The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-01-19

| consequences De Wnat Gney mlSnt-udlSSi
appears so much less formidable in the
morning than it does amid the sombrt
shades of night.
When the suspense had grown almosi
intolerable there was gentle tap, twice
repeated, at the trap-door. | Immediately
lifted it, and saw standing beneath me the
young woman.
"Come down." she whispered. 81
In few seconds [ was standing beside
her. The room was untenanted save BY
her; but traces of the previous nights or
gies were discernible in broken pipes and
empty glasses and bottles.
"Drink this" she said, giving me cup
of steaming coffee; "and then you must &C
directly. See-here is some bread and
meat for you to eat on your way, and /
will give you any directions you may need.
l drank the beverage as desired, almost
scalding my throat in doing so; but il
warmed me, and felt the better for it.
"How did you sleep? Were you able
to sleep?" she inquired abruptly, as set
down the empty cup, watching me intently
as she asked the question.
"Sleep? Yes I answered heartily; II
slept the whole night
MAnd did not the noise here disturb you?'
'Not at all. I slept as profoundly as
though I had been in my own bed at
| home"
Her eyes dropped, and she grew red and
white by turns,
"And and you did not care to listen to
their conversation 1t did not interest
you, 1 suppose ?"
Her agitation revealed her fears, and |
FASTENED to assure her that l was too wear
led to feel interest in anything but my own
fatigue. Then | would have thanked her,
but she interrupted me.
s:No, no; it was the barest act of charity.
[ would have done more had l been able;
but could not. If you are grateful, show
it by forgetting the whole occurrence; for
get that you have ever been here, and,
above all, for the love of Heaven, do not
mention word about it to single person. :"
| kept my wonderment to myself, and
gave the required promise.
"Now, go" she cried with feyerish anx-
iety-''go, go I am in terror while you
remain"
When / had reached the corner of the
house turned round and saw her standing
in the doorway gazing after me. She waved
her hand, as though to hasten my move
ments, and |, setting my face in the direc-
ton she had pointed out, looked back no
more.
The storm was at an end, the wind had
sunk, and the sun presently rose, causing
the crisp unspotted snow to sparkle with
the brilliaace of myriads of diamonds. |
stepped out briskly, and in due time and
without further adventure arrived at my
destination. There transacted my bust
ness in satisfactory manner, was driven
back to Clowford in the afternoon, indem-
nified the landlord of the George for the
loss of the horse, caught the up mail-train
to town, and the following morning was
hard at work again in London.
Two years slipped away; and, in the hurry
and press of business-for ] was rapidly
rising in my professionally adventure on
the moors was almost forgotten.
One day, being in the neighborhood of
one of our criminal courts, and, wishing to
see celebrated @. c. who would, knew,
be pleading there, 1 made my way into the
court and waited patiently until l could
have an interview with my friend.
A case of great public interest was being
tried. A gang of bank-note forgers who
had long escaped conviction had been cap
tured, and their trial was then proceeding.
While I waited, my attention was attracted
by one of the SPECTATORS woman plainly
dressed and closely yelled. She betrayed
no emotion; but could preceive that not
single detail or word of the evidence es-
caped her. 1t was evident that her interest
in the case was far deeper and more per-
sonal than the morbid curiosity which had
prompted the presence of many around
her.
Yes, 1 was right. In the pale face,
swollen with crying, in the dark eyes and
fair hair, its smootl. bands roughened and
dishevelled, recognized the heroine ofmy
adventure on the moors.
The recognition was not mutual, and she
stared at me in indignant amazement In
few words l explained who l was, and
added that, in return for the kindness she
had once rendered me, l had come to see
whether could not now be Of service to
her.
At this she burst into passion of tears
1 waited till her grief had somewhat sub
sided, and then by degrees drew from heI
her pitiful story. Supplemented by what
heard later on, it was as follows:
Something-I know not what-in her
bearing touched chord of memory within
me. Surely l had seen her before
pondered and reflected, but could not recol-
lect when or where. Piqued at this freak
of memory, when she left the court / quit,
ted it also. She crossed the pavement and
entered cab that was waiting, and obey,
ing sudden impulse, and forgetful of the
appointment with my learned friend, | hail
ed hanson and desired the driver to keep
in the wake of the other vehicle.
After short drive the cabby stopped in
a shabby second-rate street in the neigh
borhood of Holborn. Jumping out, per
ceived the object of my pursuit ascending
the steps of house, which, from the fact
of card inscribed with the words "Fur
nished Apartments to Let, being suspend
ed in the parlor window, | concluded was {
lodging house.
Still obeying the impulse which had
mastered me, took turn to the end o.
the street and back again, and then, knock
ing at the door, requested to see the lad,
who had Just been admitted.
"Miss White, [ s'pose you mean?" re
sponded the uncouth servant
acquiesced in her supposition.
"Drawing-room," was her laconic direc
tion, with jerk of the thumb towards the
staircase.
When reached the first floor | tappet
at the door facing me. There was no re
sponse, but the sound of smothered weepins
fell upon my ears. l raped again NOR
sharply. Still there was no answer.
opened the door softly and advanced int
the room. A woman lay on the sofa