Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-18

joining the gamblers den, were speed1ly cut short by Dick Dawson placing his hand upon her mouth and hisslng a threat in her ear as he carried her swiftly along tho corridor through which the startled party escaped.
 To the terrified girl who had been snatched from the flood but q short time before, and whose senses were still awry, it seemed as if some horrible nightmare had possession Of her, when her voice was stilled and she felt herself carried away in the dark by some superior force. The whispered threat intensified this feeling aud thrilled her with fear. Could this be n dream within dream? She realized that her ssuses were now wide awake, but that she was helpless and her brain was throbbing wildly. She remembered falling in the river, and there was a strange wonder in her mind as to wheth- CT this was not some stage of awalling i'll the other world.
 Dick Dawson was a man of powerful frame. In his hands she was as powerless as a child and her struggles to free her self from his strong arms were fruitless.
 After carrying her through the long,
 
 crossed narrow bridge that led to an- other building, and was followed closely by the old woman, who seemed possessed of the agility of n cat, and who was well acquainted with this rickety path.
 As soon as they reached the platform at the far end of the frnil bridge, over which they passed from one building to the other, Dawson set Edith down and gave her into the keeping of tho old wo- man; then, with the delft turn of crank, he caused the bridge to disappear, and as sume the form of a fire escape on the side of the building to which they had crossed. The shanty they had just left now stood alone, but the automatic bridge the gambler and his friends were surpris- ed in their lair, and desired to make a nasty exit that way.
 From the platform or landing on which they stood, Dame Dawson led Edith into n largo, wcll~furnished, but dimly-ighted room cosy fire in Il cheerful stove con- tributed warmth and comfort to the place, which presented q striking con- trast to the squalor of the shanty.
 Edith was bewildered by these sudden transformations but she finally ventured to say:
 "What place is this? Why am I here ?"
 "You arc here, my dear," answered Dame Dawson, "hecause you were found in the river, and we took you in to dry Don't ask any questions now, my girl, but let mo get you some dry clothing at once, before you catch your death of cold"
 ,@, ments without delay, for which Edith was very grateful. The poor girl was chilled to the marrow, and scarcely able to stand. Although she secretely disliked the wrinkled old woman with the soft voice, and the keen, sparkling, suspicious eyes. she received her attentions grate- fully, for they were much needed.
 "You must pardon me- said the trem- bling girl, flor asking some questions, be- cause my heart is breaking to know what has become of my dear father. Has he been seen, or do you know if he is still alive?"
 This strange question gave Dame Daw- son a start. She could not understand it, and she began to suspect that Edith was in reality n maniac.
 "Your father, girl? And what might be the matter with him?"
 "Ah, don't you know? Did you not hear how he was injured at the mill to- day? Lost his sight, possibly his reason, and wandered away from home tonight Oh, it is terrible! What shall I do? What shall do?"
 "Poor grill" said Mrs. Dawson, with more genuine feeling than Edith thought her capable of, content yourself little while and all may be well. You should be greatful for the fact that your own life is spared, after the fearful experi- ence you had in the river"
 "Who brought me here?" asked Edith, at length.
 "I don't know. They left you with me and went away, knowing you would be well cared for. Now sit down a minute and I'll get you a nice warm drink, such as know you need, and when you are strong enough you can go home" 'Td rather go now" said Edith. 1T shall be miserable until I know what has hap pened to my dear father" In addition to her desire to ascertain what had happen ed to her father, she was anxious to get away because she had a strange haunting fear of the place. In a confused way she considered it queer, and could not recon cile her dim recollection of the shanty in which she awoke with the luxurient | elegance of this elaborate and richly furnished house.
 "It might have been a dream" she thought ''still it is all so wild and strange that it makes me nervous and fearful" But if it was bad place why this kind. ness on the part of the wrinkled dame, who seemed to take such q deep, sympa. thetic interest inher?
 The situation was full of mysterious contradictions to Edith, and she longed to get away without seeming rude or dis courteous.
 "1 think I shall go now," she said, rising and going in the direction of the door. You will surely have a warm drink first" urged Dame Dawson, "It's the thing you most need. Just sit there in the easy chair near the fire, or lie on the bed a spell and rest while am gone. I'll be back in minute"