Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-08-15

hou se.maid, let all the male servants
60 of 10 a fair III the village where they
will certainly get into mischief Mrs.
Harrington said.
But when Lima had talked to her
and made her laugh little, she forgot
her grievances and chatted away very
pleasantly. At | O'Clock she declared
she had laughed till she was tired, and
Lima must give her her drops and let
her G, TO sleep.
There The spoon is gone. Where
could Parkins have pat it? Child
would you mind running down into the
pantry and bring me spoon would
ring for Parkns but she told me she
wanted 10 get up some muslns this
evening, and would come up as soon
as she was through
Lima did not altogether like 10 pass
down the long stairs and silent entries
leading TO the pantry, but she went
and Leo trotted after her. AS she sto I'd
in the pautry lCoKlng around for spoous
with no light but faint CLEAN from a
hall lamp, a sound of voices reached
her ear.
The pantry was on the ground floor,
It's iron. bound shultered window look
ing into the garden. The sound was
outside tie window, and Lima paused
TO listen. The first word that caught
her ear startled her.
a thousand pounds, and all the old
woman's jewelry aud plate y said
mans voice in q husky UNDERGONE.
Yes was the reply, in a woman's
voice-the voice, Lima knew, Of Par
kins, Mrs. Harrlngton's modle, soft
voiced, lady like nurse and there
won't be any trouble about it, because
| have left the women so away 10 stay
all night, aud sent the gardener on
FOOLS errand to Mlssus' brothers. tw en-
ty miles off,
But this girl that came tonight
what about her p asked the man.
oh. she will 60 home presently.
and stay there if she Is wise. Sued
be no hindrance anyway-a silly timid
little thing. BUTT is well to let her
get cut OF the way said Parklns,
cody.
But see here, Molly, why mol do it
now Then wen have more time to
get away before day light said the
man.
4 tell you 1t is not safe before IL
O'Clock, Parkins said positively. 'Peo-
pie may come in. Sir Robert don't
like her out of bis sight for long, and
that idiolic young Marsdes may come
incoming in. Wait ill half past IL,
and the west door here will be open.
And jim, look here, when you get this
swag you are to take me with you
your wife mind
The voice grew fainter. Evidently
the speakers were r1ovipg away from
the house. But Lima had heared enough
Sick with terror she leaned against the
pantry wall moment and tried tol
think. What did it all mean? Rob
berry, murder! And no help near. Her
first instinct was TO flY out Of the house
and across the fields to the hall. But
her abse nee would be instantly discov-
cred, she knew, and then poor Aun
Margaret would be alone with these
wretches. No she must not go-but
TO stand there idle would do no good.
She flew like bird along the halls aud
up stairs, Leo painting by her side. AT
Aunt Margaret's door she paused. and
a sudden thought came TO her. She
would send Leo home for help.
Where is the spoon child How
long you stayed Good Heavens! What
is The matter?' cried the old lady as
she saw the girl's terrified face. Lima
gave some evasiye answer, but instant
ly remembered that Aunt Margaret
must be told the whole story, or moth
ing could be done to save her. She
did tell it, and Aunt Margaret listened
IN silent CONSERVATION aud then burst
out impetuously with
Good Heavens. child Why don't |
you run right home p
Because know PIrkius would be
up here 10 few minutes and find L
was gone and then
'Ah well. So you stayed to save the !
old woman if you coud' What are you
doing child9 Why don't you lock The
door and pile things against il? GoOd
God if | was just able 10 rise out OF
this bed y
But Lima did not speak for mo-
ment. She had found a pencil and
paper, and was rapidly writing few
words.
Now she said, when Parklns
comes, tell her l am to sleep on her
couch here in her room, and she must
20 somewhere else. will be back in
moment. Leo!
Out Of the room she darted, and
down 10 the ball door, which she un-
barred and passed through. Then
kneeling in the shadow Of pillar on
the portico, she tied the note tightly in
her handkerchief round Leo's neck.
Size put her arms around his neck after
that, kissed his forehead and half sob
escaped her.
rs that you, Mics? said smcolc
voice from tho hall. why, whatever
are you dsing In the dark there p
Lima sprang up as if she had been
shot.
II.