The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-08-18

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tant; the other, at which l generally stood,
commanded a view Of the whole park.
Rural scenery is to me at all times an ex-
quisite delight | have stood for hours at
that ancient Gothic window, gazing upon
the grand old trees and broad expanse of
sward decked with bright spring flowers,
and listening with enthusiasm to the melody
of the countless merry song birds that broke
upon the stiffness of that dreary mansion.
One evening, just at dusk, [ was leaning
out, watching the fading twilight, and
deeply intent upon the liquid music of
couple of nightingales, which had taken up
their abode in a cluster of trees not far
from the house, and were warbling their
ravishing strains with thrilling effect in the
solemn stiffness of that deserted park. AS
1 listened to them, some tiny scraps of
material of fine texture, apparently cut or
torn from lady's dress, dropped futtering
past me from above. On looking up [ be-
held-attached to an improvised line of
the same material, consisting of strips tied
together, and which was evidently let down
from an upper window white pocket
handkerchief loosely folded. [ could just
discern hand signaling me to secure the
handkerchief. Though startled, lost not
moment in doing so. The line was with
drawn, and the hand Immediately disap
peared. Shutting the window, | struck
light, and sat down in no little haste to as
certain what this might mean. On open
ing the handkerchief, [ found the interior
covered with writing in large characters,
not inscribed with pen Or pencil, but SEEM
ingly traced with piece of coal or por
tion of burnt stick. With some difficulty,
[ deciphered the writing as follows:
SIR:-I beseech you to pity and aid an un
fortunate lady, imprisoned in her own house,
and deprived of her rightful property by the
grossest villainy. Ifyou are gentleman, be
the instrument of my release. NeXtroom but
one to the roOf-same size and arrangement
of windows as your Own-locked in.
MARIA WNTOCk.
Then the tale | heard at the Three
Mays has some foundation after all, | in
wardly exclaimed as every nerve trembled
with excitement. Retolding the handker-
chief, | leaned back in my chair to cOgitate
upon this strange communication. 'The
Hall is indeed haunted, yet by no spirit,
but by being of flesh and blood. This
is no maniacs epistle; nor was the appari-
tion in my room freak of my imagination.
No wonder the young lady disappeared so
suddenly. All, Mr.. Wintock, that is your
scheme, is it?-a prisoner till she accepts
the hand of your worthless, profigate son,
and then her fortune will be a nice plum
to relieve you from your difficulties. |
wonder you have not killed her outright;
but [ suppose that would not serve your
purpose. Help you, poor lady? Yes; that
Jack Meredith will, scapegrace as he has
been, if he has but half chance. But
how"
Ay, how? There was the rub. My
duty forbade me to leave the house for as
sistance, and if did so might not be able
to effect an entrance again; and supposing
this gained, might she not in the meantime
be spirited away far beyond risk of discoT-
cry? Should [ resort to open violence,
the odds were terribly against me. Geo.
Wintock, doubtless strong, active fellow,
in ripe manhood; his father an antagonist
by no means to be despised, and that
brutal-looking Italian, who seemed to pos
sess the strength of second Hercules.
That scheme would not work. What
should [ do? How communicate with my
fair and oppressed correspondent?
After some consideration, it occurred to
me that unless prevented she would doubt
less be on the watch for some kind of reply,
and that [ might avail myself of the same
method of communication which she had
tried with success. Taking out my pocket
book and tearing from it dozen leaves, I
wrote on one of them as follows:
MADAM am only bailiff in possession,
but heartily at your service. | will be at the
window o-morrow night when the Hall clock
strikes ten. Tell me how | can assist you.
If you are prevented communicating with me
then, let the little scraps fall as before as soon
as an opportunity offers. will keep sharp
lookout. Your obedient servant,
j. MEREDITH.
Tying this and the blank leaves, along
with piece of stout twine for her use in
future communications, in a roll with one
of my pencils, and extinguishing my can
die, [ re-opened the window. All was
quiet without; and attaching her white
handkerchief to the end of my walking
stick, [ thrust it out, and waved it back
wards and forwards several times. The
signal was perceived. The easement above
was softly opened, and the line was again
let down. Looping my note safely to the
line, [ had the satisfaction of seeing it
ascend to its destination. 1t was eagerly
clutched by the occupant above her win
dow was again softly closed and [ retired
but not to sleep, for every sense was
straining with tumultuous excitement.
On the following evening, faithful to my
promise, was at my window a few minutes
before ten As the Hall clock doomed the
last stroke, felt a small roll of paper secure
in my hand, and as before, retired to
peruse it,
GENEROUS SIR-I am wretched. Oh, help
me, for the love of humanity! am threaten
ed with the most horrible fate, unless con-
sent to be dragged into union with the
younger Wintock, whom | utterly loathe; or
to make over the greater part of my property
to him and his father. They have more than
once limited at immuring me in private luna
tic asylum for life. Such things have been
sane. Can you not procure assistance and
free me from these wretches? Surely the law
is sufficiently powerful to protect you in aiding
defenceless, but grossly abused and oppress-
ed lady. | have now been here several years,
and hope is all but extinguished. They have
kept me constantly locked up in my room
since the night succeeded in reaching yours,
as l had hoped undetected. Previous to
then. was only confined to the upper suite
of apartments. l entreat you not to desert
me. Oh, contrive some means of setting me
free, and earn the everlasting gratitude of
NJ. WINToCK.
P. ST. will let down for your reply at this
time tomorrow evening, unless prevented.
Beware of Benefit
"Well, thought I, "this is an adventure.
But how is it to be accomplished? After
much consideration, l fancied that [ had
hit upon a scheme, and determined to
communicate it to Miss Wintock, and, if
cba +bouuht faacihla mt If in nractica