Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-01-07

pOlnC OIL conscience TO save Il friend,
may think it bitter; think it just; but
then I'm not good, you know. I'm only
devoted-mind, body and estate, for
or rather for my friend, for l feel only
for one"
II believe you, Miss Wilder; you
have not even the slightest pity for
| the anguish suffer on Eudora'ss ac-
count" said Malcolm bitterly.
mo, not one bit; for you have the
use of your long limbs to go whittier
you please over this sunny earth. l
pity only that poor, sweet girl, who
cannot get out; who is waiting only
| for, death to release her from prison.
But she shall not die! BY all my hopes
Of heaven she shall notv' Kissed An
nella through her clenched teeth, while
the same fearful expression sat upon
her tightly drawn lips and cleaned
from her contracted eyes.
'She would not die if you. kind girl,
| by any effort or any sacrifice, could
save her; or If 1 could do so; but, oh,
Amelia, everything has been tried in
vain. Human power can do no morev'
groaned Malcolm.
."Can it not? We shall see! What
is the meaning of that noble proverb,
1t came from the wisdom Of ages, and
l believe it. My own will is so strong
that 1 shall find way to save her,
| though it should lead through floods
and flames"'
Dear, dear girl, one must honor
your single-hearted devotion to this
object, while at the same time
You believe me mad" interrupted
Amelia. Well, believe me so; it will
do no harm. Mr.. Montrose, I am at
this day a poor, weak, wild girl, as 1
may be in another a corpse, prisoner.
or an exile! but whatever becomes Of
me, Eudora shall be free!'
| "Annella, there is something in your
words and manner that fills me with
alarm for your sake. fear you will
attempt some desperate act, which in
stead Of serving Eudora, will only
ruin yourself. What is the plan you
are thinking off," inquired the young
man, in earnest kindness.
II will not tell you, Nh Montrose;
henceforth 1 shall act alone in this
matter; then, if my deed be a misde-
it; and if it be a mortal sin, my soul
only will perish for it," replied An
nella, with gloomy firmness.
"Well, Miss Wilder" said Montrose,
solemnly, whatever your own thoughts
may be, this one request I must earn
estly make Of you-that you say not
another word upon the subject Of res
cue to Miss LeatOn. 1t would be now
the greatest possible cruelty to dis
turb her thoughts with vain hopes of
escape, and prevent her from settling
her mind into that religious resignation
and composure that her awful con-
dition renders so desirable. Therefore
I must entreat your silence to her, at
least upon this anxious subject
"You have my promise. I will not
say another word to her upon the sub
.ject of her escape" answered Amelia,
with great emphasis.
They walked on in silence awhile,
until they reached a point where their
road forked-the right hand path lead
ing across to the Anchorage, and the
left hand one going into the town. An
nella stopped short, saying:
"Our way divides here, and I must
hurry home, lest my longer absence
should raise inquiry; but before I go,
Mr.. Montrose. have something to say
to you. and if you do really love Eu-
dora Leaton, and long for her release,
you will attend to what say
| Dear Amelia, am all attention.
answered Malcolm, in anxious per-
pleXity.
She looked up and down the roads,
and all around them, to see if any per-
son We're in hearing, and finding all
the way clear. she suddenly clutched
the hand of Malcolm. held it with
spasmodic grip. gazed with eager in
tensity. drew closer to him, and whis-
pered, with GREATNESS vehemence:
DO just as you would have done
if our plan had succeeded"
| CHIP
make all the arrangements for
| fight Just as you would have made
them if the governor could have been
bribed to connive at Eudora's escape"
81 do not comprehend you. What do
you mean?"
"Dullard! mean this go secretly
and find out some small vessel; hire
it, and keep it lowering near this part
of the coast ready for service ut mo-
ment'S warning; have 4 little row.
boat always at the beach ready to take
you to the vessel at an instant's no.
tice: keep your fast horse tied in the
shade Of the thicket, under, the dead
wall, at the back of the jail; and you
yourself walk every night up and
down before the front gate Of the pris-
on. just as you walked the first night
after Eudora's conviction, and
so wait for what fortune shall
send you; and then, when you find
Eudora standing before you. do not
stop to ask how she came there, but
catch her up in your arms, run with
her to the thicket. place her before you
on the horse. gallop to the beach. put
her in the beat, row for life to the
vessel and set sail for some foreign
port said Amelia, speaking with
breathlass excitement.
Dear, devoted girl. are YOU really
mad?" exclaimed Malcolm. in dismay.
NO" cried Amelia. with startling
energy. "only exalted above doubt.
fear, and selftishness. Promise that
you will do as I request"
"Well, to make these arrangements
will do no harm, though they may do
no good. Yes. Amelia. I promise"
answered Malcolm, earnestly.
and you will set about the business
immediately"
II will
|