The Forrest City times., 1891-09-11

Ous yCS-A uO uOt VIII trust to you cried the agitated girl as she sank back in her seat. Mrs. Topping drew down the blind and went away, leaving Lena alone in the room, where tokens f her lovers presence still remained. She rose and examined the trifies he had left behind. There was his pipe. his um- brella, his slippers and smoking-cap, and a book he had been reading. She carried the little volume back to the easy chair, opened it, and out fell her photograph.
 'tHe loves me-" she murmussd. He has gone to rescue me, weak end unfit as he is for the dangers which may threaten him; he trusts me still-he is faithful and true to me. My love, my brave sweetheart, you shall not seek me in vain!n
 She thought Of all that Mrs. Topping had told her of his devotion to her, | and, in the blissful remembrance of his fai ,hfulness, she fell asleep and dream ed of Clifford. It seemed but a few minutes before the landlady came back. .'Now, if you please, my dear Miss | Lena," she said gently, "Joe's going with you, for you're not going back alone if I know it; and whatever you wish know he'll do; he'll protect you and help Mir. Peregrine if he wants help; but don't be too venturesome, my dear. for I don't want you to be carried l off after all. and married against your will. Now the hy's ready; for thought 1 1t would be best for you 10 ride up | quiet and out of sight, in case Mrs. Judith should be proving about. Ex- cuse me, my dear. but my advice is, when you meet Mir. Peregrine go right 1 off and get married at once, with Joe | for witness; then you Il be safe, for your husband will take you out of the way of Madame Dumasque, Mir. Pere- 1 grine Is right down a gentleman, every l inch of him; he wouldn't care if he lost all of your money so long as he l got you. Come upstairs and bathe your face and hands and put on your | hat. I've packed some lunch against yoa're hungry; and Joe's got plenty of money; so d9n't you fret. but try and sleep in the train
 The tears came into Lena's eyes as | she poured out her grateful thanks: and the kind little landlady felt fully l repaid when she saw her drive away with a smile of gratitute and hope 1 lighting up her beautiful face. Joe sat | opposite to Lena in his Sunday l suit of broadcloth, and new pair of boots which pinched his corns and made the good fellow vince; but he did not mind he felt himself hero, prepared to go through anything since Miss Lena and his Sarah trusted him. They accomplished the journey with out any interruption on the road, and they were quite unaware that Judith had travcled with them all the way. That clover spy had seen Lena enter 'The Blackthorn,' and from that mo- ment had never lost sight of the house until she saw. from her place of con- cealment in the garden of an empty house near by, Joe Topping dressed in his Sunday clothes. Then she made her way nt once 10 the station. and waited out of sight for what should haPltth kfitt Ssie iStiISt anu lti BIo- tector arrive; she watched them take ticket for London. took one herself, and followed them until they eluded her on the way to Milf House, although she managed to get there be ore them.
 Lena and Joe sat out on their lonely walk from Fladgate station in the midst of heavy rain, and in the lonii- est part of the road were compelled To pause for shelter under tree. While thus waiting they suddenly heard oot- steps approa' hing their place of she!- ter; and the next moment man pass cd swiftly on towards the town, and Lena grasped Joe's arm eonvulsively
 .Who were ii. missp he asked soft ly.
 ''Mr. Dumasque,N she whispered. ''Oh. l wonder it he and Mir. Peregrine have met! We will go on, Topping
 at pours wi rain; you'll get wet through returned Joe. rubbing his chin ruetully.
 'Never mind. she persisted II can run. Come along-l must go on to the house. Mir. Dumasque was
 
 his hat in his hand-didn't you seep" in great excitement,
 Running from the rain mayhap," was Joe's reply.
 More than that" returned Lena; "I could hear him panting for brea h as he rushe l along. Something dread ful has happened am sure. cannot wait here any longer;' and she almost wept in her anguish.
 ''How far is it now. miss?" ques- toned her companion
 Rather more than half mile, and up hill all the way, which makes it seem farther. Come along"
 They hurried on towards the Mill House, the rain pour ng down and the wind blowing in violent gusts. At last they reached he path wh oh led through tho garden. lying op to the fife ds; and then Lena held up her finger to en oin caution, and stoalthily they drew near the hous I Inc draw ing room window was open halfway, the candles on the mantle-shelf flicker ed in the wind
 As Lena ventured nearer she could see her aunt in he pa before the davenport, apparently writing. anl she fancied she could hear sounds of suppressed weeping. What could be the meaning of the sobbing--the open vii dow-the meeting with Gustave?
 Il dare not venture nearer," she at last W hispeied to .Joe .,and | cannot