The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-06-25
A Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHAPTER XIV.

d8ll, OF OapG. hulCI1uoOu, eS ho " o'
mostly known, h:d been on the watch
since his arrival in Chicago.
He knew Just how every room In the
Nou cottage was located, and just how
they looked. OF the chambers, Leno-
ra's was the best and Gertana's second
nothing was wanting for comfort and
beauty in either. Lenora's maids
chamber was just off of hers, and Ger
tana's apartments were arranged In the
same manner.
The servanto' chambers were at the
southern end of the building.
A short corridor led from the main
hall to the servants apartments, and
to the right of this corridor was a
short ISght of steps that led to the
attic. There was also another short,
steep fight of stairs that led from the
end of this narrow passage, down into
the backgrounds. ..
It was by these steps (the back hall
door having been left open) that
Hutchinson quietly stole his way
into the cottage, with a small bag OF
provisions on his back.
He ascended into the garret, which
he made his only place of lodging for
two weeks. In this manner, he had
excellent opportunity of learning the
secrets of the Noll cottage, and, with
the information he had already gained
from the unknown, he was able IN that
manner to plan and lose no time.
The servants hall was under that
part of the garret where he slept, and,
as he had removed board or two from
the floor, he was able to hear about all
that was said.
In the evenings after their work was
ell done, the servants would gather in
this room, and relate to each other all
they had done, seen and heard during
the day.
>. On this, the night OF the thirteenth,
they assembled earlier than usual,
and had long, lively talk, but finally
they retired to their rooms and were
soon sound asleep.
About midnight the cautious spy
auiatly stole from his hiding place,
armed with large bottle Of chloro-
form.
He had, during his stay in the gar
ret, secured duplicate keys for all the
rooms, and knew just what key fitted
each lock.
OF course, it was not much trouble
for him to enter the room of tired,
soundly sleeping servant and, in very
short time, he had every servant in the
house IN such a condition that they
would not waken up until late the next
morning.
He then quietly stole down the main
hall until he came to Gertana's room !:
there was 10 noise within, and the gas
was turned off. For some unknown
reason, the door had not been locked,
and he quietly pushed it open and en-
tered. As he walked on the soft velvet
carpet, no sound could be heard; he
reached Gertana's bed without dis
turbing her. This strange midnight
visitor then went to Nissou's room, and,
after waiting q few minutes for the
ohloroform to have the desired effect,
he drew the slide of his little pocket
lantern, and glanced at his watch.
Good heavens I have scarcely time
now to get the girl in the box and get
to tfat train.
"Myl But won't they be surprised
set at that fine mansion when they see
that beautiful girl"
He then drew from an inside pocket
OF his coat letter addressed to Madam
Gertana Girindani, Noll Cottage, and
laid it on the dresseri in her room; then
slipping quietly to Lenora's room, he
found the door locked. and the gas
not turned out, but very low.
Il do not like to disturb them in here,
Or have them make any noise, but time
is precious, and I will risk it.
He unlocked the door as quietly as
possible, and went in. Lenora was moi
disturbed, and, rs she lay there on he2
bed, Hutchinson at first thought hel
dead.
Heavens! Is all lost, and have ]
been working here for the last week OF
30 for nothing? She can't be dead, fo1
] heard the servants say she was better
this evening""
As he moved the bed he saw slight
rising and falling of the clothes thai
covered her chest.
"Ah! Thank God; she bresthes
and am saved"
A cloth, saturated with chloroform,
was pressed to her nose, and the mid
night adventurer then went to the
watchful nurses bed.
As soon as he thought it safe to make
any noise he went back to Lenora's
bedside.
"Oh, how pretty she is; ] am afraid
70 touch her, but I must, poor child
for I know she is miserable enough here
Won't that brave young chap idolizt
hor? Heavens! Who would not?
"Ihave never had chance to pay hin
back for that little lift ha gave me
once. Why, would have been dead
man to-day if he had not come along
Just then. I'll bet my life that after
he once sees that girl, he can never
love another woman as long as be
lives"
While these thoughts were passing
In this kind-hearted, but wicked young
mans mind, he was busy wrapping nice
warm blanket round Lenora's body,
and, Ius,ng her little form from the
bed, with the pillow still under her
head, he stole from the house, and out
into q binding snow storm. An ex-
press wagon and a rough-looking
box. was stapiiing in the alley-way,