The Portland daily press., 1897-12-06
(ALL RIGHTS REsERvED.)

One evening, about fortnight from
the time when this resolution was formed
she left the house to take her customary
walk in the grounds. 1t was not late,
but the days were short, and as she lett
the house she saw that a star was already
glimmering beyond the peak of dis
tant hill; and that night was beginning
to fall. The sky was of blush grey,
hocked here and there with floating mist
which settled in little clouds upon the
hilltops, and the wind which touched her
cheek was like ansicy hand.
The police, patrolling before the house,
saluted as she passed by, and watched
her disappear amongst the trees OF the
park.
She had walked for about ten minutes,
choosing a narrow pathway, and was
about to turn into an avenue of beech
trees, when there was a rustllng and
scutf1ing among the boughs. She started.
A man whose face was averted from her
was emerging from the dense brushwood,
through which she had first passed
'EWhy, he has no right to be here,
thought Catherine; then she asked
''What are you doing here; this part of
the park is quite private? If you want
the house, it lies in that direction, and
that is the pathway to the road. -
Thus addressed, the man half turned
towards her, touched his hat, and moved
Catherine moved on, too; pacing the
long beech avenue with erect head and
springing step. About a quarter of an
hour later, however she was again
startled Again the trees rustled, and
suddenly she SAW man, wearing Grape
mask, C autiousJy creep from the coppiee.
This time, before she could speak, he
leapt into the avenue, and seized her
round the waist.
So petrifed was she by this sudden at
tack, that for a moment she could
neither move nor cry, but when she felt
herself being lifted from the ground and
carried towards the woods, her power re-
turned she uttered piercing shrek, and
by d mighty effort tore herself from the
assalant's grasp, and ran toward the
Castle.
Immediately rattles were sprung, Evolces
shouted, whistles shrieked. and light
fiiCkered in the distance. But the alarm,
great asst was, seemed to have no effect
upon the rutfiian. He raised bis Shrek
ing victimss from.the ground, put his hand
over her mouth and dragged her away.
With tigerlike force she tore the hand
away and shrieked.
Help! Ehelp! will income Gomez
She tore, fought, struggled, and
screamed until all her strength seemed
ebbing from her. Presently the low MUIR
muir of voices reached her ear, she uttered
a wild, wailing sob, and swooned away.
"Musha, IDEAL gently with her, See,
thanks be to God. she's coming round. A
little more water. Pat Monaghan. Och,
my curse and the curses O. all good men
on the villainsthat's dom this!"
1t was Catherlne's favorite old groom
who spoke, as he leaned tremblingly over
the form of his mistress, who lay half
sWooniug, her head resting on the heart
of man. The old man held lantern,
the light of which was shed upon Gather
ines face.
For some time that face had been white
and cold, but now the blue lips had
turned to delicate pink, the eyelids
quivered, then Enclosed.
s'Stand backlh said voice she knew
''She's all right now
She looked up and met the tender eyes
of Mr.. Langford.
what has happenedr' she asked,
trembling.
81 was coming along the avenue, when
heard call for help. 1 ran forward,
and saw you struggling with a masked
man. The moment [ appeared the ruffian
vanished. He was not alone-there were
others with him, IN sure. -
my men are searching the place, said
the sergeant of police. ''If the rascals
are in the woods, we'll catch themi''
All GATHERINGS courage seemed to have
failed her. She dropped her head, tears
blind d her eyes, and putting her hand
on Langford's arm, she said, family.
''Take me home!'
Gently and tenderly he led her back to
the Castle. Meantime the police searched
far and wide, but found no trace whatever
of her assailants.
ITO Re- Continual \