The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-08-18
Tttt 9emIufratit Adrntate
SUPPLEMENT,
SATURDAY, AUGUST IS, 1883.
THE MAN IN POSSESSION
[coNrIxrED FROM FIRST PAGE

sion to observe that old Martha, when she
thought herself unperceived, often put aside
some OF the best portions of her viands, al
II Tor some other person. With these she
would suddenly disappear but always III
the evening. contrived to ascertain that
she invariably made for the back staircase
and arranged my plan, desperate as it was
accordingly. 1t was destined to be put
into execution much earlier than | had an
ticipated.
The fifth morning after my Chamber over
the roofs, Mr.. Wintock sent for me to
come into his ROOM AS | entered, | fan
eled that smile of suppressed triumph
flushed his countenance. Addressing me
In grandiloquent, sneering style, he said:
"Good morning, Mr.. Meredith | am sorry
that your stay at Briteleigh has been SO
protracted. But what cannot be helped,
must be endured. have been able to ar
range my little affair with your principal,
and consequently your presence here can
now be dispensed with. l shall be glad if
you will leave the premises at once"
Taken aback, [ was at loss for a mo-
ment or two for words to answer, as, from
what [ had heard previous to my coming
to Briteleigh, [ had not the remotest idea
Mr.. Wintock would be able to liquidate
the heavy demand upon him. Had Miss
Wintock at last, thoroughly crushed and
broken in spirit, acceded to one of his pro-
positions, and either consented to become
the bride of his son, or signed some docu-
ment which gave him absolute power over
her property? The thought was horrible.
Yet it might be so; for as [ had not been
able to effect any communication with her
since that unfortunate night, her energies,
physical and mental, might have collapsed
in despair
Mr. Wintock, seeing that [ was dumb
founded, at once followed up his advan-
tage. II wish to make one observation
before you 90. You have interfered most
unwarrantably and impertinently in the
domestic arrangements of my family since
you have been in the house, both in in
truding yourself upon the privacy of a
young lady resident here, and in endeavor-
ing to facilitate her escape from her natural
guardians. Possibly you may not be aware
that the young lady in question is dan
gerous fanatic, and that degree of whole
some restraints is absolutely necessary for
her welI-being and safety, though at times
she may have apparently lucid intervals.
L have no doubt you were misled by the
craft peculiar to that sad affiiction; hence |
am disposed to make due allowance for
your extraordinary conduct. Otherwise;
L should feel justified in communicating the
circumstances to your employer, which
would probably result in no very agreeable
consequences to yourself [ may add for
your satisfaction, that the young lady will
shortly be placed in a suitable establish
ment, where she will be properly cared for
L hope, however, as you are young man,
that due consideration of the extremely
absurd manner in which you have acted,
and the slight inconvenience you have suf-
fered"-here, with bland smile, he passed
his hand significantly over the upper part
of his face-''may prove a warning to you
to conduct yourself more discreetly in the
future. He looked me full in the face and
waved his hand towards the door
How [ repressed the fierce tempest of
passion that inwardly shook me, cannot
tell. "Sir," [ replied as calmly as | was
able, Il am not in a position to doubt your
word, but,
"But what?' he angrily demanded. II
tell you, man, that [ posted a cheque for
the amount last evening, and that | expect
discharge and receipt by tomorrow post
Will that satisfy you?"
''Then no doubt, sir, the same post will
bring me from my principal the usual re-
lease, without which I am not justified in
deserving my post. Immediately upon its
arrival I will comply with your wishes"
"You were ready enough, however, to
leave it to suit your own insolent purpose, "
he hotly spurted out. "But one day will
not make much difference, daresay; there
fore, tomorrow be it."
I bowed, and withdrew to the kitchen.
indignant, bewildered, and with a sickening
sensation at the heart | was completely
foiled and beaten. ''The last night | shall
be here-young lady confined in a
madhouse my employer slight in
convenience" kept echoing through my
brain, till l felt dizzy with the whirl of
confused thought, and mechanically passed
my hand over my face as Mr.. Wintock had
done. The remembrance of the indignity
enraged me beyond endurance, and I de-
termined, if human craft could accomplish
it, that [ would trace out Miss Wintock
that very night, and ascertain from her own
lips whether, when | left the house, | could
do anything for her Might not a solicit
tor, upon proper representation, take her
case in hand, and forcibly obtain the re-
lease of her person from the fends who now
held her in confinement? Doubtless much
energy and skill would be required, but the
strong arm of the law was, or ought to be,
all-powerful. Yes, would see her. Old
Wintock might storm and rave as he liked.
I should bid him farewell on the morrow,
and if he tried to injure me with my en-
ployer, hoped my statement would be be-
lieved; and if not-supposing l got my dis
charge and was thrown out of work-the
world was wide, and should be a kind of
martyr in a good cause.-the cause of
beauty.
Putting a good face on matters 1 told
old Martha and Benefit that I was to de-
part on the morrow, as Mr. Wintock had
settled all claims upon him. 1t was evil
dent by the covet smile on the face of each
that the intelligence gave them great sat
isfaction. In the course of the evening [
sauntered out of the kitchen as if to 90 to
my room, and no doubt, as I babe them
good evening, they concluded that I had
retired for the night. Instead of doing so
I quietly slipped up the back staircase
Here, as in the other, there was a door at
the top, which shut the upper range of
apartments from the lower. The staircase
itself, however, was much darker. This
door was also locked, confirming my sus-
picion that Miss Wintock was above stairs
As is often the case in ancient mansions,
there were several hooks and recesses in
this old circular staircase. Within one of