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

the rest to me.
[ chose the hour of two o'clock in the
morning for attempting the rescue of the
young lady, as having the greater chance
of success; for Notwithstanding Mr., Win
tock's hint that the family disliked being
disturbed at night, [ had discovered that
both he and his son were in the habit of
spending some part of it from home
where, [ cannot say, but probably in some
kind of dissipation. Both went out about
nine o'clock Mr.. Wintock usually re-
turned about one. His son was much
more uncertain.
have said that the entire edifce, and
especially the roofs, were Of very irregular
build, and that my room was situated at
an angle of the house On the other side
of the angle was suit of rooms but little
used, the window of one of them being
exactly on a level with Miss Wintocks S,
and about six feet distant from it, and to
which room [ discovered could find ac-
cess. Immediately above the room in
question was lumber-room, with ladder
from the floor to the trap-door opening
out upon the roof. Carefully watching an
opportunity the next day, l slipped into
the lumber-room, in which, among other
things, were a number of tools of various
descriptions, and armed myself with a
couple of stout screw-drivers, with which
l retreated, after noting that the ladder
might easily be removed.
A little before two o'clock found me
cautiously issuing from my apartment and
stealthily creeping towards this part of the
building | did not much fear any alarm
from the dog, as during my stay he had
been kept chained up in the other part of
the mansion l suppose Mr.. Wintock had
profted by my hint respecting the animal.
Possessing myself of the ladder, [ very
quietly removed it to the room whose win
dow have described as being opposite to
and on level with Miss Wintock's. The
next were moments of breathless anxiety
and suspense Slow y opening the window
[ waved her own white handkerchief
signal agreed upon between us-and her
window was then as noiselessly raised. |
then proceeded to push the ladder very
gently across until it rested upon the sill
of hers, forming narrow bridge from win
dow to window. She was at her post, and
grasping the top staff, held it firmly. Seat
ing myself astride, | gradually shifted a
few inches at time, until [ reached her
The Hall clock struck two as | stepped
softly into her room, Immediately with
drawing the ladder and closing the window
She was greatly agitated and trembled vio-
lently Taking my hand in both her own,
she whispered few words of impassioned
thanks; and then we addressed ourselves to
the task of getting out of and away from
the house silently and safely. This we
both felt would be no easy matter; for not
only was the door of her own room locked
but also that of the room into which ii
opened, and through which we must pass
before gaining the corridor, which led to
the staircase Force [ dare not use, be-
cause of the noise; and indeed it would
have been difficult to force the doors, as
both were of stout oak. Hence my pro-
vision of the screw-drivers.
The screws were rusted with age, and ]
in the dark. | therefore lighted a candle
I had brought with me, and labored heavily
for about an hour, Miss Wintock bending
over me to aid me with its light, until hel
long raven hair rested carelessly on my
shoulder, she holding and shading the can
die with my hat, lest it's reflection should
betray US to any one out of doors, as George
Wintock in his return home from his mid
night revels might observe it in crossing
the park At length was successful; the
last screw of the second door yielded. Ex,
tinguishing the light, we paused few
minutes to listen, and then stepped softly
out into the dark corridor, leading the
van, pistol in hand, and Miss Wintock lean
ing heavily on my arm.
Along the corridor and down the richly
carpeted staircase we went on tip-toe and
with bated breath, lest the echoes of that
gloomy old mansion should arouse her jail
ers. Every instant we expected the dog
to give tongue. The night was cloudy, but
suddenly the moon emerged from behind a
cloud, and for a few seconds Illuminated
the sombreness of the antique entrance
hail. | felt Miss Wintock start and shud-
der, press my arm and cling still closer to
me, with the confidence of a very child.
1t made my heart leap, and every drop of
blood in my veins thrilled with feeling of
rapturous delight, hitherto unknown to me.
[ seemed for the moment to have the
strength of twenty men, and almost longed
to do battle on her behalf. We stood for
a moment in the hall, undecided whether
to try one of the long passages, or at once
seek egress by the principal entrance. We
chose the latter. Softly We passed across
the polished oaken floor, and [ began slowly
and with extreme caution to undo the fas
Jennings Gently, one by one, each bolt
and bar was withdrawn, the huge lock was
turned, and the ponderous door swung
heavily upon its hinges. Greatly exhil-
arated at our success, turned to my COM
panion with whispered word of encour-
agement on my lips, when an unseen enemy
struck me tremendous blow on the head,
driving me through the open doorway like
ball from wicket, and telling me like a
dog upon the gravel walk beyond. At the
same instant succession of piercing shrieks,
so wild, so heartrending, and so despairing
burst from Miss Wintock, that it seemed
as if her reason was passing away in con-
tinuation of convulsive efforts to regain her
liberty.
How long I lay insensible upon that cold
gravel walk cannot say, but it could not
have been many minutes. Probably my
assailant was for the time too fully occu-
pied in securing the recaptured lady to be
able to infict any further injury upon me.
When | regained consciousness the moon
was obscured, and it was intensely dark,
not a star being visible. Bruised, sore and
bleeding, L gathered myself up as best I
could, and endeavored to collect my
thought But in what manner to act for
the best, puzzled me. Should 1 wait till
dawn, then hasten to the village and en-
deavor to procure assistance in rescuing the
young lady? For several reasons l dis
carded this idea. Resides. I had in fact