Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-06-30

The Instant he appeared in the rear
room he was set upon and overpowered
by the men assembled there.
Stuart saw too late that he had walked
into a trap, and although he battled
desperately, he was dragged down n
flight of steep stairs, through dark
passage and into u cellar-room-
The young mans captOrs dashed him
down heavily upon the earthen floor, and /
as he lay partially stunned they hastily /
retreated and secured the door Of the |
cellar behind them
Stuart regained his feet and threw |
himself against the door, striving to open |
it, but ali his efforts In that direction |
were vain, the door would not yield. He |
could not open 1t.
Seating himself, Stuart reflected upon
his folly in rushing into danger. Pres |
emily he heard the sound Of footsteps on
the floor above his head, and the sound
OF female voice.
Listening intently, he recognized
Marion Oakburn's voice, and he heard
her prayer and the words that pro-
ceeded it.
She is innocent. Now have the
proof. That simple prayer, addressed
to Him who reads the secrets OF all
hearts, is proof positive Of her limo
cence," said Stuart, mentally.
Distinctly he had heard Marion utter
the words:
Father in heaven, Thou knOwest that
/ am Innocent"
Stuart had resolved to inform Marion
of his presence in the chair, and he was
about TO pronounce her name when the
door opened and four of his captors en-
tered.
The young man was seized and drag
ged to a rear apartment OF the cellar,
where he was locked In and left to soli-
tude and gloomy reflections.
The proprietor of the place had just
thought that possibly Stuart might COM
municate with the captive in the room
over the apartment 10 which he was first
consigned, and that was why he so in
opportunely changed the young mans
quarters.
When Stuart was dragged to the cell
lar the supposed assassin fed.
On the night Of Stuart's capture by
Marion Oakburn's jailers. the man who
had brought her letter TO Stanmore ap-
peared at the later hotel again.
StanmOre had literally feed this man,
and he had agreed not only TO guide his
patron to MeriOn's prison, but also TO
assist in accomplishing her escape.
The night was dark, and everything
seemed to favor StanmOre' s project.
He followed his guide with implicit
confidence, and the latter conducted
him straight TO the house in which
Marion Oakburn and Stuart Harland
were both held captive.
The building was a long, narrow
structure, and on each side of 1t there
was a vacant lot.
The room in which Marion was i'm
prisoned was on the ground floor in the
rear Of the house.
In this room there was but one win
dow, and this was protected by heavy
outside wooden shutters, which were
closed, and thus secured by a number
of iron spikes, so that Marion had found
II impossible TO open them.
StanmOre's guide was thoroughly in
formed as to the habits of the inmates
of the house; he informed that gentle
man that at the hour when they reached
the rear OF the dwelling 1t would be safe
10 force open the blind, and attempt to
enter MRrion's room through the win
dow, for Just then -the game" played in
the rear OF the restaurant proper would
be in full progress, and all the men
about the premises would be assembled
there.
Stanmore's companion. in anticipa-
tion of what was to be done, brought
with him a small iron crow-bar and a
steel chisel.
With these implements he set to work
to open the blinds on the window of the
room occupied by Marion Oakburn, and
StanmOre assisted him.
Working almost noiselessly, the task
of opening the blind was very soon ac-
complished.
Meanwhile, Marion had been warned
by the man who was now with Stan
more that an attempt for her liberation
would be made that night. Marion
heard the sounds made In opening the
blinds, faint though they were, but as
she thought they were made by the
friends who had come to hberate her,
she was not alarmed.
There was light in the apartment,
and when the blinds were open Stan
more saw Marion at the window.
WOndrously beautiful Marion looked,
though she was pale and careworn.
Poor grill Poor girl I hope your
trials will soon be over now, muttered
Stanmore.
Then he forced the window open and
entered the room, and Marion greeted
him ioyfully.
Stanmore's companion remained with
out the house to be ready TO signal his
associate Of the night In case he diseov-
cred any sign Of danger.
AS soon as Stanmore entered the
house, his assistant closed the blinds
without fastening them. He feared
that the light from the window might
betray them.
I received your message, and have
come TO save you; You did well tC
trust me. You must leave this place at
once" said StanmOre, taking Marion E
hands.
I knew you would not fail me. I am
ready to go with you anywhere. You
remind me Of one who IS very dear to
me, and know that if you are like the
absent one, can trust you even with
my life" said Marion.
You can trust me even as you would
him OF whom you speak, replied Stan
more, and his voice trembled slightly as
he spoke.
Marion put on her hat and cloak.
pausing now and then to listen, and all
the time in fear lest Stanmore should be
discovered, and her escape prevented.
She continued speaking as she attired
herself, saying:
4 wronged the honest man. of whom
you remind me, by doubling his truth
and honesty. hut now I know that he
was the soul OF honesty and honor.
At that moment Stanmore heard q
half-stiled cry from without, and he
thought he recognized the voice of the
man he had left on guard without the
house.
At almost the same moment there
came the sound Of a commotion in the
other part OF the house. and the tramp
OF heavy footsteps coming toward Ma.
riOn's room
StanmOre sprang to the window. and
tried TO open the shutters.
To his surprise and CONSERVATION, hi
found that he could not open the blinds
and he eOmprehended that they had beer
secured on the outer side since his en-
trance through the window
Has my companion betrayed me, o
has he been overpowered by the mem
beers OF the house before he could Civ
an alarm cried Stanmore.
He believed that Marfonss fOaa ba,