl.
dreamily. Then she fell to looking at
her hands, as if they had suddenly
grown strange to her.
Mrs. Wakefield went tor Ranger
who was not far off. The girl threw
her arms about his neck, buried her
face on his shoulder and sobbed and
laughed by turns. Then she asked for
the music, so he got his violin and
played to her. AS he PLAYED
it seemed as if her poor
spirit, wandering in lands lit by dubi-
GUS lights, echoing with unioyful
laughter and sad singing, haunted bv