The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-05-05


III.
They had wandered about the old
place for 20 minutes. and had been
everywhere except up in the towers,
which was the oldest part OF the house.
It had been shut up from the public.
as dangerous, for the last two years.
John proposed that they should go up
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 teasing mood. insisted on their
getting out on the roof. which was done
by means Of a short ladder, lead
ing through trap door.
time of the year, Emily soon felt Bit
terly cold, and she said she must go
down. John led the way, but hardly
had he got his foot of, the last rung
Of the ladder when he felt the tower
begin to rock.
With the impulse of a coward, scarce
ly staying to give hasty shout to EN-
lily to follow. he rushed down the stone
stairs and out Of the place. A mo-
| ment later there was series of creak-
ing reports, and three sides of the
building fell with crash to the ground,
leaving Emily crouching down in a cor
ner of the roof, which still hung to the
remaining side.
Adams ran into the road shouting
| for ladder. Soon crowd was collect
ed and the ladder was fetched. Too
| short! Another was found. end while
willing hands were lashing the ladder
| together Reuben drove up in his cart.
When he heard what had happened he
took Johns place in binding the lad
ders 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 COW
cred, not seeming to hear the encourag-
ing words her lover was shouting 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 before we can get
her off," Then after moment he
added: 1T won't bear the weight of
the ladder. Run and fetch the one off
my cart"
This was done, and in a few minutes
the third ladder was pushed through
the rung 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 anG
said:
"Now tell her to get on the ladder
Tell her to look up and catch hold o.
the frame above her head. Tell her sh,
is quite SAFE"
John shouted up these instructions
but without more result than making
Emily half stretch out her hand anl
shudderingly cover up her face again
The demon Funk possessed the girl
Then Reuben:
"It's all right, Miss Bolton. You jus
get on the ladder-quick, and you'll b.
safe enough. There's half dozen O.
us holding it at the.bottom," he shout
ed. encouragingly.
No answer. No movement.
Reuben turned to John once more.
"Look here, man." he said, "you mus
go up and fetch her."
"Go up that ladder? It wouldn't bea
the weight of both of us"
"Some one must fetch her down. I
you won't, I must"
'"I1l hold the ladder"
"Pshaw!" And Reuben turned away
Then suddenly turning back: 'Mint
you. If get her down safe try my lucl
: again" And, shouting to the men t;
hold the ladder firm, he cautiously wen
up.
Emily" said he, as he touched her
|, 1--WE must change places, my girl" Sh
looked at him, her eyes wild witt
;. fright. "That's right! You keep look
: ing at me and doing as tell you, an,
| you'll be as safe as trivet," said he
cheerfnlly, though his heart was work
ing like steam engine. How he man
aged to change places with Emily h
never knew. He always said it was he
:, trust in him that did it. When she wa
;, safe on the ladder and he clinging to tn
= : fragment Of the wall he said. impres
sively:
go down the ladder as quickly a
you can and I'll follow. In two minute
:, the whole place'll be down."
Emily gave him one swift look tina
= sent the blood tingling through hi
veins, and in less than a minute she wa
On the ground. John, who had been a
lowed to hold the ladders, tried to pu
= his arm round her, but she pushed hir
> from her as she breathlessly watche
: Reuben's descent. Then. turning O