New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-20

become Il less absorbing pursuit than IT. used 10
be when II was ny only chance Of meeting Arthur
without his sisters and am content to hunt t"lce
week, or even once, il | ride 70 the meet with
him IN the morning
! thoroughly enjoy quiet afternoon at my
silk embroidery in the Ladies' Bower. but there
are generally nalf a dozen Interruptions Just az
the most interesting part of my pattcrn-thc most
pleasant icing from dear, old tawny 81. bernard
dog, Tiger by name. lie belonged to Arthur
before We were married but has taken a great
love for me. He knows Sarah does not allow HIM
upstairs, spends half his time in trying to CIR
clmvent her and pay his pondcrOUS respects 10 me
in my own room.
The f0rmality never varies-frst he inslnuates
paw, and then his person through the doorway,
having, as | very well know, previously pushed
against it with all his weight. as he has dScov-
cred that the latch gives way 10 pressure. lhel
he advances jOytllly, and scrapcS my dress Gown
with his huge paw next lays his head on my knee
expecting pat and says in dog language Maui,
which | take to mean Glad to you. Alter
this he signs contentedly as if his mission In
life were accomplished and lies down IN the
fulthcst corner of the room with head IN ms
paws, placidly watching me.
am not at all sure that Arthur will return to-
night, the meet has been at a distance ana
If the stag has taken particular line, when we
generally calculate on his doing when reused IN
fairfield covers Arthur will sleep at friend 5
house instead Of riding home among those dan-
gerous Dogs. ] have ordered five o'clock tea IN INC
bower instead Of the drawing room, ana lhVneu
Milly and Sarah 10 up and drink II WIN
me for the sake Of n change.
At about quarter TO , put away my Work
and draw round table toward the window taxing
heavy desk off IT, which deposit on the boards
at my feet. OF the events of the next few MN
utcs | can give no coherent description. Inc
ground suddenly gives way beneath my ieel am
| fall heavily after the desk ! know nor "htr
Nv first innnlSe is TO look up. ABOVE my
head are the substantial raftcrs under the iloOl
Of the bower. and a trapdoor closed by Nprih3
which | must have started III stopping 10 pace
the desk on the ground. . -,
\ dim LIGHT fllIs the room from what is evidently
the bottom of the Ladies' Bower window. We
have always known that the glass was continucI
10 the level of the fioor though hidden by the WIN
dow-scat. but no one ever discovered that II Went
n few inches further. ndcr this bar OF duSky
light is seatcd-a thing-unSpcakahly AWFUL r"Dco
i'm dark silk and Venetian point, rings ana
thimblc are on its skeleton myers, piece oil
work once white, now yellow with age, les IN I''
lap long trcs>cS of dark, silky hair, that have
gone on growing after all other life became eN
tinct fall softly to the very ground.
perceive as soon as | can collect my senses
that | am in the presence of the disgrace to Inc
family. -.
share vour terrible fate? Why did not God de
Nv attention is distracted by sounds above me
I can hear the tca-tray being placed on the tame
noises Of combat between Sarah and Tiger, who
scratches at the trap-door. whining ptr"uSN
then the snufng and scratching cease. con
olude that Sarah has trlumphcd, and dragged MN
ont Of the room 10y The scrun of his neck | nave
SO often caught hold of The loose soft iolds oI MS
wclliufrcd skin IN order to see him hravelH IN
dcavor to tuQ me No some very steep bit OF hlll
tbot n little feeling of indignation crccps into my
mind and rouscs my stunned faculties. ! com
nrchcud that as my hest friend has been banishcd
with coutumcly, | must cndcavor 10 help myself
Standing under the trap-do0r ] call as loudly as
| can:
Sarah-Sarah Allly, am down heTc-rish'
below YOU" but | receive no answer. II seem
os If my voice were StItlcd among the dust OIL
ccnturic,
pcturr them waiting Indignantly for tea, and
NJ last nourinc on, their own with sistcrly com
mcnts ON the rudcncss Of NY absence.
'''', 49,, wa s,. S'rgb is binding fault with tho
co., ,nt as !, * nov foslioncd-a wedding present
VI 'rn,,lyn - tr,- tb. effect Of an iuariiculat'
sbnut "a attract their attention. and putting botl
hands f. nv month 10 concentrate the sound.
STRIVE 10 emulate Arthur's view I" the hr>l
of my small power | have the satisfaction "I
hearing both girls rise and iy from me room
Now / understand the fate of the lost birdie. II
stYniGity Of man. that LETT her 10 die bt Inchr.
N HUNGER and despair. Her cries for help mus
have terrified Tie supcrStitiou~ household, instead
of bringing succor.
For myself ! cherish hopes Of escape on Arthur
return : he may remember my sir"ngr, thItc I'M
repeated dream. and couple 1t with llg'rs iu'i'
attempts nj a rescue; for / feel sure tie ihthiu
brute will come back 10 the trap-door III sPi"
OF Sarah .
NJ the next day must be spent IN TINS h"rrih'
ni,cc | pray that through the long hours oil
darkness | may be- permitted 10 retain NY reason
Else better ! should die: than that Arin"r Nh@ur