The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-02-10


she said. Il am ready. Is all safe:"-
''Quite safe, madam. The servants have
been in bed half all hour"
''And my father?"
! ''He went to his room at ten o'clock"
! 'Lead the way then: l am ready"
! She fastened the door OF her chamber
upon the inside. but she removed the key of
her dressingroom door and locked it upon
! the outside, afte1ward putting the key in
her pocket.
+. The servant William walked before her
along the carpeted corridor till he stopped
before {; small door. This door opened
upon the servants staircase, which they
both descended.
At the foot of this staircase they found
themselves i'll q narrow passage, at the end
OF which was a low wooden doorway, lead
ing into the street.
| William locked this door behind him,
after having passed out into the street with
Miss Ovington.
"You are very cautious, Williamr' OBJ
served she.
''Thanks, madam. am glad you appre-
ciate my services" replied the man, as he
mounted the steps leading from the base
;nent.
This man did not speak like an ordinary
| servant His pronunciation was correct.
He spoke like a person who had been toler-
ably educated.
He conducted Miss Ovington through two
or three narrow streets, and out on to Broad
way, where they came to coach stand,
upon which We're two Or three vehicles,
which did night duty, were stationed. He
selec led the plainest and darkest of. these;
and, after having given some directions to
the driver, opened the door and handed
Miss Ov;ngton into the vehicle.
He then took his place upon the box be-
side tie driver.
The man drove 'apidly through the streets
ill he reached the Jerry, where he was COM
,,elled to wait for boat. The boat was
soon il, and half an hour after the three
were on the Brooklyn side.
Alter traversing several dark streets, the
coach stopped i'll one darker and narrower
than any of the others at the direction of
William Gorton, the servant.
This man opened the door o. the vehicle
and assisted the occupant to alight upon the
dirty pavement.
1--WE will walk the rest of the way to your
sick brothers house." he said, in voice
which was loud enough to be heard by the
nan upon the box. 1.-The coach will wait
for Us here"
He paid the coachman the fare from New
York.
''You will wait here for an hour" he said,
''nnd you will be well paid for your time.
Now, madam" he added, Offering his arm
to Miss Ovington.
She acceptedit with an ill-concealed shud--
der, which was not lost upon William
Gorton.
''You are very proud, madam" he said, in
} low, deliberate tone; ''but you are obliged
to accept my aid, and, for the time, We are
equals"
He turned into Q dark, narrow court,
which wound snuously like some brick and
mortar serpent, behind the dismal streets
leading down to the river.
The air was sitting and pestiferous. The
Ozark roofs of the houses in this close alley
nearly touched each other. The buildings
were shabby and dilapitated; but late as it
was lights burned here and there in the
dingy windows.
William Gorton stopped suddenly before
flight of broken stone steps, leading down
to low doorway sunk deeply into the earth.
"This is the house." he said; ''foilow
me-
The woman drew back with gesture Of
terror.
I'm afraidv' she said.
The man answered with sneering laugh.
s'You were not afraid Of what was done
herew he said; ''you should not, therefore,
fear to cross the threshold. You doubted
me, and you would be convinced. You
shall hear him!"