The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1889-01-16


ter she rose from her seat and came out at
the rear door. The clouds which had OBJ
scured the faint starlight at this moment
rolled away, and the features of both the
intruder and astonished girl became quite
distinct.
She stopped and gazed at him for mo-
ment in silent amazement. Any other girl
would have shrieked, swooned or fed at the
sudden apparition, but Bertha was no ordi-
nary parsonage.
"Why did you come here9" she asked, In
a sad, reproachful manner. ~ warned
you never under any circumstances to en-
ter these grounds, under penalty Of death;
why do you insist in disobeyinG met" -. y
Allen was for several moments unable to
answer, because he had no reasonable ex-
cuse to make. At last he said:
"Do not reprove me- Miss Collins, for as
sure you that it was no morbid curiosity
that brought me-"
"Could you understand the danger in
which. you place yourself by coming here"
said the pretty girl, taking a few steps
nearer to him, ''you would not do so. 1t is
dangerous to you and to me. It would be
death to US both to be discovered here"
Allen Gray was only deeper plunged into
this dark mystery. He was speechless, his
brain seemed stupefed, and he was incapa-
BILE of thinking. He stood dumb, amazed
and almost as pallid as the girl before him.
She came quite close to Allen, and speak
ing in cautious undertone that could not
be heard dozen PAGES away, said:
"Go away, Mr.. Gray; go at once, and
never come near me again if you value your
life"
"Win you 60 with me to the gates" he
asked.
I" give you my sacred promise that
WILL" said Allen, earnestly.
He took the arm of the trembling girl
within his own, and in silence they walked
to the gate. Here they halted both casting
anxious glances at IL, great old house
which rose up so gloomily before them. To
the relief Of both all was quiet, and there
was no one in the yard.
"Go, CO." said Bertha, eagerly. Though
speaking in whisper, her voice trembled
with passion and fear. cit would be fatal
for you to be discovered here; it would be
your ruin-death-" She became choked
with sobs, and for moment was silent.
BERTHA" said Allen, his voice strangely
calm, "yOu are in great dlstress-What is
it7''
"Oh, do not ask" she answered, continu-
ing to sob. "Leave me to my misery and
eternal doom. am the most wretched of
humans, my fate is sealed, and it is useless
for others to attempt to aid me. Go away
go away"
"But will not leave you alone in this
distress. What is ita Tell me that may
help you"
81 can not, dare not tell"
Bertha, you are miserable hereW
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 can not leave-I am held
here by bands stronger than irons
How long have you lived here's"
4" Not more than eight months-though it
seems 80 ny ages"
Another moments awful silence followed,
and then Allen, becoming desperate, said:
Bertha, would aid you if l could-I-I
would give my life if necessary"
Hush-hush-" she quickly interrupted,
selling his arm "You know not what you
say. Oh, why don't you goa 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 to ruins' and, completely overcome,
she buried her beautiful face in her hands.
Dazed, bewildered 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
affectionss He seemed to realize that she
was lost, lost to him forever
A voice at this moment in the direction of
the great old house caused both to start,
and the beautiful girl again Selling his arm