The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-13
fChanter X continued. }

chair, and fell into a passion of angry
tears.
Presently I grew calmer. All my pride
was aroused, and determined, by one
method CT another, to be even withaa the
man who haG used me SO UNANIMOUSLY.
Instead of struggling in vain to escape,
I would await my opportunity, and seize
it. There was nothing Else to do.
Suddenly 1 heard voices through the
window. i arose, looked ont, and lis
tened. All was still very dark, but l dis
tinctly heard the voice of Langford giving
some directions. A gruff voice replied
"Au right, your honour" then heard
the sound of a horses hOofs growing
fainter and fainter. Some one was gal
Looping away from the house.
I returned to my seat and sat looking
at the fire.
Presently the door opened, and the old
woman appeared, carrying a tray covered
with white napkin. On the tray was a
basin of broth, some biscuits, and glass
OF wine.
This time I made no attempt to escape,
but remained seated, watching the
woman, who placed the tray on small
table beside me.
tsWiu your ladyship ate and drink
something?'' she said coaxingly. ''Sure
it's poor fare for great ilady like you.
but it's the best ould Mamie can offer
We this night.
'sWhere is your master?'' asked.
He's ridden away to Mulrany :" was
the reply. II was to tell you he'd be back
at daybreak.
In nomentTI leapt to my feet and ran
20 the door which stood wide open, but
on the threshhold I was captured by two
men who stood on the landing; one was
old, the other young, but both were
strong and powerful. -----. -
Eye can't pass, my lady said the
older man, We're to watch over you till
the masterscomes back o.
q For God' s sake let me go !'' [ cried.
Help me from this house. I am rich
you shall be well rewarded; you know I
am prisoner here; you know have
been kept here against my will, and
.'Suro we know all that. my lady, an
swered the old man respectfully, but
we've our orders from the master. You
don't lave here till it's his pleasure that
you shall gol'
Come now, honey, and ate bit, y
said the old woman softly.
looked at the men, and saw that they
were determined, and with an angry cry
I walked back to my prison.
How the rest of the night passed
scarcely remember. I was again left
alone to my own wild thoughts, and at
last worn out and hopeless | must have
fallen asleep.
I awoke snivering The fire had gone.
out, and the cold grey dawn was creeping
i'll through the window. arose YEARLY
and looked out The room 1. occupied.
was at the top of the house: below it was
q large paved yard, with stable and out
buildings, and beyond that a dreary pros
pect of bog and mountain.
man was in the yard whistiing and
polishing some harness. He was young;
and stalwart peasant, and l had never,
TO my knowledge. seen his faue before.
He looked up and our eyes met, but he.
Immediately turned his face away. |
onened the window and called to him;
l-erN M ar yUhafp 7 iQNEn6
around on every side, and saw only the
dreaTy landscape lighted by a rainy dawn
but suddenly I heard the sound OF horse
ealIop1ng, and Immediately afterwards
Mr.. Langford, wet and mud-bestained,
RODE into the yard.
He aliGhted and handed his horse to the
man, who said something to him, and he
looked up towards the window, and
waved his hand.
] turned away from the window and
waited quietly. In a few minutes heard
footstep on the landing. and there was
q knock at the door.
"1Iny come in?'' said the,,voice of the
master of the house..
l made no reply. After a brief pause
the KEY was turned in the lock ,sthe door
opened, and Mr.. LangTord appeared.
"Good morning, Catherine he said.
sat silent, and did not even look at
him.
81 hope you have rested?'' he contin
ued 81 shouldn't have disturbed you had
l not seen that you were up and awake. -
! remained in the same position, my
face averted, my eyes on the empty fire.
place, but when he approached and bent
over ME, 1 sprang to my feet.
Do not touch me!''ssI cried.
'iEoggive me,' he said. 81 was merely
anxious on your account. Believe me, L
would give my life to undo what have
done.
"Have you come to set me free?''
asked, painting and gazing fiercely into
MS face.
No he replied; and while uttered
an angry cry, he continued: 81 have
come to tell you that they are searching
for you far and wide. Close to the bridge
at Nulrany, they have found your cloak
ana blood-stained handkerchief, and the
impression is that you have been killed,
thrown into the river, and swept out to
sea. I myself, as in duty bound, have
been assisting in the search, and have
offered a reward of one hundred pounds
to anyone who will explain the mystery
Of your disappearance.
So saying he drew forth a printed
placard, which offered the reward in
question. looked at it in wonder, and
from it to him. There was % strange
smile on his face but his lips were quiv-
ering, and his eyes kept their usual sad
ness.
"You see l am thorough. as you once
Cd1E0A H. AHhuAS W NY Ingenuity, 10
one will ever think of looking Tor you
here. No one will suspect that Philip
Langford, who offers reward for your
discovery and is himself SO active in in
structing the police, is really the prime
agent In the whole affair. -
I gazed at him in terror; the whole
Fchene seemed so cold-b looded, so dia-
colieal.
God will punish you," I exclaimed,
"eyen if I can It p
The smile faded away, and he replied
YEARLY:
Sod has punished me already. have
staked my soul on this hazard, and I fear
td:it ! havelost."
I fell at his feet, olinging to him. and
looking up into his face.
Let me gor' L sobbed. "Let me go
faU. HDd l will pardon evefything-no
osn shall know what you have done-I
VIII be- siiunt-only let me go! for Gods
ealc Jet me gon'
Re bert over me, and took my face be-
f,ven his hands. I did not resist, for I