Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-04-27


The voice, Lima knew, Of parkins. Mrs
HarringtOn's model. sofs-voleed. lady
like nurse land there won't be any
trouble about it. because have let the
women 60 sway to stay all night, and sent
the gardener on afool g errand to Missus
brothers. 20 miles of - .sh*
But this girl that came tonight what
about her2 asked Che man.
Fl ''Oh, she will go to home presently, and
stay there If she is wise. She'd be no
hindrance. anyway silly. timid little
thing But it's as well to let her get out
OF tbs way said Parkius. coolly. ssss,
''But see here. Molly, why not do it now
Then we'll have more TINA to get away
before daylight, " said the man. r
+ Il tell you i'll not safe before IL
O'Clock" Parkins said positively. "Peo.
pie may come in. Sir Robert don't like
her ont Of his sight for long. aud that ldi-
o ic young Marsden may come incoming
~. Wait till half past eleven, and the
west door here will be open. And, Jim,
fcck hero, whom goa get this swag. you are
to take me with you-your wife mind"
The voice grew fainter. Evidently the
speakers were moving away from the
house. But Lima had heard enough.
Sick with terror she leaned against the
pantry wall q moment and tried to think.
What did it all mean? Robbery, mur-
der And no help near. Her first in
across the Gelds to the hall. But her alb
sence would be instantly discovered, she
knew. and then poor Aunt Margaret
would be alone with these wretches. No
she must not go-but TO stand there idle
would do no good. Sue flew like bird
along the halls and up s.airs, Leo painting
by hur side. At Aunt Margaret's door
she paused, and q sudden thought came
to her. She would sent Leo home for help.
"a "Where is the spoon. childs How long
you stayed. Good heavens! what is the
matter 2" cried the old lady. as she saw
the girl s terrified face. Lima began some
levasiye answer, but instantly remembered
that Aunt Margaret must be told the
whole story, Or nothing could be done to
save her. She did tell it. and Aunt Mar
.garet listened in silent CONSERVATION and
then burst out impetuously with
GOOD heavens, child Why don't you
run right home ~ sff asesst r
4! ..Because I know Parkins would he up
here 10 few minutes and findI was gone,
and then ,..4sss .,< ~sse,
s''Ah, we'll. So you stayed to save tue
old woman if goa couldP What are you
doing, child Why don't you lock the
door and pile things against it Good
God! if was Just able to rise out Of this
bed! %
But Lima did not speak for moment.
She had found pencil and paper, and was
rapidly writing few words. When abe
had finished-.,. ..,s...---t
Now shs said, when Parkins comes
tell her am to sleep on her couch here ia
your room, and she must go somewhere
else. ! viii be back in = moment. "Leol'
Out Of the room shs darted. and down
to the hall door, which she unbarred and
passed through. Then kneeling in the
shadow of pillar on the portico. she tied
the note tightly ia her handkerchief
round Leo's neck. She put her arms
around his neck after that. kissed his fore
head and a half sob escaped her.
"Is that you. miss 2" said smooth
voice from the hall. why. whatever are
you doing in the dark there 20
Lima sprang up as If she had been shot.
II am sending the dog home," she said
speaking quietly. though the throbs of her
heart shook her whole frame. "He is rest
less here without his master. Go home,
Leo-straiQht home. air!"
The dog, with one farewell lick Of her
hand bounded down the steps and vanish
ed in the dewy darkness of the summer
night. ...s
"Oh, God let him 60 safely and swift.
y!' prayed the girl in her heart.
Then she went in and helped Parkins
bar the door, and they went together up
stairs.
Aunt Margaret lay very quietly on her
pillow, but with her black eyes cleaning.
"Parkins. y she said steadily, as they en-
tered, miss Leigh is kind enough to offer
to stay with me here tonight. She will
sleep on your couch, and you, my poor
soul, can 90 and get good nights rest in
another room"
Parkins was silent for ono instant and
then began series of smooth, polite ex.
pOstulatiOns which no ono would heed,
ana finaAy the civil nurse prepared the
couch foFILina, and took herself off, OBJ
serving sweetly:
"Jf Miss Leigh will leave the door ajar
can hear call from this room and will
come instantly
"Thanks. Parkins, but hope shall not
have to call you, said Lima, speaking as
sweet as Parkins herself.
Then as she glided to the door as soon
as it was closed; she turned with face of
dismay and whispered:
1.-The key is gone She took it when she
was fidgeting in and out with the sheets
aud pillows
ssThere is q bolt BESIDES" Aunt Mar
garet answered.
"Lina gave sigh of relief as she slipped
the bolt into the groove. and felt that she
had some little protection against the enc
my.
'"Now, child, Aunt Margaret said, lean
you use pistoly'' 8tE~es
II never touched one in my life," said
the sslittle coward "But if had one
now / would try t
"Very well. Take my safe key-it is
under my pillow-and unlock the safe.
They are just as my husband left them
year ago, but Robert looked at them few