Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1894-03-31

,uy1, against which II seemed that one
would crash ct q sinRle steps advance.
Jecil and janet shudderingly contempla-
led the black cone for moment. and, af- /
back to the hospice, refusing to attempt |
The ascent.
SIT II cruel and brutal to force any one,
against their will, into such . horrible ex-
psIiencel" exclaimed Janet Indignantly.
s'Cecn may do a. abe likes. Ishan remain
Oh the Casa"
ST have always been an obedient daugh-
ter, sobbed Cecil, ''but this is too much.
I positively refuse to 60 step further"
Poor little Laplock rolled his eyes, first
ct the girls and then ct Mrs. Lapleck and
her sister, in momentary helpless Devil
derment; but any one could have seen that
he was secretly proud of their unexpected
and spirited resistance.
ssLillibridee Lsplockl" finally shouted
Mrs. Laplock in Q towering rage, will
you stand there like q gibbertDg idiot and
see you wife dsfied-defed on Mount Etns
In the presence of grinning hirelingsp
SIT Il positively astoundingi" gasped the
sympathetically indignant Miss Coventry.
"Antoinette Won Houler Coventry Lap
locki I most undeniably, unequivocally
and unqusli6edly dol This thing has
gone on long enough. There are one or
Two people III tu0 Aop4UcA AoAAAy SoSA>AS
yourself-not all Mind, perhsps, madam;
but still, matter; matter, madam, that
from this latitude, longitude, attitude,
time, date, hour, minute, is going to Dc
taken slightly into account"
Never before had the patient little man
conducted himself like this. Besides, the
revolvers were again in his hands, and the
delirium of joy at discovering himself at
last an emaneipated man was 80 great, that
it set him dancing and whirling around
| and around npon Etna's lava shoulder, like
Mrs. Lsplock shrieked and Miss Coven-
| try also shrieked. No one Immediately
| coming to their assistance, they slid down
| upon the ground together, tumultuous
| heap of humiliation aud defeat; victims of
arrested female development at the hands
| of tyrant Man.
Then the guides kindly stood them upon
their feet again, while Mr.. Lsplock ran
back to the Casa; ecstaticslly Rugged both
the young ladies' while vowing that the
three would stand together the rest OF
their natural lives; left them his firearms
i and the INDUCTION to be comfortable to
gether as we'll and as long as they could
and then, In demure but still hilarious de-
fiance, rejoined the party, assuring thu
ladies' that he was at their service for thu
ascent of the peak, or the descent of thu
crater itself, If 1t would in the least con
tribute to the happiness of the Laplccl
family Mind.
Back at the Casa, Cecil and Janet built
rousing fire; barred the outer door; triet
the door communicating with the littl
third apartment as well as Its outer door
which faces the path to the crater; cuddle'
themselves upon the hunks for another re
freshipg sleep; and, when they were las
l l. IL 1ako AM
| streaming through the little windows @
tie hospice, set themselves diligently q
the loving task their conspiracy and sue
| cessful rebellion had made possible.
Il This was letter to their betrothedG
written by Janet, interlsrded and amende
a score of times by both, and finally hastil
transcribed and read aloud by Cecil as TO
lows:
D Dear Winfield and Tom:
We write hastily to you from the Casa Ingles
near the summit Of Mount Etna, where we MAJ
| eecured few hours privacy, through an act {
D | absolute defiance. What may be its dLeadf
results We cannot possibly imagine: We a
| that We shall never see either Of you again.
. She also goes on terribly about lots of otht
, We could not have secured this fortunate O.
| portunity of writing had not Cecls poor pal
scene. We are very proud of him now and lo'
q him more dearly than ever.
But tn1nK, you can, now We hEc bituaIo
Q | Utterly alone Cat this moment) in an old stol
g hut at the top of this dangerous volcano. Sa
age beasts may be prowllng about us The mo
| dreadful banditu may at any time attack us
J, deed, only yesterday the guides and Cecils pa
:. | saw them lurking around the Casa where we al
4 But Mr. Laplock left his pistols with US and ,
= are resolved to sell our lives dearly.
It is all too horrible to write about further.
both never believed human beings could be qui
"a | so Wretched.
. Did you call at Rosemary villaa Do write
{; at once to the Hotel Continental, Paris where
shall be in the latter part of May be sure to So
y the letter In Mr.. Lapock's care and to put ''Ps
| souar' on the envelope in several places.
Do believe us when we assure you we are cru
J. | ly deceived as yourselves. We are ordered tre
y Brighton to Folkstone, through deceptive d
| the truth, we could scarcely bear 1t. How y
l. | both must have felt, too! 1t was all perfec
r | dreadful!
=. We have thought you might do somethir
>, | You would have Mr.. Laplocks manful co-ope
q ton now. Remember where we are to be In adj
u We do net know where we may be dragged
10 from Paris. We are expecting the folks frt
the crater at any moment and must close; NJ
d ing and praying for opportunity to post this
ID Catania. CECIL AND JANET
P.s.-Don't forget to send your letter in I
.. E.s.-Write to us the very moment you rece
is this.
r. P.S.-we are both Of US wretchedIy miserat
= @. and J
The reading of the letter was scarce
a. h. 90 4