The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-10-05

the dark I sat and watched my passive
keeper, and turned from her to glance round
the room for the means Of escape. could,
perhaps, let myself down from the window.
If I could get rid Of her. FL All, that if
The riddle was to be solved in different
way.
About nine O'Clock heard the swing-door
fall to with bang quite unlike the stealthy
way in which my cousin came and went !;
then hurried footsteps along the passage;
and then the noise of some one searching
for the door-handle in the dark. sprans
up, wild with excitement-perhaps il was
with fear. My immovable companion even
looked alarmed. We stared into one an
others eyes.
amber! Miss McMichael, are you
there.'
o joy, it was Ainslie's voice! Ny heart
leaped high with the sudden reyulsion.
How the fear and dread that were over.
whelming me passed away at the sound
He knew our sit alton; for without losing
time he warned me to stand back from the
door, and, throwing himself against it, at
the second attempt burst it in. In mo-
ment he was inside and his arm around
me.
take me to him, Ainslie; take me te
him." cried.
He knew to whom meant, yet he paused
as we were leaving the room and looked in
my face.
news, my darling; better than you can i'm.
agine. There is some one with Sir Martin
who has at present q better right to you
even than have"
l nodded anxiously, not comprehending
what he was saying, but only eager to be
by my grandfather's side. We fastened
through several passages, all deserted, and
. ba inf xvhi tha
house was thrown. In the corridor outside
Sir Martins room all the servants were
collected. They made room for US, but
seemed in no degree surprised at our sud-
den appearance together. Ainslie opened
the door and led me softly in.
The old mans sight was failing, and to
suit It the spacious dark-paneled room
was Lie with numerous caailes, which yet
failed to dispel the gloom. Ny grand
father was greatly changed. His face was
wan and drawn; but the shadow of death
seemed to be held at bay by the painful
look Of anxiety and doubt that possessed
his features. There was some one stand
ing by his bedside, away from US, whom
l took to be the nurse. At the foot of the
bed was nv treacherous cousin, in an at
titude, as we entered, Of indignant denial.
He did not see US or the servants who,
over our shoulders, peeped in with looks
Of scared wonder. As We entered he took
q L
the other two.
~ have told you, sir, my cousin has
promised to marry me. In a few hours
she will be here and tell you so, sir. Let
the will wait until then. Can you not trust
me, grandfather"
Eyes, yes" said the old man. with diff
Guilty; .but let me see her, Why isn't
Amber here,"
"She i. at Ludford, Sir Martin. She has
been sent for, and in a few hours will be
here" answered James, pretending to look
at his watch.
You lie, James McMichael, She is not
at Ludford. She is here, in your power"
of she curtain: at the same time that James
spfang back with astonishment, as much
at the voice, so wonderfully resembling Sir
Martins as at the sudden attack.
"Who are you?" he cried.
"Your uncle, your uncle, come back from
the grave to confound your villsiny. Where
is my daughterw
1t was the stranger whom I had met in
the railway carriage. Only as one in o
dream had gathered the meaning of VIVA.
was said. felt Ainslie push me forward;
heard rising murmur of surprise among
the servants; I saw James blsnched and
beaten face and my grandfather's eyes
turned painfully toward me. The room
seemed TO turn round, and as my father
clasped me in his arms tainted.
Left for dead by the mutineers, my father
had been found still breathing by an old
servant, who concealed him in little low
caste village of the Rajpoot country. There,
it is as wonderful as true, he regainsd his
health Of body: but his memory was gone.
For seventeen years he LIVED. harmless, in
deed. and venerated by the Hindoos of the
village as 3 sacred person, and jealousy
guarded and supported by them rs the
source OF their prosperity. At the end of
those long, dark years, an army doctor fell
in with him, became Interested in what ne
heard from the villagers about him, and by
an operation restored him truly as from
death to life. The seventeen years was
blank: but sll that went before, down to
the flight at kolspore, was as the events of
yesterday. He made himself known and
was recognized by many at Bombay; funds
and every assistance were supplied, that
he might regain his position. You know
how opportunity he returned.
Ny grandfather died q few days later
with nv hand in his, and his head on his
sons shoulder. OF course his will was al
tered: but James, though left dependent
upon my fathers generosity, has had no
cause tn complain. We have never seen
him since. It was Ainslie who, driving
over to make inquiries fell in with NV
father, as he was trying to ascertain how
things were at the Park. They compared
notes, and knowing that had arrived at
the station, guessed pretty nearly the truth
of the matter.
\ few months later Ainslie and 1 were
married, and if my life before was happy
one what shall l say of it now that l have
gained both father and a husband, whose
only object seems to be to give me fresh
cause for gratitude? l have two homes now.
Ludford and the Park, and really it would
be hard to say at which | am most happy.
So will not try.-LORdOH Society.