Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-07-14
l feel, L swear am innocent OF this
crime!"
CHAPTER III.

J out OF the house at day-break, anG
why you was home SO late last night.
Let her be, Martial" grumblec
Farmer Brown, who was trying te
spell through the newspaper, after
eating hearty midday meal.
Il shall not let her be" retolted
| the angry woman. She shall know
| who's mistress here, l can tell her
| Taking advantage OF my being wanted
at Mrs. DiXon's farm last night, she
must needs go trolloping about till
any hour. | don't believe she went
| nigh the castle. Answer me! What
kept you so late, and what took you to
the town this morning, sneaking out
when we were fast asleep?"
Il cannot tell you, Aunt Martha
the girl answered quietly-not SUI
lenly but firmly.
Cannot tell me, indeed, you hussy!
Well, We'll see whether l can make
you. Do you think me and your uu-
Gle have got nothing to do but keep
you in shoe-leather-a great, idle,
good-for-nothng girl that eats us
out Of house and home?'
Alice was silent. while her uncle
stirred uneasily in his chair.
There, Martha-that'll do"
NO, ii wou't. mean to make her
tell me all. Where were you last
4Aa This morning. where is the
basket, and what message did Mrs.
Grey send?"
Il cannot answer" said Alice,
again very quietly.
Then I'll make you!" cried Mrs.
Brown furiously, taking up farmers
whip that hung on nail.
Martial" exclaimed her hus-
band
Let her strike me, uncle" said the
girl with flashing eyes. If she does
! will appeal to the castle for protec-
ton"
Something in Alice's look checked
the angry woman. She dropped her
hand.
The castle?" she muttered sullenly.
"A fine thing"
A loud knocking at the door inter
rupted her words. She stared for an
instant, while Alice grew cold and
still, She knew the summons was for
her.
Mrs. Brown flung open the door, then
courtesied respectfully as she saw be.
fore her, on horseback, the chief mag
istrate of the neighborhood, and
three or four policemen.
Good morning, Mrs. Brown" said
the magistrate, Sir Robert Carlyle
4 wish to ask you few questions.
Sergeant, hand Mrs. Brown the basket.
Mrs. Brown, does that belong to you?'
Mrs, Brown took it and recognized it
at once as the one she had filled with
eggs the night before.
Yes, your honor" she said with
another courtesy. 1T is NINE but"
glancing around rather fearfully at
the policeman, may | ask"
When did you use that basket
last?' inquired Sir Robert
Last night, your honor. packed
it with eggs for Mrs. Grey, at the
castle, and gave it to our Alice to
carry"
The farmer had risen, and was star
ing al the proceedings in alarm.
Where Is Alice?" enquired the
magistrate next.
Just behind. Here. Alice, you're
wanted. Now you'll find, MISS" in
low whisper to the girl, what it is to
be rude to me; your punishment's
come"
Alice took no notice. She moved
forward into the doorway.
What Is your nance" asked Sir
Robert
Magaret Dornton, sir but | am al
ways called Alice.
Then, Miss Dornton, please will
you answer me this question? Were
you carrying that basket through the
woods to the castle last night"
Alice looked at him straight.
Yes, sir l was" she answered.
"Ihen you must accompany me,
please, at once TO the castle; you will
b. wanted
Alice tied on her cotton sun-bonnet
without another word, while her aunt
SAtt4 GU SIitut kulOuSu uuiL9ueuL.
AZ Last she found her tongue:
What has Alice done? Tell me,
your honor Is she going to be pun
ished for
There is an inquest up at the cas-
tie, Mrs Brown. Captain Rivers was
murdered in the woods last night, and
Miss norton is chief witness against
the suspected murderer, Lord Roy
Darrell"
Mercy sakes," calculated Mrs.
Brown, as Alice walked quietly down
the courtyard to the village fly that
was waiting.
The girl sat back in her corner 81.
lent as she was bowled along the
wide country lane that led by to the
castle.
She was thinking, wondering if she
still dreamt, whether the horrors OF
the past night, the strange hurried
Of the morning, the knowl-
edge that SHE was no longer a free
lppaly maiden hu+ a wndiai wife