Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-01-18

reveal whether they were surrepti-
tiously opened at night; he even set
watch upon Mistress Dwight's
house but all without throwing one
ray of illumination into the darkness
Of the mystery. Yet he was not
man of half-intentions, and before
many days he had decided upon ac-
tion that was almost more than sum-
mary, as will appear in the sequel.
Meantime the missives fitted be-
tween young Godfrey and Ellen like
arrows that, visible at the beginning
and the end of their course, refused
to be traced in the passage. Though
these, though imprisoned, they had
freedom in the whole realm of love.
and gave their hearts to each other
with the abandon of passionate trust
and regard in spirited young natures.
Without this communication hardly
would they have endured their i'm
prisonment so passively, though the
forces that coerced them were harsh
enough in those days, including as
they did not only the rlgor of pre-
scribed parental authority, but the
severe condemnation of a Puritanical
public ,opinion as we'll. 81 do be-
gin to fear this indomitable father of
thine wrote Ellen; "all my weap-
ons of defense seem light against his
heavy approaches. He has look of
intending to conquer by main strength
if naught else will avail and that
| does little remind me of the moving
story he once told US together, of
compelling a pirate to confess hidden
treasure by suffocating the poor wretch
| In a barrel Of smoke. But | will die
ere | marry another man than thee. !"
When the Inexplicahle Messenger
brought these words to Godfrey Car
ter, they greatly agitated him. He
knew not only that his father was one
who did not sickle at harsh means
to reach a tempting end, but felt also
that in the sui,serviency of the aunt
| to his wishes the colonel had DOW
erful aid, us in his complete infatua-
tion with the niece he had the strong
est Of invtctives TO action. Il can
moi discourage your fears; they are
all my own" Godfrey answered Ell
len. Moreover, my father is quick
to move. Yesterday he drove in the
coach, being gone several hours on
the journey, | am not certain where,
but think from some word that Pc
ter, the coachman, dropped it was TO
Calvert Hill. Now ii Is at this Call
vert Hill that the notorious minister
| dwells who has tied so many scandal
Gus runaway couples in marriage-a
person, | dare to think, who would
scruple little at any deed, fat fee
in his pocket. Watch, then, thy ty-
famous aunt, and, sweet Ellen, be-
lIeve that whatever danger befalls,
| shall be speedily at thy side.
thank God for thy bravery and thy
wit. [ am convinced the time is come
when we must save our heels with
our heads. Pray that no mischanoe
hefall nnr faithful Messenger, and
send me note of all that happens,
even the least straw, which may un-
eXpectedly show the set of the wind.
Thy GODFREY.
On the very next day young God
frey received from the lntxplicahle
Messenger-who, despite the colon
ELS EXTREMIST vigilance, sill served
faithfully-a note conforming all his
fears Fair Ellen wrote that her aunt
had announced visit TO town hor
derine on Calvert Hill for The second
day following, Mistress Dwight 10 90
in the morning to make certain prep
arations, and Ellen to follow in the
evening under escort of the colonel,
whose business did not allow an ear
lier departure.
The lovers answer was brief.
Go he said '.wilhout opposition,
and do not be alarmed should a high
wayman beset the carriage in some
dark passage of the road. | shall
teach the coachman a lesson in dis
mounting, and give my father a
| chance to walk as far as the next
town. Doubt not that this plot of
our elders shall turn to our best for
tune"
At three O'Clock the following af-
ternoon-it was a dull November day,
the air achill, the green grass stiff
with frost-Colonel Carter returning
from the offices down town, walked
with steaming breath up to the front
door Of his own house; then, paus-
inc there a minute, turned without
entering to make his way toward the
stables, where he gave some COM
mand to the coachman before return
inc to the house. He did not see his
son watching him in these movements
from an upper window. Two hours
later the two sat ut dinner, each at
the end of large dining table set
for their sole use, with stately silver
and china in elaborate array, and
lighted with four tall candlesticks,
two at each end. Each was dressed
with unusual care, and seemed in
more companionab!e mood toward
the other than for some time had
been customary. Each deemed the
victory in their long battle at last
his own.