The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-11-09
FOR A FORTUNE.

when | came TO her house. l do not
know why. Her step-fathcr, Joshua
Pcnthroop, q man | had never liked,
was standing in the doorway.
"Where is EmilyP' | asked, eagerly
miss Croydon has been dead over q
year The replied in cold, measured tones.
That was all he said. ! cannot remem-
Der how found strength to totter away
on hearing this dreadful piece of news,
but when | had recovered somewhat
found myself in the house Of an old
friend.
From him l learned that Emily Croy-
den had gone a year and a-half ago on q
journey with Mr. Penthroop in search
of health and that she had died during
the tour.
This calamity had proved too much
for the poor mother TO bear and Mr.
Penthroop returned home to find her
dead, leaving him sole possessor of the
home and fortune to which he had sue
ccoded on Emily's death.
After that could not endure to live at
home any more, but wandered away
from one place to another trying to find
some occupation that would divert my
mind from the past. l don't know what
prompted me at last to take a position as
assistant in DIR. Durity's private insane
asylum.
1t was not, by any means, sinecure
Indeed, after the first few days, l had the
care of the whole establishment, except
the part assigned to special cases." to
which none had access but the doctor
himself and an old female servant as
ugly as Hecate and as silent as the grave.
This portion of the building had no con-
nection with the rest, and the grounds
adjacent TO 1t were enclosed by separate
wall through which the entrance was by
gate always kept securely fastened.
DIR. Durity had never invited me to
visit this part of the establishment-had
never spoken of it, indeed-and was too
much occupied with my own duties to
have much time to indulge in curiosity.
One day, however, during my hour of
outdoor exercise, in passing the gate al
ready mentioned noticed that the key
was in the lock, thing | had never OBJ
served before. ] had never been forbid
den to enter this part of the grounds, and
saw no harm In stepping inside and
taking a look around. The gate was
unlocked, and pushing it open, l
passed in.
Before me was wing of the main
building, whose walls were pierced with
tiers of barred windows, from which the
view was quite intercepted by the high
surrounding wall. A gravel walk ran
round the wing, along which | was
sauntering slowly, when l heard some
thing drop at my feet. Looking down
saw small gold ring, which fastened
TO pick up.
Judge of my surprise at recognizing
the token Of our engagement which had
given to Emily the day ] babe hei
good.by Whence now this souvenir OF
the dead past?
depressing an cutlery TO which / had
almost given vent in the violence of my
excitement, | looked up quickly and
glancing rapidly along the rows Of mar.
row windows, behind the bars of one in
face, at the sight of which / started as
though it had been an apparition. The
face was that of Emily Croydon
l would have called out, but she placed
her fingers on her lips and pointed toward
the partly open gate with n gesture
could not fail to understand. 1t meant
that l should depart, keeping my own
counsel till had secured the means oil
her release Making a sign to show my
comprehension / obeyed, softly closing
the gate after me. Emily's safety, per-
haps her life, depended on the present
concealment of my discovery. The one
glance / had caught of her face dispelled
any doubt as TO her sanity. Her wicked
step-father, it was evident, had coined
the story Of her death for his own selfish
ends, and was carrying out the fraud
through the aid of an INSCRIPTIONS ac
complete, who would stick at nothing &c
avoid exposure.
l had gone but little way when ]
heard the gate open and saw the serving
woman coming out. She seemed
frightened on discovering the key
which she quickly pocketed after lock
ing the gate, meanwhile cycling me suspi
ciously. j pretended not to heed ant
she passed on.
II was already dark when returned 4
the asylum. had been absent scveTa
hours; in fact, when ! went 20 the doc
tors room ostensibly 90 make my even
ing report, ne was beginning repri
mand when ] cut him short.
Il have made a discovery today, doc
tor" began.
'Ahi indood2" he replied littl,
nervously, i thought
There is a young lady imprisoned
here" | contnucd--"a Miss Croydon
whom her stcpiather finds il oonvenien
10 conceal, while pretending she Is dead,
The Doctors face turned liyid.
VA HlNhh AAHNiiHAiN hh Ailllfl
with an effort at brayado; 81 have n,
patients here save by lawful right
But the lady speak Of is not insane.
''Ihc lady you speak Of probably
THINKS the same most crazy people 40
"Will you release her voluntarily an,
al oncey" / demanded
His answer was a snoering smile
My reply WIS a signal, which wa
quickly followed by a sheriff officer an,
assistants armed with proper writ.
"Will you conduct these gentlemen /,
Miss Croyden's apartment" | asked, 80
must they force their way r.
The villain quailed in the presence o
the law, and before many minutes hel,
Emily sobbing in my arms.
Joshua Penthroop did not walt hi
step-daughters return, but vacated q
once the home TO which he had no valit
right, and in which Emily and l hav
dwelt ever since our marriage. DR.
Durity, too, decamped to avoid an actor
for false imprisonment leaving an agen
to dispose of his establishment
Duelling for Advertisements.
The first thing young man does who make
10 H. INIT Ia NNas.N ID. IL. a.