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

compliment to you, though. There, tuck
up your hair safely out of sight in the
crown; don't show any of it, on any ac-
count. Now Tor the shawl; close up to the
throat-so. l should not know you from
Martha herself at yards distance, if did
not see your features Now, Martha, old
girl, I'm just going to lock you in this room
a little while-only little while, you know,
for will leave the door on the landing
open. Benefit will be sure to find you by
and-by; as, if you don't make your appear
ance below, he will no doubt seek you here,
guessing that something is wrong. Nay,
Martha, as she rose from her seat in great
trepidation, Il don't wish to do anything
ungentlemanly | do not at all fear your
giving an alarm from the window; it is too
strongly barred for you to force il. You
wouldn't like to take Miss Wintock place,
[ suppose?" pointing to the pallet from
which l had released her. every well.
Then keep quiet, and no harm will come
to you of this. You can tell Mr. Wintock
that you were overcome by stratagem and
force, if you like We will leave you the
light, as we can do better without it.
The hint was sufficient Perhaps, too
in her heart the old creature might not be
unwilling that her charge should escape.
Before had done speaking, Miss Wintock
and [ were out in the long corridor. The
door was locked on old Martha, while Miss
Wintock carried the dish and cover, to en-
able her to impersonate Martha as faith
fully as possible.
'Now for it once again" [ said to my
companion; ''and [ trust with better luck
But you must be as cool as you can, and
keep your wits about you. A hitch now
will spoil all; for l fear this is your last and
only chance. Whenever you feel inclined
to faint, think of your liberty or lunatiC
asylum"
''Do not fear for me" she whispered; 81
will do my utmost, or perish in the attempt
They shall not tear me from you second
time"
every good Be as quick as you can
till we reach the last turn at the bottom OF
the stairs Then, if the coast is clear,
will 90 forward and reconnoitre."
Hurriedly whispering these and othel
hints, | led her to the turn of the stairs
and then went forward by myself. A few
seconds afterwards Martha's double came
limping down and along the passage int
the scullery as directed. The impersona
ton was excellent and complete, and bu
for the serious stake at issue, [ could have
laughed outright However, this was nj
time for indulgence in levity, but for nerve
watchfulness and action.
The outer door of the kitchen passag,
stood open Benefit usually left it so Will
he went to get the horses and vehicle ready
for his masters [ stole softly towards it
to get bird s-eye view of what might be
going on without, endeavoring the while tt
arrange some definite plan of proceeding
A rapid glance informed me that the elder
Wintock had not yet departed. The gig
with the fine high-bred mare he was accus
toned to drive, still stood in the yard. The
animal was a noble specimen, of great
strength, speed and spirit; but would stand
as quietly as a lamb in the Hall yard while
awaiting its masters pleasure, though it
required a strong hand to hold the ribbons
when once upon the road Benefit was
busily engaged in the stable saddling and
bridling Mr.. George Wintock's horse.
could hear his 'Whoa, Dandy p and other
CALCULATIONS, less amiable, in his broken
English, as the animal seemed to be giving
him some trouble. In another five minutes
he would bring him out into the yard
equipped ready for his rider.
Instantaneously an idea whizzed through
my brain like flash Of light, upsetting
whatever of scheme or intention | might
have already formed In a second [ was
at the scullery door, whist now, quick.
Here; take my arm. Jump into the gig
the moment you reach it. Trust me for
the rest
Miss Wintock looked up at me in Won
derment, but Immediately obeyed.
Out at the open door and across the
yard with Miss Wintock on my arm. ''In
with you, Miss; quickly, for dear lifel'
She needed no second admonition, but
half lifted by me, sprang nimbly into the
vehicle. | was about to follow; but, as
ill-luck would have it, we were not to get
away so easily. The mare, hearing our
footsteps, had begun to paw the ground,
impatient of delay; and the face of Ben
ETH Immediately appeared at the stable
door Probably he thought his master
had come out, and might require his ser
vices.
/ should have been unconscious of the
fact, but in stepping into the gig, Miss
Wintock slightly turned her head and
caught sight of the Italians swarthy Wis
age. Her short suppressed cry and eager
finger at once pointed out to me the cause
of her terror Benefit comprehended the
state of affairs at the first glance, and with
fierce whoop came rushing at full speed
to sieze the mares head. There was not
time for me to mount. Stepping forward
pace or two, and exerting my utmost
strength, | dealt him a buffet which fairly
balanced that which he had dealt me at
the Hall door, followed up by kick upon
the shins, as he staggered backward and
fell, literally yelling with agony The
mare snorted and began to move. Snatch
ing the reins, sprang into the gig; and
had just cleared the yard, as George Win
took came rushing out to ascertain the
cause of the disturbance
CHAPTER Nv.
We started off as for dear life. At first
the mare SHE'D little, and seemed inclined
to be troublesome. But she found that it
was a practised hand that held the reins,
and resigned herself to obedience accord
ingly. Instead of driving down the aven-
ne to the gate which led into the village,
and which was only about three hundred
yards from the house, turned off sharply
on leaving the yard, and chose the gravel
road which, leading to the principal en-
trance of the mansion, passed on through
the entire breadth of the park, to another
gate on the far side of it, and which opened
into the high-road By adopting this
course, the odds were considerably in my
favor, for hoped to reach the park gate
and emerge into the high road before any