The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-12-15
VI.

saw no more Of the Earl and his friend
meals apart in the great din:ns-room as be-
came such noble and distinguished person.
ages. But tine fact Of their presence raised
many thoughts in my mind. and Tom and
I had q long talk that night in our room.
"A conspiracy there is, and nc doubt.
said Tom, and this Earl is up to his neck
in it. and In league with the Trenches for
certain.
And will they let US go?'
Eyes. I think SO. and Mick will help us.
Mick is a good fellow. and he hates my
lord poison. by reason Of his sister
Eileen"
But it was not so simple a matter as Tom
thought. for he was considering only the
case Of us two men.
That would be tolerably easy. doubtless.
but how could 1 70 and leave these two
helpless girls here alone. in this turmoil.
and In the power Of an Inscriptions villain.
az this Anthony. this false Earl. had proved
himself to be.
And the little maid! How would she fare?
How could I evef face David or m lord
with such a story7 No! Flight for US. alone.
would be a dastardly proceedings. which l
could never consent to.
What conclusion we should a come to.
had w been left more time to consider. 1
know not. but as Oft happens in such cases,
matters took such . turn. that We had only
time to act. instead of thinking. for as We
still talked, there came Q low knock at
my door. and. opening 1t. there was Miss
Margaret. white as a ghost. and trembling.
''Oh. I am stupid.' she said, 'but-but he
frightened me so. He says that We must
be ready to sail tomorrow morning at
dawn. in Captain O'Brien's ship-that he
means to send his little cousin to be edu-
ready tonight. And I fear. oh. I fear
worse.'-and sudden fiushe passed over her
white face. II fear he does not mean to let
me 90 with her. Oh! he means to murder
her, or shut her up in some convent or
prison. where she will never escape.
I'VE will get out of this I said again.
"0o. Margaret. and get yourself and the
child ready; you must take nothing with
you. but put on your darkest clothes. We
will 20 together. till near The village. and
then Tom shall 30 on for Mick. n We will
wait.
Surely. In the foldinss Of these hills. We
shall ind some place to hide. until this
be o%verpast?'
ut seemed q fearful risk. but to stay
was worse. In a quarter Of an hour We
we're ready. and Tom and I. with our shoes
hung round our necks. went softly along
the corridor, and tapped at Margaret's door.
which was opened at once. and there was
she and the child. ready dressed.
Now. my little body" whispered Tom.
.you must be as silent asa mouse. n
let me carry YOU'D. Dost remember how
David brought you ashore from the boat.
and how he praised you for being 30 Sc
lent!'
"Yes.. she whispered back. but. oh! 1
Sas friehtened when We sid into the dark.
cold water"
''weil. we have not to go that way about
hut no~w-hushr
We waited what seemed q long time
Maraaret and the child and L. listening to
The sight OF the wind through the heather.
and now ard then. starting at the wall OF
sonie right-loving bird. but. most Of all.
pursuit from the housAnot that
L was likely We should be missed till the
early morning.
How long he is." murmured Marget in
ear: would it not have been better to
gone on at onceG
1 shook my head. I'VE do not know the
whispered back. ''Hafk. Is not
that come one comingr'
I had hardly spoken, when q Tow whistle
.auxht our ears. and then three forms
dirnIy thorugh the darkness. Thank
God! II vas Tom come back. and with him,