Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-11-07
Neutrality-suspicious.
MRS. M. A. HOLMES.

ten, as the passage from the OLuS1
part of the castle was the one always
used.
She leaned her whole weight against
the door and it swung back. Inside,
the only light came from two iron
| gratings in the wall.
standing with his back to her, gaz-
ing up at the grating, was man.
The mist cleared from her eyes; she
saw he was alone.
Another door at the end led to a
second chamber, and here, doubtless,
the other man was imprisoned.
PAUL" she whispered family.
The man turned swiftly. 1t was
her brother
"Valerie!" he exclaimed.
''Hush! Speak low! The policemen
are just outside
what do you want?" he muttered.
"You must escape"
Paul uttered low exclamation.
"How?"
Valerie thought for an instant. Her
fear was going; she felt her calm self
again.
"You must follow me-"
Paul held out his hands.
with these things on?" he asked
grimly.
For answer she tore the lace from
her head and wound it tightly round
his hands, thus deadening any chink
of the handouts.
''You can walk all right" she said
firmly. "Who was taken with your
"Sam and the old woman"
And Jura?" asked Valerie eagerly
Course him!" Paul muttered savage
ly, "gone! He escaped us last night
took the girl with him. By now, l
expect, he is in France"
Valerie felt a thrill of pleasure.
Alice was gone then. After such dis
grace she could never return to Roy.
Now let her but get Paul away and all
might yet be we'll. Who but Godfrey
Armistead knew of her brother? and
against his word, she judged rightly,
i the countess and Roy would take
hers; then, worked we'll, Roy could be
pushed to seek divorce, and the cas-
tie and the man she loved would yet
be hers.
WELL" said Paul impatiently,
breaking in on Valerie's reverie,
what are you going to do? How am
l to get away?"
Trust me. Listen. I am going TO
lead you up the steps outside. They
end in the corridor that belongs to
this wing. My lady Alice's room
stands there, empty. No one goes in,
by order"-Valerie sneered-"by or
der of the earl. You must be hidden
there till nighttime, then I will have
thought Of some plan to get you out of
the castle. Creep softly! Leave the
door open. They will think you have
escaped that way. Now, not word
Holding their breaths, they stole
noiselessly out and up the steps,
At the top, Valerie pushed Paul into
a corner and looked out The CORR
dor was deserted.
She beckoned him to remain, and
crept along till she reached the door
of Alice's boudoir. It was unlocked
She made a sign, and Paul was
soon beside her.
F'Not word. I will be back in an
hour. Don't go near the window"
valerie, you are good to me-" Paul
saiu with something like remorseful
affection.
bah! don't be fool! You must
escape or am disgraced."
She shut the door quietly, then
stole along to the one she had just
left at the top of the steps, turned
the key firmly and slipped it into her
pocket and then with cheerfulness
crept back to her own room
She had two hours in which to
think of how to get Paul away, but
the difficulties seemed to increase
every minute.
Evening came.
Valerie's maid had gone to her rooDl
to help her dress for dinner; but,
pleading illness, Valerie dismissed
her and told her not to come again
that night.
Plan after plan had rushed to her
mind, but all seemed impossible.
AS yet she had not heard that Paul's
escape had been discovered, but each
uOu1SuC was ulOI0 dangerous.
He must go even if he left the cas-
tie through a window
When all was quiet she quilted the
room, and stole back to the wing in
which she had left her brother, but
had scarcely done so when she heard
sounds of footsteps approaching, and,
looking round nervously, saw Davis,
Alice's maid
What do you want here?" she de-
manded harshly.
Davis looked as if she too could ask
that question.
my lady has desired me to come
and arrange Lady Darrell's apart
ments," she answered quickly.
What for?" Valerie demanded,
this time with a sensation of annoy
ance that was like pain.
"I don't know, Miss Ross. am
told to obey orders, and I must do