The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-11-25

Em, you We often wanted 10 go over
the old Manor House, and you won't
have many more chances If l get this
place. Shall we go now?"
Emily agreed. She knew the care
taker, so there would be no difficulty
in getting in.
CHAPTER III.
They had wandered about the old
place for twenty minutes, and had
been everywhere except up in the tow
ers, which was the oldest part of the
house. 1t had been shut up from the
public, as dangerous, for the last two
years. John proposed that they should
go to the top and see the view. Emily
was frightened, but he laughed her out
of her fears, or out of the expression of
them. SO they went up; and John,
who was in a teasing mood, insisted on
their getting out on the roof, which
was done by means of short ladder
leading through trap door.
Though the day was warm for the
time of year. Emily soon felt bitterly
cold, and said she must go down. John
led the way; but hardly had he got his
foot off the last rung of the ladder
when he felt the tower begin to rock.
With the impulse of a coward, scarce
staying to give a hasty shout to Emily
to follow he rushed down the stone
stairs and out of the place. A mo-
ment later there was a series of creak-
ing reports, and three sides of he
building fell with a crash to the
ground leaving Emily crouching down
in a corner of the roof, which still
hung to the remaining side.
Adams ran into the road shouting
for a ladder Soon crowd was col
lected and the ladder was fetched. Too
short, Another was found, and while
willing hands were lashing the two to-
gether, Reuben drove up in his cart.
When he heard what had happened,
he took Johns place ia binding the
ladders together, saying
You go and tell her what we're do
ing. I'll see to this.
Reuben had the habit of authority,
so John went
When the ladders were firmly bound
Reuben and two others carried them
through the iron gates into the little
park where the tower stood. A mixed
crowd of men, women, and children
stood breathlessly gazing up at the cor
ner where Emily crouched, her face
covered, not seeming to hear the en-
couraging words her lover was shout
ing UP to her.
Reuben looked at the wall.
I'VE must be quick" said he to the
man next to him, or it'll be down be-
fore we can get her Off" Then after
moment he added: "It won't bear the
weight OF the ladder. Run and fetch
the one off my cart"
This was done and in few minutes
the third ladder was pushed through
the rungs of the first, about four feet
from the top, making an isosceles tri-
angle. Two men were placed at the
foot of each ladder to steady it, and
the whole reared sideways against the
wall, the apex almost touching Emily,
and the upright reaching up above her
head. John hadn't been of much help
he was like one distraught but when
all was ready Reuben turned to him
and said,-
Now, tell her to get on the ladder.
the frame above her head. Tell her
she is quite SAFE"
John shouted up these instructions
but without more result than making
Emily half stretch out her hand and
shudderingly cover her face again.
, Then Reuben
Its all right, Miss Bolton. You just
get on the ladder-quick, and you'll be
! safe enough. There's half dozen of
us holding it at the bottom" he shout
ed, encouragingly.
CHAPTER w.
Reuben turned to John once more.
Look here, man." he said, you must
go up and fetch her."
go up that ladder? 1t wouldn't bear
the weight of both of u.s."
Some one must fetch her down. If
you won't, l must"
"I'll-Ill hold the ladder"
"Pshaw!" And Reuben turned away.
Then suddenly turning back: Mind
you, If l get her down safe, try my
luck again" And shouting to the men
to hold the ladder firm, he cautiously
went up.
Emily" said he, as he touched her,
I'VE must change places my girl" She
looked at him, her eyes wild with
fright. That's right! You keep look
ing at me, and doing as tell you, and
you'll be as safe as trivet," said he,
cheerfully though his heart was work
ing like a steam engine. How he man
aged to change places with Emily he
! never knew He always said it was
her trust in him that did 1t. When she
was safe on the ladder and he clinging
to the fragment Of wall. he said, i'm
| pressively-
go down the ladder as quickly as
you can, and I'll follow. In two min
utes the whole place'll be down."
Emily gave him one swift look that