Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-03
HIS GRACE
BY MRS. C. N. WILLIAMSON.
Author Of 1.-THE Barn Stor1ners," ''The Woman in Grey"
sFortune's Sport 'The House by the Lock-"
"a Man From the Dark, " Lady Mary
of the Dark House." "Her
Royal Highness' etc.
ing to MAYNARD.
Royal Highness" etc.

ing to Maynard.
Its not much good" he said, his
harsh voice rafting in his throat. 81
used to care. / nearly tore my nails
off trying to get out. I've yelled for
help day and night, but who could hear
through two feet of stone wall? Now
l don't care. ITS too late. You've had
your trouble for nothing"
"Nonsense!' cried Maynard. You'll
be all right in a day or two. Come on.
Ii you won't, | shall have to carry you,
that's ALL"
Wait then" muttered the prisoner,
helplessly, there are some things l
don't want to leave. The only things
that have kept me from going mad.
They were something to look at when
the ray of light came in through the
ohinks, early in the morning, some
thing to hold in my hands when it was
wark. Over there" lie pointed to a
curious old escritoire that stood like
lumber in a corner; and then Maynard
noted for the first. time that there were
several other pieces of furniture in the
room, while on the floor lay a rug,
moulding and rotting into rags.
81 found a box in one of the drawers,
with some old letters. The ink was
faded, but I could read when it vas
lightest in here, till my eyes got bad.
There's one queer thing-a certificate
of marriage. l must ask about it if I
live to get out of this. My father was
mixed UP in it somehow forget
how.i
He was wandering on as if to him.
self, one thin trembling hand gestic-
ulating and pointing, apparently for
getful of the new-ccmer's presence.
"The rings and the bracelets I like
best-they looked pretty in the light
they we're my fathers too. This house
was his once. He must have left them
here to be safe and secret. He didn't
know that his own son was to rot to
mis- death in here. George S!andon;
that was his name. It's in the mar
rage certificate. And Anna Maynard.
When L am free, l must fnd out"
MY mothers name was Anna May
nard." The young man spoke quick
ly, impulsively. Then a sudden
thought set his blood leaping. My
God" he exclaimed. 'If we should be
brothers-half brothers-after all. Ana
Savernake knew it-and knowing let
me take his place"
He stared at the vacant, foolishly
smiling face, and his heart was hot
within him. He too, perhaps, had
something to learn. There were wheels
within wheels that-but it was no time
for in~trospection or reection now.
You shall have your fathers things"
he said, gently, and helping the other
to the escritoire, together they gath
cred up the few faded or broken treas
ures which had kept some interest in
life alive in the prisoners mind.
Now for freedom-and revenge!
You've strength for that, haven't your"
Maynard asked, enc0uragingly. See,
the doors open; now for these few
steps. Lean on me. That's right. L
shall soon have you out"
Half dragging, half carrying, he got
his companion up the stairs. AS they
reached the top and bent to enter the
passage, Maynard began questioningly
to sniff the air. 1t was hotter than
it had been, and there was-or he fan
cied it-a smell of smoke and burn
ing wood and wool.
They crept on, all Maurice's weight
hanging on Maynard's arm. No
there had been no mistake. There
was fire outside. The secret door
which he had left partly open was now
tightly closed, but by the light of the
lantern he found the spring, which was
easier of discovery on this side than
the other.
The door opened inward, and as he
pulled it towards him, a puff of smoke
and fame rushed in. With a loud ex-
clamation he dashed it shut again.
They were caught like rats in a trap.
The door was a stout one, but it would
burn through after a time, and the fire
would find its way 10 them. In that