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

duu6u SCeTHly, Seeing IIdO sic WAS dDOuU
to demonstrate otis my turn for little
while now. What is the use of your call
ing out? No one can possibly hear you!''
Martha's teeth chartered and her knees
trembled. "What is it you want with me,
man ?" she asked
"Now, be civil, old lady. No manning,
if you please. Just take up the dish and
candle, and | will bear you company, |
want a few minutes speech with the young
lady"
Il cannot l dare not Mr. Wintock
would kill me-
''Stuff! He'll do nothing of the kind.
Besides, he is not obliged to know any
thing about it, unless you are silly enough
to inform him"
Old Martha bent as if to pick up the
dish and candle There was slight noise
below Possibly Benefit had returned for
Il moment into the house for something.
In an instant her mouth was at the key
hole; she was about to shrek for assistance,
but was too quick for her.
"You treacherous old beldam," whis-
pered, eff you try that dodge again, I'll
gag you Now, just listen to me. know
all about the rascally doings in this house.
| know that Miss Wintock is forcibly con-
fined somewhere in one of these attics.
She is no more insane than | am; so that
tale will not serve Mr.. Wintock's purpose.
Tomorrow I'm off to London; and I'll
move earth, sea and sky, till [ set the au-
thorities on the right track to find and re-
| looeo bo. I>no1v M WintocE'S notiva
her property. He won't have feather
of it to fly with; he is more likely to land
in Jail. You shall come in for your share
of punishment in illegally combining her
Let me see her for few moments, and [
promise you, on the word of a man, that
that whatever transpires, you shall be held
free from blame
After some further expostulation on her
part, and renewed threats and promises on
mine, Martha took her dish and candle and
proceeded to Miss Wintock's apartment.
| kept close to her, cycling keenly every
movement; for felt that if only half a
chance occurred, she would play me false.
Never shall l forget the sight that pre-
scented itself on my entering Miss Win
tock's wretched garnet. Stretched on a
miserably narrow pallet lay the beautiful
but haggard girl, dressed as l last saw her,
but with stout leathern girdle belted tight
ly round her waist, and which, fastened
with thick, strong cord passing round one
of the bed-posts, etfectually prevented her
from moving, except within very limited
area. The easement was strong y barred
on the inside, and the catch securely fast
ened. In this remote room, at the very
top of the house, there was not the slight
est opportunity of communicating with the
world without.
Old Martha noticed the start [ gave on
first entering the room, and commenced 4
hypocritical whimpering. ''Indeed, Mr.
Mededith, it's no fault Of mine, nor could
help it. It's all masters doings, and
Mr. Georges, and | am too old and too
feeble to do anything but obey orders"
''Silence, woman | sternl y retorted, as
| thrust her into the only chair in the room,
and advanced to the side of the poor, suf-
fering and ill-used young lady.
The death-like pallor Of her countenance,
the dropping of the long, dark eye-lashes,
and the listless rolling of the languid eyes,
evinced the intense mental anguish that
racked her. The instant her eyes rested
on me, a sharp faint cry Of joyful recogni
ton escaped her, and she stretched out her
hand In the tumult of my distracted
feelings, | seized it and pressed it warmly
to my lips. A deep flush came rushing
into her neck and face until she crimsoned
to the temples The next instant she was,
if possible, even paler than before, and her
short, rapid breathing told of the excite
ment under which she labored
"Oh, Mr. Meredith | was afraid that
! thought hoped you would not de-
sert me, she gasped.
'Not while have life, dear Miss Win
took, was the prompt reply. While [
spoke my pocket-knife was out, and
sawed like a maniac at the cord to sever
it.
Old Martha began to wiring her hands
and to demonstrate, but her circumstances
speedily checked.
The cord was soon cut through, and,
gently raising Miss Wintock to a sitting
posture, I asked: Are you able to
stand %
Eyes; thank you, very, very much, AT
least I'll try" She gave me one glance
of appealing trustfulness, and burst into
a passionate fit of weeping. ooh, take me
away with you from this horrid place l
shall 90 really mad; know [ shall; 1 am
SO now, almost. o my poor brain
l tried my utmost to soothe her. Even
old Martha aided me. Perhaps her wo-
manly feeling was touched; for l believe
she was more the unlucky victim and tool
of circumstances than of an intrinsically
bad and hardened nature. She produced
her old-fashioned smelling bottle, bathed
Miss Wintock's hands and face, and in
duced her to eat some of the food she had
brought; and | persuaded her, with some
difficulty, to take sip or two from my
spirit flask, which had previously put in
my pocket in case of emergency.
At length the young lady became calm
er. But | saw that it would be necessary
to use extreme caution, or she would suffer
a relapse. as she continued to entreat me in
the most pathetic language, not to leave
her again In the power OF the Wmtocks
| looked at my watch; it wanted about
twenty minutes to nine. Precisely at nine,
in readiness for the evening ride, Mr.. Win
tock's gig and mare would be in the yard
near the side door, and Mr.. Georges horse
shortly afterwards. Mr.. Wintock would
probably, as he often did, keep his gig
waiting for him till quarter past. George
Wintock would be off shortly afterwards
Though had spoken so confidently to
Martha, l was not at all sure that some I'M
lucky accident might not intervene if I
remained where l was. Benefit might
miss Martha. In fact, l was terribly IN
easy and in sad dilemma. Stay where l
was for any length of time, I dared not.
Leave Miss Wintock in her present state
of mind, could not. Indeed, think she
would have attempted to force her way