The Dickinson press., 1894-06-02
a buSba3d'S
~CriM2.
~ FLORENCE .vARDEN.

time IN preliminary speeches. lie had
come to the point just Is the girl EN-
tered the room.
"By-the-by. Marmaduke." he was
saying. trying TO peak carelessly. but
betraying his excitement both in look
and tone: "Algcrnon tells ME of a won-
dcrful discovery you made in your
wine-ccllar a little while ago, Of a hid
den bin of choice wine. l propose that
in honor of your return you should take
us down there and let me choose a
bottle to drink your health on your re-
turn home"
Duke started, flushed deeply and hest
tated. Mr.. Bennington insisted, with
rising excitement. The three onlook-
crs watched and listened with painful
interest; Minna with a chill of terror.
Dukes manifest reluctance was so
great as to fill her with alarm. which
grew suddenly more definite upon her
unclc'S next words.
Come" said he. trying in vain to
assume Il jocular tone, IF you wont
let us see into this wonderful cellar. we
shall think you have something there
| which you ant to hide"
Duke was standing in the middle of
the con with Il daZld expression on
his face. which he had worn from the
first moment that this expedition was
| proposed. Now, he stood without an
| Swering; and when his uncle thrust his
arm through his to lead him toward the
door, he seemed too Stupcfird to offer
any resistance. Minna, however, white
faced. trembling. spring before the
door and barred the way.
HE must lot so downstairs. uncle.
He would catch s: chill. Remember, he
is Il q Yet strong"
But Mr.. Bennington brushed her out
of the way. as If she had been 81 fly.
Opposition to his stubborn. patient will
was altogether useless. Still holding
Dukes arm. he merely said to the girl:
"GO and fetch the cellar key"
II can't. Cicely has it. cannot dis
turb her" painted Minna. while the two
young men stood in the background,
watching; and listening With ever-in-
creasiny awkWardnCSS, beWilderment
and fear.
Tell lier I o fetch it, said Mr.. Bcr-
rington To his nephew, in the 1one Of
Il dictator.
Duke nodded to the girl, still in a be-
wildcrcd. half-stupid manner
Minna flew out Of the room and up
stairs. and presented hers If, painting.
before Cicrly. The young wife. who
Was on her knees. Sprans up at the
girl : entrance. and put something into
her hands without waiting 10 he asked.
1t WAS the key of the cellar.
Her eyes burned brightly. ficrcely;
her lips were dry and oircllcd.
Take it," She whispered IN cultural
tones. And mind you don't bctray by
a single glance where the secret door
was. And tell the boys
She pushed the girl from her hastily,
and fell once more on her knees. Min.
ia went down stairs with trembling
feet.
Uncle and nephew We're already at
The cellar door: the two younger men
were at the head of the stone staircase
dissuade .Algy from going down, but
tile curiosity of the OTTER vas too
| strong.
please don't remember anything You
saw-when you We're down there last
time" painted Minna. as she passed
them on her way down.
The young men gave Il mumblins as
sent, and followed her slowly 10 the
bottom of the staircase. as MIR. William
Berrington's hard voice was heard call
ing to them to cOme
Duke himself. still supported by his
unclc's arm. still looking us if he only
half understood tho import OF his ac-
tons. took the key from her, and with
some difficulty. for his hands We're
Weak and trembling, turned it in the
lock, and suffered Ills uncle to lead him
-. a.. Ill.,. 4 s,1,;v,nu1 ~, 1,r
stepped over the uneven ground, and
glanced about him as ii II" wanted to
escape. His unclc's strident voice
echoed through the vaults.
Come now. where is the precious
bin? Don't pretend you have forgotten
the way to it."
NO. / have not forgotten" answered
Duke in Il faltering voice. And to
Minna's surprise and horror, he led the
way straight i'll the direction Of the
secret door.
But it was no longer to he seen. A
row of White bins partly filled, occupied
the space against the wall before them.
Duke started in hGwildered man.
nor at the new obstruction.
1T was here, I'm sure it was here"
was all he said.
His uncle shook his arm impatiently.
Nonsense" he said abruptly. IF it
had been there then, 1t would have been
there now"
.'SOmcbody must have blocked it up
} again." he said at last.
His uncle moved impatiently.
Now who would, who could do such
q thing?" asked Mr.. Bennington sharp
: ~:
h Dukes answer was given with dis
concerted simplicity. .
+ "I'm sure l don't know" he said
G Then Il fresh idea seemed to strike him
u and he began trying to move the bin
away. CHANGING round toward the othe
} two Young men, he called to them II
y help him.
Reluctantly enough. and sharing Min
) mas fear, they did SO.
But when by their united exerton'
= they had succeeded in removing tn.
wine-bins, it was only to find a fresl
!, obstacle. The doorway was blocked ant
entirely hidden with boards and oil
broken bricks.
Duke uttered an exclamation so en-
tircly like genuine surprise that it wa
, almost impossible to believe that b
n could BIZ only acting.
Its boarded up lie exclaimed.
The bricks. however, were only bull
4 in one upon another without cemcn o
is any kind. so that when he pulled at on
of the boards the whole obstruction
S began to give way. \ few more effort
II disclosed the paddock on the door.
II That's it: l told you so"! he cried
Il turning to his uncle. II knew the doc
& was here, though how 1t came to b
&c blocked up again I can't imagine. Blu
D. now. where's the key"
.o we must do without that" said tn
IS elder man shortly. The doors old, an
Il, l don't suppose it will hold out asains
If any one who means business. Wher
le there's Il will there's Il way.
&c Selling one Of the displaced bricks, h
dealt OH the door a shower Of blow
in which made the old wood split an
1T crack until at last. with Il loud noise,
broke away from its hinges and fle,
/, omen. hanging to the paddock. At th