Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-09-19

"Ah, but Maud win far outmstch her
I fear. Ionce thought her moro gentlx
and smisble than her dster. But thu
bitter hate and vindictivsness she mani
tests are fearful. The los 10 hcrsslf and
the impossibility Of reclsiming was III
she seemed to think Of. Her father'l
danger and her mothers uncertain con
dition hardly excited an emotion. A
soon - Austin and I could interrupt
Maud's excited recital Of her own mis-.
fortunes I alluded to The stsangs sounds
! heard ON entering.
"'Pshawi that's, nothing ssid Maud,
mother has kept tho house In an uprosz
all night. kept myself out Of the way.
I assure you, and left father to take care
Of her a. best be might. He deserves Il
all and moro for bringing this great
shamc upon u.s.
"'Have you seen your mother thia
morningr I asked. greatly surprised.
"'No, indeed. stsid ~ long a. ! could
endure her temper last night. II I had
followed Stella's example and left earlier.
! might have saved my own possessions
from her hands. Mother may learn Of
Estella's dutiful conduct by some one
else. She has been exalted above me and
cited a. an example for me 10 initiate
long enough. Now I hope mother will
enjoy this new evidence Of her favori
smartness, but I'll not take the first blast
Of her rage, assure you. She'll Hnd tn I
!. too, can keep my own counsel ~ well
90 Stella
"'Oh, Maud! This Il shameful! Twill
st least seek your parents and try to help
them
"'well, 20, Don Quixote, and succor
the distressed. Success attend you. ]
kope you will enjoy It.
"Ithrew open the door, and again those
dismal soundsi I paused o moment,
when Q wild, unearthly shriek rang
through the house. I caught Maud's
hand.
".Go with me-
".I will not
Unnatural childi You shall! There
Ii some strange mystery here, and you
shall accompany rs while we unravel II.
Come, Austin Our determined man.
ner and probably Q fear Of being left be-
hind compelled her to go. but reluc-
tantly. and we passed through the splen.
didparlors into the gloomy family sitting
room"
lie paused moment and covered his
face with his hands, while his audience
sat with pale faces. dreading the sequel.
"a fearful sight met our eyes," he
continued. "Would I could forget II!
Mrs. Le Barron sat In large easy chair
In the most fearful paroxysms. The old
butler and gardener and two women, one
Of whom, think. was her dressing maid
and the other perhaps the cook. were
standing over her. All looked chilled
and exhausted. The window shutters
remained unopened, and the gas was still
burning. When we came near, we saw
that she was tied to the chair.
".Indeed, sir, we could not help II.
She was furious and has been most Of
the night. And that was the only way
we could manage her and be safe our
selves
"'Have you called 9 physician
"'No; we can't leave her. and we can't
make any Of the other servants hear II
we called ever 50 loud
"'Stupid! Why not have rung the
bell till some one would hearr
"'we think, SIR said the gardener.
with some hesitation, that there's no one
to hear In the house. "Rsts leave q sink.
ing ship" and this ones going down
mighty fast, I Judge. and then, begging
your honor's pardon, we feel fearsomc
bout going to the bell. There's some
thing strsngelike bout master, and ne's
close to the bell.' Austin and ] spiang
to the recessed corner 30 dimly lighted.
Oh. Mr.. Newton. have, cowar'llike.
left the worst to the last! In his chair.
his head resting on the marble pillar, was
La Barron"-