The Forrest City times., 1891-08-21

no one would near her cries; ana so she remained in her prison until. after what seemed long hours of weary waiting, the key turned in the lock and Judith appeared.
 live 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 place?" demand ed Lena with dignity.
 ''For safety. l 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 at her davenport writing rapidly. The girl faneied her aunt's face looked sterner than ever, her features more pinched. her eyes more sunken. Madame's lips were tightly compressed and almost white; she did
 not speak, but glanced quickly at her niece as she seated herself by the open window and looked out upon the fair May night. Not hreeze tritled
 with the young corn in the fleld-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 l 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 at last; Judith i came ill with coffee and, after short i interval. Lena left her aunt to go up- ] stars to her room. As she was walk l 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 10 1 her, and she recognized the thick set ! figure of the stranger who had fright 1 ened her at the window of the mill. 1 She managed to reach her room and i close the door: but she had no means l of securing it, for it had neither bolt | nor key. She felt convinced that this l mysterious visitors presence meant ! some harm to herself; yet surely her | aunt would not allow her .o be ill 1 treated-her dead brothers only child. 1 Then came thoughts ii 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 searcG for her, or was even then
 wandering about lonely and miserable 1 in a foreign land.
 1 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. l 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 l ill-fayored visitor had vanished and everything was proceeding as usual,
 although Madame Dumasque looked
 anxious, and Judith's brow was clouded.
 Day alter 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 Min HoIise. the man who had caused so much agitation was on
 his way back to the Continent bearing n letter and cheque from Madame Dumasque 10 her nephew, and Clifford
 Peregrine arrived unexpectedly at "The Blackthorn.n Mrs. Topping
 gave him hearty but solemn greet
 ing.
 Dear me. sir, said the landlady.
 "how ill you look I'm right grieved
 to sec you. although I'm glad; and I've
 nos got q scrap ot news. good, bad, or
 indifferent, and fear you've none for me.
 Nfl4AtbAh Sk4toh LIS httttA, anu StiiEk
 weurily into an easy-chair.
 "I have had nothing but ill-luck. he said slowly y-''all my efforts have been in vain. have searched England.
 scotland Ireland. Wales 1 have been abroad France to Germany. and as soon as l could travel, made up
 my mind to come here. that 1 might
 re-establi,h my health and begin my search again; for now I begin to think Madame Dumasque must be iu Eng
 land. Something seemed "a urge nc to come without delay to Abbotsford--
 and here l am.
 And, depend upon it. you've done right to come. siv. for it was a warn- { ing. Eve known many sueh~likc as one as was sent me not to go to ! Amelia "erkinss wedding, and l didn't. although pressed by one and all and causing nasty remarks about l my pride But it was hles ssing as 1 l stayed at home. for if 1t hadn't been ! for ne the plaee had been burnel 10 1 the ground aud 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 sec the 1 light and give the ularm-which I 1 couldn't have done if Ia been twenty