The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-07-11
CHATTER VII. (C9n!inued.}


very close to which his boat was moor
ed and pulling aside some low bushes,
he felt about i'm the darkness for some
time with his hands.
AT length he seemed to find what he
wanted, for his hand came in contact
with a small grating, and half lifting
this he was able to take hold of a han
die which, on being turned. enabled
him to push inward a portion of the
masonry at the foot Of the tower as
though ii were door.
This indeed it was, an iron door,
with stones so carefully and cunningly
fitted upon it that only a person who
knew the secret could ever detect tho
spot or suspect the existence of any
means of ingresS.
Frank passed through this door, but
he did not close it, for he had no fear
Of any one disturbing him. and he
meant to enter the castle without OBJ
servation and hide himself in some
dark corner, SO that he might have
one view of the gay scene in the ball
room, where the lady he loved was
sure to be the belle, and then he in
tended to return to the grounds as he
came. leaving no trace Of his stolen
visit behind him.
He had not been in this place for
many years, and he advanced careful
ly and cautiously. more than once
tempted to strike a light. yet fearful
of betraying himself by doing so.
This fear was increased by one or
two strange circumstances.
In the first place, the wind seemed
to rush through the vaulted passage
In perfect blast, and he fancied-
though of course he could not be sure.
as there was no light to guide him
that the false door of the chamber
above must be out of its place.
Fear of detection, and of suddenly
coming upon somebody he knew. mado
him stand and eagerly listen for every
sound.
He had just come to the conclusion
that whatever might be the condition
OF the floor above. the coast for him
self was clear. and he was about to
take few steps forward and mount
the iron ladder. which he often used
before, when the rush of wind in
creased and the sound OF voices over
head became distinct
There seemed to be words of expos
tulation and of encoura cement. then
there was despairing gasp of terror
as something appeared to fall.
Whatever it was. it's descent was ar
rested for moment, but only for
moment, then with a heavy thud the
something fell close to his very feet.
lie looked up, but there was no light
Whatever 1t might be that was living
so close to him, it uttered no sound.
and he was standing bewildered. not
Knowing what TO do. hesitating wheth-
tnF n
hght and ascertain what had happen
ed, when, as he was hesitating and
uoubtlng, he heard indistnctly the
grazing sound OF the floor above being
forced back into its proper place.
1t was only at this moment that the
conviction dawned upon his mind that
some fearful crime had been commit
ted OF which he had been the uninten
tional and unsupported witness.
A low grOan close beside him reused
him to immediate action. and he took
box Of wax matches from his pocket
and struck light
The desire that brought him here
this night above all nights was graft
fed; his eyes rested once more upon
the face of Kate Lilburne.
If ever prayer was granted and
came To the suppliant as II curse. sure
ly it was so now with Frank Fair
field.
He looked upon Kate as she Law
senscless at his feet: blood was flow
ing from wound on her forehead,
and from Il second wound on the side
of her head
And yet her fall had been slightly
broken by her gown having been
tDuOht nv soma nrpia,tiap from, thn
wall.
The wounds on her were serious.
however, and Frank tried to stanch
the blood with couple Of large hand
kerchiefs he had in his pocket
This was no easy matter, as he had
to do 1T in the dark, his wax matches
being of no use except for a second or
two at q time
Kate remained snnselnsS, and tho
young man tried to revive her by
forcing some brandy which he had in
his flask down her throat.
But his efforts were i'm vain, E nd the
dank vault in which they both were
chilled the blood IN his veins. while
the girl who was lying on the floor
was almost as cold as though she were
dead.
His first thought was for Kate. and
he took off his thick, warm ulster
wrapped her in il as we'll as he could.
then turned to leave her so that he
might rouse the inmates of the castle
and bring them to her assistance.
He had only taken few stG,os. how
ever, for this purpose before he pans
ed. suddenly rendered powerless by
the difficulties and dangers of the sit
uation. not only to himself but to
Kate, until she should be sufficiently
recovered to explain what had hap
pened