The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-08-25

Bertha, ana he determined not 70 20 away
without another attempt, At least, 70 have an
interview with her.
"Oh, Bertha, Bertha IL Icould only take
you from this prison and make you happy, I
should feel that my work in life was ac-
complished"
He reached the summer house, and fear
ing that an abrupt entrance might frighten
her. he went 20 the rear and halted within q
few feet Of where the beautiful singer sat
She ceased singing, and asigh escaping her
lips told the intruder that she was sad.
How was he 20 make himself knowni
Even while he was pondering on that mat
ter she rose from her seat and came out at
tho rear door. The clouds which had OBJ
scured the faint starlight At this moment
rolled away, and tho features Of both the
Intruder and astonished girl became quite
distinct
She stopped and gazed ut him for q mo-
Inent In silent amSzement Any other girl
would have shreked, swooned or fed At the
sudden apparition, but Bertha was no ordi-
nary parsonage.
"Why did you como heref" she asked, ir
sad, reproachful manner. ~ warned
you never under any circumstances 10 en-
ter these grounds, under penalty Of death;
why do you insist in disobeying mel"
Allen was for several moments unable u
answer, because be had no reasona able ep
ouse TO make. AT last he said
"Do not rcprove me, Miss Collins, for I as
sure you that 10 was no morbid curiosity
that brought me-"
"Could you understand the danger ip
which you place yourself by coming here"
said the pretty girl, taking a few steps
nearer 70 him, "you would not do so. II is
dangerous 20 you and 10 me. IL would be
death 10 us both TO be discovered here"
Allen Gray was only deeper plunged into
this dark mystery. He was spcochless, his
brain seemed stupcfed, and he was incapa.
bic OF thinking. He stood dumb, amazed
and almost as pallid as the girl before him.
She came quito close 10 Allen, and speak.
Ing In a cautious undertone that could not
be heard dozen PAGES away, said:
"Go away, Mr.. Gray; go at once, and
never como near me again IL you value your
life"
"Will you 90 with me TO the gatep' he
asked.
"Will you leave then"
81 give you my sacred promise that
will" said Allen, earnestly.
He took the arm OF tho trembling girl
within his own, and in silence they walked
70 the gate. Here they halted, both casting
anxious glances at the great old house
which rose up so gloomily before them. TIC
the relief OF both all was quiet, and there
was no one In the yard.
"Go, CO." said Bertha, eagerly. Though
speaking in a whisper, her voice trembled
with passion and fear. 1T would be fatal
for you 10 be discovered here; IL would be
your ruin-dcath-" She became chokcd
with sobs, and for a moment was silent.
Bertha" said Allen, his voice strangely
calm, 'you arc in great dlstress-what is
itp
"Oh, do not ask" she answered, continu-
Ing 10 sob. "Lcavc mo 10 my misery and
eternal doom. am the most wretched OF
humans, my fate is sealed, and IL is useless
for others TO attempt TO aid me. Go away
20 away"
"But will not leave you alone in this
distress. What Is iti Tell me that may
help you"
~ can not, dare not tell"
bertha, you are miserable hercw
A sob was the only answer.
"Let me take you away from this terrible
place"
"No, no, no; not for the world Do not
think OF that l can not leavo-I am held
here by bands stronger than iron"
How long have you lived hcrci"
mot more than oight months-though Il
seems 40 many ages"
Another moments awful silence followed,
and then Allen, becoming desperate, said;
Bertha, would aid you II l could-I-I
would give my life il necessary"
"Hush-hush-" she quickly interrupted,
soizing his arm. "You know not what you
Ray. Oh, why don't you got Go, In Heav-
ems name, and let US forget that we ever
met. III am doomed, and why should
you wish TO drag both yourself and myself
down 10 ruinr and, completely overcome,
she buried her beautiful face In her hands.
Dazcd, bewildcrcd and confused, Allen
Gray staggered and caught at the wall for
support What was he to do, how could he
remove the burden from this object Of his
afIcctionsi He seemed to realize that she
was lost, lost 20 him forever.
A voice mt this moment in the direction OF
tho great old house caused both to start,
and the beautiful.girl again scizng his arm
In grasp that tremblcd, in terrified whis-
per, said
Go, go at once, before IL is too late. Go,
30, or we will both be undonc."
Nimbly as nm acrobat, Allen leapcd the
wall, and with his brain in a whirl, and a
thousand conflicting thoughts swaying his
heart, returned to the village.
The mystery surrounding the old stone
house and its inmates seemed every mo-
kIOWilS nloEc Nleu
Gray had always prided himself on having
o great deal OF insight into human charac-
ter, aud fancied that he could read
people IA open pages, and here was one
who bafllcd all his skill. Who was this
Berthat Her face and her name were
Anglo Saxon, but her education and man.
ners French. That she spoke the language
flucntly, and might be mistaken for native
Frenchwoman he did not doubt, yet when
convcrsing In English there was not even
the slightest foreign accent on her tongue.
She was an enigma, and the more he strovo
10 solve the problem, the more difficult 1t bo-
came Of solution.
Another slccpcss night, another light
breakfast, and again ut his Office with
heavy heart and aching head. He was
struggling manfully TO fix his mind upon
the business before him, when the door soft
ly opened and farmer entered.
Eyer the editor, amt ycm he asked
ayes, SIR"
"Well, 1 fotched yc a little piece about
our neighborhooi fur yo to print in your
paper. FL ye use it l think kin git yc somo
signcrs out our way"
"whero do you livcF"
"Down on BLly's Crck," answered the
farmer.
He was an unprctentlous author, wearing
his pants In his thick cowhide boots, was in
his shirt sleeves, and wore n soft broad
brimmed hat on his head. His "galuscs
were homo made, and he had all the peculiar
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