The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-12


that though my other garments were
soiled they would not injure the
still dirtier bed-clothing. Ny bones
ached from the effects of my rough
ride over the il-kept road At last
fell asleep. and was dreaming of fall
Ing over a precipice thousands OF feet
high into the Red sea, when some
thing aroused me suddenly. I sat up in
bed and felt for my pistol All right
But there was nothing to fire at
The moon had risen-it was on its
last quarter now, and gave very little
light. but I could see every object in
the room distinctly. Nothing was
amiss began to feel ashamed Of
myself, and lay down again.
Presently there was d faint rustlinE
sound at the head Of my bed and then
I heard the sweetest voice ia all the
world call family.
"Fidele! Fideler'
And then something white glided
across my chamber, and disappeared
under the bed.
And the same sweet vosce-it was
full Of tears now exclaimed.
.sOh, my poor LITTLE Fidelel Would
to heaven you could understand the
need Of your unhappy mistress, and
send some one to her rescued"
+ pressed sobbing, mingled with the
loud purr and the occasional mewing
Of a cat
I was young and not a little roman
tic. / slipped out of bed, lighted my
candle, and searching behind the bed
i soon found a round small hole
through which the cat had evidently
passed. These "cat boles" are still
to be found in many an old mansion.
put my mouth to the aperture and
spoke softly:
'Are you in trouble?
heard quick exclamation Of sur
prise-then the voice answered me:
Eyes, I am in trouble. Who are
you? Where are your
my name is Hunt Clarendon
am here in the next room What is
the lnatter2 How can I aid you?"
''Are you my friend2'
III should "a Their think SOP 4 replied,
Indignantly.
Forgive nae; but have been the
victim of so much treacheryr and
then ia a low, rapid voice, She told
nae tale which made my blood boil
John McKinzie was the landlord
He was the girls uncle. She was an
heiresss, and at her fathers death her
uncle had been left her guardian. He
he determined should be the husband
of Viola Shane Viola was the sweet
prisoners name. In no other way
could they obtain possession of her
property. Paul had tried his best to
win her. but he was extremely re-
pulsive to her, and she would have
preferred death to marrying him.
When her uncle found her so deter
mined he resorted to force. He circu-
lated a story that she had gone North
for some time on visit, and then cast
her into this disused part of the build
ing, and kept her a prisoner. When
ever she would consent To be Paul's
wife, then liberty was hers. She had
been there now nearly two years, see
ing no one but her uncle and his bru-
tai son. Fidele, the cat, had found her
out, and had been her sole source of
comfort.
assured her Of speedy release. and
set myself to work To accomplish it.
There was no door between the room
4 occupied and her prison. but the
walls were old and rotten, and with
the help of my knife, the poker and
the fire shovel, 4 succeeded in prying
off a portion of the partition. III was
slow work. but by diligence II soon
made space large enough for Viola
say that her face was quite as sweet
as her voice.
Victor, my horse, was a thorough
bred, and tough as whale bone He
had had a hard days work, but I was
not afraid to trust him for twenty
miles more, and I meant to take Viola
behind me, and ride to Beechclih-the
residence of my Aunt Catherine-that
very night
wrapped one of the blankets from
the bed around Viola. and lifting her
in nay arms, for she was so weak and
frightened she could scarcely stand, /
stole softly down the stairs.
AS I neared the lower floor a board
ereaked- You have probab bly, noticed
that boards have that popularity
when stiffness is greatly desired.
'.What the devil is that?1 cried the
hoarse voice of the landlord from a
room close by.
Nothing. siri' returned Il cheer
fully. ut is only Mr. Clarendon.
I thought my horse was loose-I heard
a noise
s.No need to trouble yourself.
stranger My hostler knows his biz
ness"
~An right" said ]; sorry dis
turbed you'll" and So I was
went On down the stairs, and
found the outer door secured only by
a wooden bar. This made no noise
ia removing Another moment and 7
stood with my terrified charge under
the frosty stars.
sought the sta bles. found Victor.
saddled him. mounted. and held the
girl before me. for she was SO fright