Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-01-28

ilS SSllI IluS1, ottNlCNA ASA AASS NAN
head. arranged her hair and dress,
and then drank her tea. After which
she called Tabitha to her side, and
said:
Il am sure you love Miss Leaton-'
Yes, that do! l would lay down
my life for her." said Tabitha, begin
ming to sob.
''ln that case you would not betray
anyone who tried to serve her, to COM
fort her, or even to rescue her?'
I'D bite my tongue off first! Sure
/ have proved as much"
eyes. I always believed that you
knew more than you chose to tell of
her first escape from Allworth Abbey.
Well. Tabitha. listen now. l have an
order. to visit Eudroa to take a final
farewell of her this evening. l have.
also. in my own mind, plan for res
cuing her even at this late hour
"Iord, Miss Amelia! what ever can
that be. and could you ever carry it
through-and wouldn't the law punish
you if you did," inquired Tabitha,
earnestly.
Il cannot tell you-it is enough for
YOU to know that shall so to visit
her this evening. but my visit to the
prison must not be known-my alb
sence from this house must not even
be suspected. lest it lead to discovery;
therefore, Tabitha, you must let me
out the back way; and you must re-
main in this room, and If anybody
comes to inquire after me, put them
of with some excuse; and at night
20 out and lock the door after you,
so that no one can get into the room
and miss NE. And when you come
up again, bring a basin of Cruel as
if had need of it. Ask leave to sleep
in my room to take care of me to-
night: but on no account let any Oh
else come in. You understand this,
Tabitha?'
Every word of it. Miss Amelia
"Well, now hear my last words Of
all. After the family have all retired,
and the house is quiet, and everybody
is asleep, steal out of this room, lock
the door behind you, and bring away
the key, and creep down stairs and out
the lower park gate. Can you do this ~
''Surely, Miss Amelia
! but you look frightened already"
sit is enough to brighten one, but
I'll do it,
"And now. what are they all about
down stairs -
''The family are all gathered around
the grand piano. listening to Madame
Pezzilini playing and singing-Heaven
help them! and the servants are all
at dinner in the servants hail.
''That is we'll! 1t is the very hour
for me to steal out Of the house I'M
observed. Lock the door and come
with me. Tibitha.'
They left the room. glided down the
back stairs, and out at the back door.
Amelia flew across the lawn,
through the park. out upon the downs.
and into the high road. She ran along
a little way. and then struck into
by-path leading through a narrow,
wooded valley, or "coombe," lying be-
tween two rolling uplands of the
downs, and leading towards Abbey
town. AS soon as she found hersel
out Of the reach of discovery and pur.
suit, and safely hidden in this thicket,
she sat down to recover her breath
and to still the violent thrObbing of
her heart.
Surely if Tabitha had noticed the
signs Of excitement and almost Of in
sanity in the expression Of Annella's
face. she had not consented to her
leaving the house. But the darkness
of the bed-chamber and Of the narrow
back staircase had obScured the wO-
mans vision. and the assumed calm
ness and self-restrained manner of
Amelia had disarmed her caution.
But any rambler passing that way,
and seeing Amelia as she sat, with
glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes.
and restless. frenzied manner, would
have felt justified in taking charge up
on his own responsibility. and deliver
ing her ,p to her friends as 4 wand
ering m:r'ac.
But withal Amelia had as yet
strange, self-regulating power that en-
.abled her to control these frequently
recurring fits Of excitement.
She sat quietly in the cool shadows
of the wood until it's spirit had en-
tered into her soul, and for the time,
at least, Gained its fever.
Then she arose and took her way
towards the prison.
With the order in her pocket she was
at once admitted.
''Has Mr.. Montrose been here to-
day." was the first question she put
to the turnkey, who conducted her.
"NO, he is not to come until six
O'clock" andswered the man.
''Very well: go on"
She was admitted to the cell. where
she found Eudora. sitting by the little
table engaged in reading the Scrip
lures. At her feet was coiIed up her
little dog, and on the table was laid
"a folded paper Upon seeing her Wis
itor, she put her hand out. and taking
that of Amelia. drew her up to her
side and kissed her, saying:
II thank you for coming to see me
once more, dear girl. l am not afraid,
now, Amelia! Every dark cloud has
passed from my spirit, and feel
strangely well. And now begin to
understand how it was that Jane Grey
and Anne Boleyn, and so many other
young and timorous women. were en-
abled to meet unmerited death with
50 much fortitude. think that
strength comes at the very last by
the gift Of God" And so saying, Eu-
dora moved and seated herself OH the
side of the bed to yield the only chair
ITO her visitor.
Amelia did not trust her tongue to
speak She sat down with her back
to the light, that Eudora might not
see the disturbance of her face.
So there fell silence in the cell for
-.