The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-06-17
CHAPTER XXx.-(Continuell.l

a few doors farther down the corri.
Aor. In a chamber more somber and
gloomy than any we have visited, was
Judith She is lying back listlessly, in
an easy chair, with her red rair loosely
falling around her pallid, worn. face.
The tears roll down her cheeks, at In
tervals, In large, heavy drops. She Is
weeping over the ashes of love, over
wrecked hopes, and a lost life. Heavily
over her broods the spirit Of the night,
boding of death.
As the night advances, the clouds
have it all their own way, yelling the
sky with profound darkness; and the
winds wax fercer. The air Is flied with
tile alternate shrieks, and sobs of terri
fed nature. There is heavy rain, with
which the monster sports, dashing it, and
whiring it, and scattering 1t in gusts,
and eddies, and masses.
Heavy footsteps upon the carriage
drive; but the tempest absorbs every
sound into itself. Over the gravel,
which stands out lightly from the black
ness that encompasses it, moves a
large, dark, numbering object. 1t is a
man, bearing another, seemingly sense
less upon his back. Slowly, staggering
and swaying at times under the weight
and the wind, he advances to the hall
door, There he lays down his burden,
and seems to ponder for a moment. Then
he walks cautiously round the house,
looking up at all the windows. There
IL a faint light in two, but seemingly
emitted only by night tapers. All seem
to be sleeping.
10 routiaI7Sip ri +ha ,.,No,,
the ground floor. All were securely fast
ened. In corner Of the building there
was a smaller window, like that of a
pantry. With his diamond ring he cut
out one Of the panes of glass, put his
arm through the cavity and with some
difficulty succeeded in reaching the fast
ening that secured the sash. He raised
the window and crept through. He took
a lantern and some matches from his
pocket and struck light.
1t was not pantry he was in, but a
small bedroom. Passing out at the door,
he found himself in the servants offices.
He took off his boots and crept noise
lessly along the passage, until he reached
the corridor. He halted at Silas Cars
toms door and listened, with his ear
to the keyhole. All seemed quiet.
He assembled the stairs. AS he reach
ed the first corridor he became sensible
Of strong, pungent odor and misti-
ness in the air, like smoke He looked
about him for some cause and crept fur
Their along the corridor. Reneath the
door, and through the keyhole of one
of the rooms, shone red glow.
Great heavens! had accident anticipat-
Cd s,,fo 80
turned the handle of the door-it was
not locked. His doubts were solved in
an instant. A body Of hot, binding
smoke rushed into his face, nearly over
towering him. The room was in flames!
Hanging across the arm of a chair was
the body of a man, either dead or in
sensible. Lost and awe-stricken. Rod
well stood helpless and transixed, gaz-
Ing upon the awful sight.
at that moment Judith, hurrying out
OF her room, appeared upon the scene.
Miles away, carriage containing an
old gentleman is speeding furiously along
Fhe Essex road. Upon the box are two
policemen.
On through the pelting rain and the
rushing wind, beneath the shadows of
oVerhanging trees and along the open
road, the soaked, blinded driver, scarce
" able to see yard before him, gallops
the horses
Look, look" cries policeman, sud
denly pointing ahead.
There is glare rising up in the black
sky-a wavering, red glare, that bright
ems and fades, fades and brightens.
Inc old gentleman within, who, spite
VI tne storm, is continually putting his
mead out Of the window to see what
progress is being made, sees it, too.
Faster, faster, for heavens sake" he
cries. DO you not see that fire? 1t
must be the Manor House; there is no
other house near"
what is that dark object advancing
30 swiftly towards them? A horse, gal
'oplAg furiously, darts past like an ar
'oW, and Is lost in the darkness.
what Is that?" cries the old gentle
man. looking out of the window again.
Out only the wind hears his voice.
Inc glare In the sky grows stronger,
nearer. Up rise showers of sparks, and
up rolls the red smoke, and faster and
faster speed the horses, until they seem
running a race with the wind, match
ing themselves against the tempest
Judith and Rodwell face one another
put only for an instant With a cry
VI agony, she rushes towards her faith
a. ~. Inc hre surrounds him now, screen
e lin from all human help. The flames
Snu smoke drive her back with their
seofehing breath. With wild fury. she
Turns Turns upon Rodwell. Recovered from
ais a" ,momentary panic, he Is flying; but
a. 40 ne reaches the head of the stairs, she
" upon him, with the grip Of tiGress, |
Sl1 calling wildly for help.
u ne struggles fercely, twines his 6n-
ett In her long hair, and with the
Sons hand rains heavy blows upon her
n neau and face; but still she holds on,
over nster ceasing her wild cries for helm
~. Uaet r, cries begin to mingle with hers.
TSo he sounds of battering at doors. |
tb ng prisoners are aroused to "a sense of |
ioE Ganger, as well as the servants he |
t tT%, he will be detected, after all, ana |
dug dough this wild cat of a woman. Sud |
s1nly there Ia a dull thud-her voice ia !
bIneea-he has hurled her over the |
nn1.- =,