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

had made off, they retired into the house
I overheard enough of their conversation,
however, to inform me that it was Benefits
hand which had struck me to the earth.
| watched the window of George Win
took S bedroom till saw by his shadow on
the window-blind that he had entered.
After while, the light was extinguished,
and [ concluded that he had retired to rest.
[ knew that he, his father and the Italian
were heavy sleepers, as they were accus-
toned to indulge in deep potations at night.
| How it came about that Benefit had frus-
trated my scheme, [ never was able to
fathom.
Having reached that part of the prem
ises which [ judged most convenient for
my attempt-a low abutment, used as an
woodhouse-I lost no time in cautiously
climbing on to its roof, which [ was able
to do very easily, as its lowest edge was not
more than seven feet from the ground
Fortunately, none of the rooms in which
the inmates slept looked out upon that
particular angle, so that l did not much
fear detection; if l could only make pro-
gress noiselessly, and attain the higher roof
before daylight, [ could then hide behind
its high parapet. Dark as was the night,
or rather morning, it was sufficiently light
for me to see what [ was about Slowly
and with some difficulty, [ dragged myself
from roof to roof till | reached stack of
chimneys that rose side by side few feet
from the parapet, and which had been belted
with an iron girdle, and fastened with thick
iron rods to the wall just below it. By the
aid of the rods, | managed to reach the
parapet just as the dawn began to break.
Here [ was compelled, from sheer exhaus-
ton, to lie down short time and rest in
the leaden gutter inside Trul y, was in
but a sorry plight-my apparel soiled from
crawling in the shrubbery, and from clam
bering over the dirty roofs, and saturated
with the blood that had flowed freely from
the blow | had received. began also to
feel extremely faint from exertion, loss Of
blood and excitement. What would be
come of me if strength failed me? might
lie and die and rot on the summit of this
old mansion before any one discovered me.
Yet not for one moment did thought
cross my mind of showing the white feather
and giving up the adventure my feelings
were indeed too overwrought for this, part
ly by an almost blind infatuation for the
hapless Miss Wintock, and partly by that
longing desire to retaliate, which, whether
rightly or wrongly, is generally felt by any
one who has been put hOrS de combat at
any unfair advantage.
A little rest and the cool, fresh morning
air somewhat revived me, and | commenced
creeping along the gutter. With my pock-
et-knife [ loosened the leaden frame of Il
pane in one of the garret windows and ex-
tracted the glass; inserting my hand, was
able to undo the catch and obtain ingress.
Finding the coast clear, glided soft y down
to my room, locked myself in, bathed my
head aud face, and laid myself down awhile
to rest my weary bones and aching head.
[ was much bruised, but could not help
inwardly chuckling at the surprise the
Wintocks and their swarthy coadjutor
would experience during the course of the
day, when they found that, in spite Of his
summary election, Jack Meredith was once
more the Man in Possession.
And great indeed was the CONSERVATION
of Benefit when, on waking about midday
and feeling urgent need of refreshment, [
walked down into the kitchen, where he
and Martha was sitting at dinner. Neither
heard me approach, as [ purposely trod
softly Martha had just helped the italian
to a slice of mutton, when, slipping in, |
coolly took chair and seated myself at the
table. Both of them started and stared as
if it had been ghost.
"Very fine joint of mutton, indeed, Mar
tha-capital and so delightfully."- cooked
not overdone [ should so like taste
where it's so nicely Drowned on the under
side," pointing as [ spoke. "Ah you
haven't a third plate. Never mind, I'll
reach you one;" and l accordingly gly rose and
handed her one from the dresser. The
Italian muttered something in his own Ian
guage, which if translated would, suspect,
have been anything but complimentary.
Extremely happy to see me at your social
meal, no doubt you are, friend Benefit
[ reciprocate the sentiment most warmly.
Here's to your very good health taking
up the ale-jug from the table and filling
myself glass. admirable Right good
stuff ff''-smacking my lips. "Pray, Mar
tha, don't let the mutton get cold" seeing
that she had not complied with my request
"There's nothing in the world I dislike so
much as cold mutton"
[ could see that both were for the mo-
ment thunderstruck; and as [ took up my
plate and held it imploringly, Martha pro
ceeded to cut me the coveted slice.
"Now a couple of potatoes and few
A. J., %
you, Martha You are a good soul |
think in future will always take my meals
with you and Benefit, instead of giving you
the trouble of waiting upon me up stairs.
1t will save you a great many steps, and
be so much more comfortable for us all, for
it's rather lonely sitting up there by ones
self SO much
My companions were at first disposed to
be rather glumpy; but, seeing that | was
determined to be on good terms with my
self and them, they at last gave in, and we
conversed amicably, though reservedly. L
could see, however, by their occasional sly
glances at my physiognomy, that both, and
especially the Italian, derived considerable
qualification in noting how severely had
been punished.
Acting up to my promise, I did not,
during the remainder of the time stayed
at Briteleigh Hall, trouble Martha to wait
upon me- having one object in view, name;
ly, the discovery of Miss Wintock S where
abouts Ibid not think Improbable that she
still occupied the same room above my sleep
ing apartment, or she would have devised
some method of giving me at least hint oft
Every night l was at my old post, the
window. In vain I hummed and whistled
every tune was acquainted with. In
vain 1 looked up to catch some slight token
of her presence. felt that she was not
there She knew her case to be desperate,
and if the window was fastened, failing
other means would dnnhtless have shiverad