Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-04-23

neat bundle, and locked them in an old
cabinet.
''They will be safe here tonight to-
morrow Twill take them to the lawyers,
he said, placing the key IN his pocket.
Then turning toward his ward, he IN
quired, elbow is Gelert, fair lady?,
''I don't think he is we'll, Sir Andrew.
I've Just been to see him."
"Constance!' cried Miss Dorothy, |
scandalized, shave you been out to the
dog kennel at this hour, and on such a
night?'
eyes, Miss Dorothy, and it is much
too cold for the poor fellow to be left
out there"
"Now, my Lowell" deprecated the old
lady, waving one delicate hand in token
that her will was law, "never mention
the idea of bringing that enormous dog
in the house."
The ghost of a pout came into Con-
stances sweet face.
'sThere, there" said Sir Andrew, mer-
rily, s'don't fret, Constance. Gelert
shall have skilled physician tomorrow,
if you think him i'll. shouldn't mind
his coming into the house, but our ty-
rant here, you seeI" and he shrugged
his shoulders.
"Archie," softly whispered the girl,
as he lit her candle for her, "wil you
see Gelert?" and she raised her beau
tiful gray eyes appealingly to his. A
merry look of triumph passed over his
face.
''Yes, if you promise not to play
chess with the curate tomorrow.
''Oh, don't be silly! If you think
Gelert is i'll, bring him in
''Ill or well, l'u send him to your
room in half an hour, if you'll say good
night civilly," at the same time drawing
his fiancee behind tall screen for a
silent embrace, which sent her away
blushing.
A bright fire burned in Constance
Gwynn's bedroom. She put on her
dressing gown and dismissed her maid
as soon as the latter had received
Gelert from Archie Gordon's hands
and brought him to his mistress. The
dog was only seeking company, and not
Ill. He looked the picture of content
ment as he lay at Constance's feet, and
she, feeling wakeful, sat quietly reading
though between the page and her
eyes came up Archie's face.
The house had long been still, when
the clock in the corridor struck one.
Gelert at the moment raised his huge
head and listened attentively. Con-
stance closed her book; and won
dered why the dog still kept his intent
look; 1t made her slightly nervous, and
she began to listen too. Certainly there
was sound as of a window in the library,
Just beneath her own room, being
opened. The wind and rain made so
wild sound that she would have ban
ished the thought of anything but these,
had it not been that Gelert half rose to
his feet with low growl.
''Be quiet, Gelert!" she whispered;
for she feared he would bark, and so
reveal to Miss Dorothy his forbidden
presence.
Gelert's only answer was to look
earnestly at his mistress, prick his ears
again, and walk slowly to the door.
Constance went into the corridor to
listen. The only person near her was
nervous Miss Dorothy, whom she dread
ed to rouse. Taking firm hold of Gelert's
collar, she softly reached the top of the
grand staircase, and a CLEAN of moon
light, which burst through the stormy
clouds, lit up with a weird light the
portraits that lined the wall, and then as
suddenly faded. In the darkness GeIert
drew his mistress to the staircase, show
ing increased anxiety to make her under
stand that there was cause for bis ex-
element. Constance leaned over the
banister. The door of the library was
partly open and faint light was in the
room. In a moment thought of the |
papers Sir Andrew had just brought |
from America flashed on Constance; she |
remembered that they were of import |
ance to Archie, and that some one else
would be glad to get them from him.
Whispering few words to quiet the |
dog, she crept softly down the broad |
stone staircase, and paused near the |
door. Through the cracks she saw that |
two men stood at the far end near Sir |
Andrews cabinet, and it was open. A |
strange courage came TO the girl. She |
knew that if she could cross to the cor
ner by the opposite window, there was a
bell there which communicated with the |
wing where Sir Andrew slept, and which |
would also arouse the servants. In an
other moment she had stopped and |
clasped one arm around the dogs neck, |
and he seemed to know her wish, for he
crawled stealthily beside her into the
room. They had nearly crossed it when
Gelert drew a painting breath. which
startled one of the men. He quickly
turned and aimed pistol at Constance.
In an instant she loosed GeIert and
sprang at the bell-heard the peal ring
out, a pistol shot fred, and a dogs fu-
rious worrying-th fell unconscious on
the floor.
''How quiet you all are!'' and then
Constance thought she had not said it
such faint voice it sounded. And what
bed was this with great green curtains?
Surely Miss Dorothy's! And the room
was dim so, when Miss Dorothy crept to
the side OF the bed, Constance could not
see that her face was wet with thankful
tears.
''My love, you are in my room because
L am nursing you"
''Have been ill?" said a weak voice
again. oa
s'Yes, dear, but don't talk"