Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-09

| point. rings and q thimble are on its skeleton
fingers, piece of work, once white now yell
low with age, lies in its lap, long tresses Of
dark. silky hair, that have gone on growing
after all other life became extinct, fall softly to
the very ground.
l perceive, soon as can collect my senses,
that am In the presence OF the disgrace to
| the family"
''Oh, my poor innocent" whisper. ''must I
share your terrible fate? Why did not God de-
| liver you?"
My attention is distracted by sounds above
me. can hear the tea tray being placed on
the table, noises OF combat between Sarah and
Tiger. who scratches at the trap door, whining
| piteously. then the shutting and scratching
| cease. l conclude that Sarah has trlumphed
| and dragged him out of the room by the scruff
| of his neck. have so often caught hold of the
loose soft folds of his well-furred skim in order
to see him bravely endeavor to tug me up some
| very steep bit of hill, that little feeling of
| indignation creeps into nv mind and rouses
| my stunned faculties. l comprehend that as
| my best friend has been bGnished with con-
timely. must endeavor to help myself. Stand
ing under the trap door l call loudly as
| can:
'Sarah-Sarahl MillA l am down here
right below you!" but receive no answer. 1t
seems as if my voice were stifed among the
| dust of centuries
L picture them waiting Indignantly for tea,
and at last pouring out their own with
| slsterly comments on the rudeness of my
| absence
dare-say Sarah is finding fault with the tea
| pot, as it is new-fashioned-a wedding
| present
| 1 resolve to try the effect OF an inarticulate
shout to attract their attention. and putting
| both hands to my mouth to concentrate the
sound. L strive to emulate Arthurs view" to
the best of my small power. l have the salts
| faction of hearing both girls rise and fly from
| the room. Now | understand the fate of the
t1xoa mt he will Of Oh hrf he
| cowardice and stupidity of man, that left her
TO die by inches of hunger and despair. Her
/ cries FOR help must have terrified the super
stitlous household, instead of bringing succor.
For myself, l cherish hopes of escape on
arthur return; he may remember my strange,
three times repeated dream, and couple il with
| Tigers futile attempts at rescue; for l feel
sure the faithful brute will come back to the
| trap door. III spite of sarah.
Most likely whole night and the greater
| part OF the next day must be spent in this hor-
rible place. pray that through the long hours
OF darkness may be permitted to retain my
| reason. Else better | should die than that
Arthur should be chained to an imbeclle for
| the rest of his DAYS.
| Ipicture myself dead and forgotten, like the
| poor wreck beside me- tine innocent, maligned
| creature, who seemed to have met death while
| putting with her failing strength few last
stitches to the wifcly piece of needlework in
her hand, feeling perhaps the same kind of
comfort IN IL That Marie AntOlnette managed to
extract from knitting up the wool of her raw
eled piece of carpet. | think, with almost a
| smile, of the brave lieutenant who in his
strange woodland prison, combed his wig on
his knee. Alas, my hair is my own and my
| work Is above, in the bower.
Perhaps after all the greatest mercy that can
| befall me will be death in the night. and then
then, why perhaps Arthur will marry Miss
Muckeworth, All What Sarah calls my un-
| disciplined spirit rises in rebellion at the
| thought L determine not to die till have en-
| dured to the uttermost extremity of endurance
Oh, that could find some occupation; but
there is nothing in this terrible place that can
| touch
My heart sinks lower as it grows darker and
darker. At last speak to comfort myself with
the sound OF my own voice.
Marry Miss Muckeworth-no he shall notr'
Suddenly | hear mighty sound of voices.
barking, rushing, hammering. The trap door
springs backward, and Arthur's spurs. all over
mud splashes from the bog. appear in the open
ing, swiftly followed by his person.
Arthur
dot! will never leave you alone in such
house full of idiots again.
mo, not till the next meet, dear husbandr'
But my troubles were over, and the Disgrace
| to her Family" indicated at last, BelgrdUta