Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-03-07

no ono would hear her cries; and so
she remained in her prison until, after
what seemed long hours of weary
waiting, the key turned in tho lock
ana Judith appeared
1.-Two got rid of him at last" she
said in her grim manner. Now,
Miss Lena, we will go back
"Why did you leave me alone lock-
ed up in this horrible placer" demand
ed Lena with dignity.
''For safety. | couldn't Let that
man stop there staring at you. You
may thank me for having my wits
about me. But he is gone, so there is
no danger now"
The light and comfort of the draw
ing room were very grateful to Lena
after her fright. Madame Dumasque
sat there a. her devonport writing
rapidly. Tho girl fancied her aunt's
face looked sterner than ever, her
feau res more pinched. her eyes more
sunken. Madame's lips We're tightly
compressed and almost white; she did
not speak, but glanced quickly at her
niece as she seated herself by the
opcn window and looked out upon the
fair May night. Not hreeze triled
with the young corn in the field-not
even the twitter Of bird was to be
heard; the silence was almost more
than Lena could bear, and she would
have wept if She had dared. As she
sat looking up at the blue sky above
her, she felt that some fresh crisis was
close at hand. She thought if she
could only learn what danger menaced
her she might be able to provide
against it; but there was no one to tell
her or warn her-no voice to cheer
her dropping spirits-no hand stretch
ed out to clasp hers and guide her in
the darkness OF her way to light and
safety.
Madame Dumasuqe finished her
closely written pages AZ last; Judith
came in with coffee; and, after q short
interval, Lena left her aunt to go up
stairs to her room. AS she was walk
ing towards the staircase, she stumbl-
ed and nearly dropped the candle
stick she was carrying; for, through
the open kitchen door, she caught
sight of man sitting with his back to
her, and she recognized the thick set
! figure of the stranger who had fright
ened her at the window of the mill.
| She managed to reach her room and
close the door; but she had no means
of securing it, for it had neither bolt
nor key. She felt convinced that this
mysterious visitors presence meant
some harm TO herself; yet surely her
aunt would not allow her to be ILL
treat ed-her dead brothers only child.
Then came thoughts of Clifford-tor-
turing fears that they should never
meet again, or that, meeting, she
should be beyond his love and protec-
ton. Perhaps he had doubted her
bravery, her faith, and had given up
his search for her, or was even then
wandering about lonely and miserable
in a foreign land.
She lay down, but not TO sleep; the
moonlight flooded the room, and seem
ed to bear her company and soothe
her in her hour of need. At last she
slept, and in her sleep dreamed of her
home at Abbotsford and of the church
yard where her parents lay. With
the morning sunshine Lena's fears al
most vanished. She went downstairs
with lighter heart to find that the
| ill-favored visitor had vanished and
! everything was proceeding as usual,
although Madame Dumasque looked
anxious, and Judiths brow was
clouded.
Day after day went by, each bring
ing its regular round of occupations;
and soon all fears concerning the
mysterious visitor gradually faded
from Lena's mind.
While matters thus took their usual
course in the Mill House. the man who
hal caused so much agitation was on
his way back to the Continent, bearing
letter and IA che4ue from Madame
Dumasque to her nephew, and Clifford |
Peregrine arrived unexpectedly at
I 1.-The BlacSthorn." Mrs Topping
gave him hearty but solemn greet !
ing.
dear me, sir" said the landlady, |
show ill you look! I'm right grieved
to see you, although I'm glad; and Eve |
not got scrap of news, good. had, or
indifferent, and l fear you've none for !
me-
Clifford shook his head, and sal i.
YEARLY into an easy-chair.
al have had nothing hut ill-luck," INA.
said slowly-''ali m. efforts have bc,9.
in vain. | have searched England. |
Scotland. Ireland, Wales; have boom |
abroad-from France to Germany, and |
as soon as ] could travel. made up |
my mind to come here, that | might |
re-establish my health and begin my |
search again; for now / begin to think |
Madame Dumasque must be in Eng !
land. Something seemed TO urge me
to come without delay to Abbotsford-
and here | am" i
"And, depend upon it, you've done !
right to come, sir, for it was warn
ing. I've known a many such-like as
one as was sent me not to go to i
Amelia Perkins's wedding, and | |
didn't, although pressed by one and
all and causing nasty remarks about |
my pride. But it was a blessing as | |
stayed at home, for if it hadn't been |
for me the place had been burned to |
the ground and we might have been i
burned to death in our beds; for that |
very night our ostler fell asleep in the |
barn and set fire to the place with his |
pipe; and | was the first TO see the |
light and give the alarm-which |
couldn't have done if I'd been twenty |