Middletown transcript., 1904-10-29

TcoNTINUED FROM LAST IssUE1
She withdrew the key, having locke'
the door behind her. If the rest OF lie
way we're clear, her flight would not b.
discovered until the next morning, b,
which time she hoped to be safe. Slowly
listening and pausing between every step
her heart beating with almost audible
throbs, she stole down the staircase ant
along the hall until she reached th'
conservatory by the door through which
Lord de Bruyne had taken her on the
night of her engagement. She ielt ho'
and cold by turns as she CROPPED her way
to the far enI and laid her hand on
the door of escape. 1t opened easily
and in a moment she stood in the cold
night air.
She closed and locked the door, and
made her way as quickly as possible into
the shades of the trees. The solemn
darkness and the unusual stiffness fright
ened her as she crept along, leaving the
sleeping house behind her. All the stories
that she had ever heard OF midnight
robbers prowling about and waiting to
begin their deeds of wickedness crowded
back on her, terrifying her. She had
been afraid TO put on her shoes, lest
she might make noise, and the stones
hurt her feet as she hurried along. She
had been SO intent OH escape that she
had forgotten to form any plans beyond
that point. She felt that if she could but
get out from under the blackness OF the
trees and within sight Of human habi-
tation once more, she would be able
to think again, but just then everything
was a horror and confusion. She re-
membered, with a little repressed sob,
that when she had first trodden this path
Chris had been beside her, and she felt
that, if he were only there once more,
she should almost die, the joy would be
SO great. But she was alone, and she
must hurry on-hurry on.
She climbed the stile when she came
to it, and went along the sidepath towards
the little cluster of houses which was
near the cottage that Chris had offered
to Mrs. Richmond. She was uncertain
what to do when she got there, but she
knew that she would feel safer if she
were near living beings even though
they were asleep. The whistle OF train
close by gave her sudden thought. She
hurried on her shoes and hat, tied her
veil closely, and ran on to the station.
1t was a night train, and paused for
scarcely moment. Kilmeny waited for
no ticket, but rushed into the first car
riage that she could see. No one noticed
her, and in moment she was off.
She was free
The train stopped at Redminster, where
Kilmeny jumped out and escaped with
out notice. Ten minutes later she was
before the well-remembered
door of her early home, and in the dark
ness could discern the outlines OF the
house looming over her. kilmeny, in
her great gladness and thankfulness,
pressed her hands on the beloved door
and laid her face against it. She had
reached home at last.
At length she summoned up strength
to pull the night-bell. She could hear
the peal resounding in the house, and
window oprned above. Doc
tor Richmond's voice was heard asking
if the case was urgent, and Kilmeny an
.wered in trembling tones unlike her
own that it was. In few minutes she
could hear his steps as lie come down the
stairs, and then the bolts and bars being
He opened the door, and
The light which he held in lis land
ell full on her.
He did not recognize her at once, but,
as she stumbled into the hall and drew
aside her veil, he uttered an exclamation
which she never forgot. The next mo-
nent she was in his arms, crying and
aughing and half strangling him with
ler embraces. Nina Daryl had been
eft behind at the grand house which
The had left, and it was the old Kilmeny
vehement, loving like child
who had come back.
Mrs. Richmond, hearing commotion
n the hall, came in her dressing-gow
rembling little to the head of the
tairs, and then, with joyful cry, rushed
o embrace her darling. Kilmeny pres
,ntly found herself in the familiar din
ng-room, with her head on Doctor Rich
nond's shoulder, while his arm encircIed
Ter, and Mrs. Richmond, kneeling beside
Ter, holding her hand and dwelling on
Ter with overhowing eyes of love and
orrow while she told her story. They I
wanted her to wait until the next day.
'ut she could not be persuaded to do
o. She did not hear the sound of an
ther footstep behind her, or know that
he had another auditor as she poured
ut her words.
Christopher Warrender, as well as
)octor Richmond-who had hastily re-
nrned from America on receipt of his
Tife's letter informing him of Mr.. Darvrs
lain on Kilmeny-had exhausted every
1eans to warn KiImeny of the character
the man whom she was about to
larry, but in vain. Their letters never
cached her, and personal interview
as not permitted. Christopher had
9me that very day to Redminster, to
onsult anew with Doctor Richmond as
, any possible way of averting the con- ]
'mplated marriage, even at tile eleventh {
our, and he now stole in and stood 7
ehind Kilmeny. He had wished at q
rst to withdraw, but Doctor Richmond t
gned to him to remain. As he stood, t
,aning over Kilmeny's chair, when her {
ory came to an end, his eyes were dim t
nd his heart full of thankfulness that
e felt he could never express, even if I
is life should be prolonged threefold Q