The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-27

down The stairs to Join plrvis. She
must either get him but ot the house.
or bring some OF the servants to his
q assistance.
Az she reached him. Merrldew's blows
sounded on the panel. of the door.
and he began TO wrench at 1t furiously.
as lie to tear his way to them. Purvis
had been hurt in his fall. and lay on
the half landing grooming and help
less. She bent over him and tried TO
rouse him.
lie will find us here. Make an ef-
fort" she said with ell the strength
she could command, as she tugged his
arm desperately.
He rave no reply except a groan,
and the tears sprang to her eyes.
III we can get to the bottom here
we can escape" she said: but he ap-
peared absolutely incapable OF even a
slight effort.
Meanwhile the door above was be-
ginning to yield to Merridew's efforts.
one of the panels gave way with a
splintering crash that first sent a chill
OF panic to olives heart and then
nerved her to n last desperate effort.
Crawling past Purvis. she slid down
a couple or stairs and then pulled and
tuggcd at him with nll the strength
she could put into the effort. He was
lying close TO tho top step of the
second flight, and her grip was SUM-
cient to cause him to topple over. He
fell against her. and unable to resist
the force OF the collision. she rolled
to the bottom with him.
Half stunned, in terrible pain. and
her senses reeling from the effects OF
the fall. she managed to stagger to
her knees and find the catch by which
the door could be opened. and rs her
hand was upon 1t II loud cry from
Merridew above told her that he had
discovered them and had forced the
way.
She slid the panel back and strug-
gle out. The stairway opened into tho
passage on the ground floor OF the
disused wing where she had followed
Mrs. Merridew on the night when she
had bidder tho stolen paper.
She Numbered along this. support
Ing herself by the wall. She could do
no more for Purvis. Blindly she real
lied that her only hope row lay In
the chance that some one might be in
the hall.
Her strength was almost exhausted
by the time she reached tho big door
which shut off the wing from the in
habited part of the house: and she
sank down on her knees and feebly
beat with her hand upon it.
Merridew had now reached Puryis,
and he stumbled over him and came
staggering out into the corridor.
The sense of her danger drove Olive
to q last effort. She was now fallen
and lying at full length on the ground.
h Kicked at The door and sent up a
loud scream FOR help.
A fierce curse from hlerridew was
the only response. and he came rush
ing toward her.
aLE . -hAZ ~~-
again. ~Shuddering with terror. she
shrank close against the wall, striv-
ing tmpotently and feebly to ward him
off. The next instant he had seized
her, and h felt his hand on her
throat. choking her cry for help.
Wtth.a last moan OF despair she real
ICED that all her desperate efforts had
failed.
That was her last conscious thought.
Breathing an unfinished prayer for
mercy, she tainted.
CHAPTER III.
The Truth at Last.
When Owe opened her eyes she could
scarcely persuade herself that she was
not dreaming. She was lying on one OF
the lounges in the big library In the
Mano and Jack was kneeling by her
side grasping one of her hands. At a
table close by Dr.. Gregory and Mr..
Easement were holding a whispered
conference.
Olive! Olive dearest. do you know
me?" whispered her lover.
Jack" Just a faint, low lnurmur,
but the sweetest music In his ears.
ITS all right, dearcst.' and he
pressed his lips to her hand. 'Dr.
Gregory, she's conc around"
The doctor canle and bent over her
and smiled. you'll soon be all right
now he said. N he handed Jack a
wine glass. Get her to take that,
Jack held the glass to her lips, and
when she had taken the medicine she
fell back with a sigh OF tha%nkfulness.
Closing her eyes some OF the horrors
OF the last few hours came back to her,
and starting up she glanced about her
wildly.
TITS all right. dearest said Jack
again soothingly. ""You are perfectly
safe now" and with a smile he put his
arm 0 her II pressed her gently
back on the pillow. She smiled back
to him and closed her eyes.
Then there was a knock at the door.
and she started up again as the doctor
went to 1t and whispered to some one
outside. Once more Jack quieted her.
1t was only Mr.. Meridew anxious to
know how you are. Olive said tile
doctor, returning to her side.
MI. M~erridew?" she exclaimed, not
understanding.
Jack replied, "Yes. dear. 1t was lie
who v you from the %scoundrel who.
tried Toto harm you"
For the moment her dazed and dis
aied senses could make nothing OF this
reply, Merridew saved her? Then she
cried out as some part OF the meaning
broke in upon her
Where is Mr., Purvis?" sho asked,
Doctor. Mr., Easement. go ana see to
will murder him. Quick.
60. Do, do. at once" she cried earn
estly.
What do you mean. Oliver"
DO what 1 say. Mr.. Easement. Go.
so, at once. I will tell you all
then, He must be saved and az
with the effort she fell back.
She is still n little delirious. I'mr
afraid" whispered tho doctor to Mr.,
But tho lawyer took another view.
"There's something we don't under-
stand In this Yet" he said. IT am
going to see to that man, Como with
me, GREGORY" and the two hurried out
OF the ROOM together.
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