The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-10-25
NO.. 6.

for just outside crouched the mad-house
doctor, and his keen ear was bent 20 the
keyhole. He could only hear the mur-
mur Of voices, and was unable to distin-
| guish aught that was said, but the very
fact of his new keeper, the bloodthirsty
fellow whom he had~hired especially for
any work of an extra severe nature,
being engaged in q low conversation with
Nora Warner, was enough to excite his
suspicious.
These were partially allayed upon
hearing the curses honest Jack gave vent
to when he learned what torture the wo-
man he loved had already submitted to,
| though, of course, the doctor was not
supposed to understand what it was
brought oaths from the lips unused to
swearing.
Under the circumstances Jack could
not be blamed very much, and, as his
anger was at white heat, had he been
aware of the fact that Dr. Grim was
spying upon his movements even then,
he would have made it particularly dis
agreeable for that worthy.
The mad-house doctor was man far
above the average in cunning, and, once
his suspicious in regard to the mock
keeper were aroused, he was like tiger
in the watch.
He knew nothing, only that the mans
actions seemed suspicious; he might be
entirely innocent, and the doctor was not
the one to scare away such a promising
hand simply for want of little watch
ing.
If he proved to be the spy suspected,
then the vengeance of the mad house
doctor would descend upon him like an
avalanche, crushing him like a worm.
Although Jack was not fully conscious
of being watched, except on general
principles, he was very careful in his ac-
tions, fearful lest all might be discovered
at the last minute.
The night fell.
Gradually the noises of the house died
away, for the doctor was severe in his
rules, and if his most unruly patients
persisted in making night hideous with
their wild shrieks, he quickly discovered
where their particular fear lay, and
treated them to dose of it until they
learned to obey.
Now and then, however, some poor
wretch would break out into wild cries,
as if Satan had in truth come after him,
but it was the duty of the keeper to
quiet these outbursts.
Silence was never of long duration in
that establishment, and the doctor had
seen fit to have the walls deQdened be-
tween the main part of the building and
his private rooms, so that it did not an
noy him to any extent.
Jack entered the cell Just after the
hour of midnight, fully pre- pared for the
venture. He found Nora Warner ready.
She had been in fever of impatience
and anxiety, fearing lest some little
thing which they had not counted on
would occur to mas their well-laid plans.
Even the presence Of Jack, in her pres
ent trembling state was of much aid to
her, for now that she had some one to
lean upon she proved her womanly nature
by letting her heart tremble, whereas,
had she but herself to depend upon, she
would have been as firm as rock.
Their work was but begun.
They must now manage to leave the |
mad-house and grounds, and to do this |
would require no little boldness and in
genuity.
Jack had observed the way we'll, and |
had even gained a couple of keys which
would aid them in reaching the yard at
least, though the great gate would still
bar their way, unless they could discover
where the key was kept.
Softly they glided from the cell and
along the corridor Suddenly the death
like silence was broken by a terrible
Shrek as some mailman awoke from his
awful dreams; and so highly strung were
her nerves that Nora could not but utter
cry.
Out of the mad-house they passed, and
across the yard The moon was shining
and the trees cast gaunt shadows upon
the white ground. They came to the gate,
but hurried search failed to disclose the
key. What was to be done?
Even while they stood there, irresolute,
low, mocking laugh smote their eurs,
and, turning like a flash, they saw the
mad-house doctor standing within few
yards of them, an evil smile on his face.
At almost the same instant the great
bell in the tower changed out its wild ap-
peals of alarm.
All was lost
Tn he c0DfjDueIO