Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-04-18

4 ldF UtHctsu tilt IOOf, anu IL IS
weaker, fainter than before. Oh.
what shall we dop What can we do?
Here!n she cried as the landlord joined
her. where she stood, candle in hand,
| leaning over the iron rail round the
mouth of the mill-wheel well, and
trying to peer into the blackness
| below.
| "Take-take care!" she called,
dreading lest an accident should befall
her honest friend.
Don't you fret, miss; I'm all
right" he answered cheerily, as he
disappeared in the black abyss.
Lena waited in silence; fearing to
speak.
Pm all right, miss called out
Topping at last; ''but can't como up
for a few minutes. Don't you go, Miss
| Lena"
The girl assured him that she would
not move, and asked if he had found
anybody; but he made no reply, and,
not daring to make much noise, she
stood in fearful expectation until h e
camely slowly into view once more.
WELL" she said tearlully the mo-
ment he reached the top, ''whom or
what have you found? Be quick and
say!"
al cant rightfully answeryou, miss,
answered Joe slowly; "but there's
some one been thrown down there,
and they're alive, for certain. l ex-
pect they was meant TO go right down
into the well; but at the bottom OF this
first ladder there's kind of platform
for some purpose or other, and the
person has lodged on that; but there's
some shawls as has broke their fall,
and there's lady's bonnet there too"
But is it woman you have found?'
cried Lena, turning very pale.
"Well, no, it amt, Miss Lena; it's a
man-that's what it is" returned Top
ping slowly.
The girl stood in front OF him, and
said in resolute tone
"You need not try to hide the truth
from me. You have found Mr.. Pere-
grinc-tell me the truth, my good
kind friendP"
The expression on Joe Topping's
face answered her; for he looked at
her in a very solemn way, and his
kindly eyes were full of tears.
Come cried Lena-"come with
me to the house, or he will lie there
and die. We must have help-there
is not moment to lose; l will go at
once"
But your aunt, Miss Lena? Let
me go first" entreated Topping.
mo; l will go with you," replied
the girl; II do not fear her now. |
should not fear ten thousand aunts
while his life is in danger. Follow me
l will CO."
She opened tho door, letting in a
blast OF wind and rain, ran across to
the front door of the house, and knock
ed boldly.
The door was almost Immediately
opened; and, to their establishment.
Judith confronted them. She did not
seem at all surprised to see either Lena
or her companion.
"You here, JUDITH" exclaimed the
girl.
Eyes; L am here, Miss Lena" re-
turned Judith, surveying the figure of
burly Joe Topping with grim displeas-
ure. 81 came in the same train with
you; but my journey has been in vain
my mistress is dead"
Lena could not believe Judith; she
thought Madame Dumasqe had been
taken suddenly ill since she had
seen her writing by the window.
''She may not be dead-she may re-
cover" she answered wildly; ''but Mr..
Pregrine is lying unconscious in the
well of the mill-wheel, and he must be
saved. Oh, let us get help before it
is too late! My aunt will not refuse
me help"
She clasped her hands in passionate
entreaty; while Judith said grimly--
"Your aunt is past helping you; and
if she was not, you wouldn't care for
her to recover | should think"
Judith" returned. Lena indignant
ly, "do you imagine am SO ungrateful
and wicked as to desire her death :
Oh, do help me, and at once!"
''Who has seen Mr., Peregrine?" in.
quired Judith hastily, as she barred
the entrance with her tall figure.
II have" answered Topping. "rve
been down the ladder, and reckon
whoever sent him there didn't mean
him to come up alive"
A sudden flush rose to Judith's fore
head, a triumphant light CLEANED il
eyes.
1--WE will have him or his dead
body up" she said bitterly; ''this is
J some of Gustave's hand work. Fl
help you, and without delay. You
can't come in here't she added, shut
ting the door upon them and locking
it,
Lena looked in despair at Topping
as Judith left them thus; but in few
minutes she came from the back OF tho
house carrying some strong rope an6
lantern; then the three went in 81
lence to the mill.
They were destined to receive un
expected aid; for they had scarcely
entered the mill when carriage con
tanning Jacob Mustif and two police
constablcs drove slowly up to the
house.
Lena shrank back as Jacob came in
to the place, followed by the officers
She wondered what it all could mean
Judith looked at Mastif AID the con
stables IN araeGement. The ruffian wa
, evidently wanted as his hands wer,
secured and one of the men ATTENDED
| l., L. l., 4, II. 2