Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-10-25

scream. told her briefly what knew
| OF Melton's doings, and ended by ac.
ousing him Of the death of M. Ledare."
| "Whatl" gasped the girl, catching
| me by the arm, her eyes wide with
= sudden horror. Armand Ledare7 Did
| he murder my old master?"
1t was my turn to be surprised, but
] was not. swear that 30 many
things had happened to me that day
as to have calloused me. / simply fail
| cd to comprehend what she meant.
| "Your master!" l exclaimed.
'He was. l took fencing lessons OF
him while in Paris. Let that pass.
Sir, have listened to your confession
"a damning confession, and fatal to
you should I open my lips. But 1 do
not know you yet What is your
name7"
''Daniel Dressler, madam. My
home was here, and"
stopped as I marked the expires.
sion on her face. Her eyes became
like suns; her lips fell apart, and she
stared at me as II were a ghost.
Daniel Dressler, con OF Jacob
Dressler. of Cherry Hill?" she asked
family, leaning forward.
"Aye, madam"
"Now, God has guided mel" she
broke out. know you not who 1t
was that shot at you? Know you not
that Lysander Melton is your cousin
| or your step.cousin?'
I started to my feet. She was OH
her own in an instant and laid her
hand over my mouth "Do not for.
get where you are!" she exclaimed.
did you not know"
"No, nor even dreamed"
"Oh, wonder Of wonders! Listen.
Your aunt, Abigail Stern, was married
to widower, Darius Melton, ten years
ago in Savannah. He lived only
month. Your aunt came to New York
and went to your fathers house, and
Lysander, her stepson, came with
her"
l was half stunned by the news.
"And does she still live there?"
asked.
"Yes-yes. And / am living with
her. for the present"
"And betrothed to that hound?
Madam. as certain as that my lie Is
in your hands l fail to comprehend
why you have SO far saved It,"
"Hush!" she interrupted. Here
10 no place for explanation. You must
get from this place at once-you must
lose yourself-and / know of but one
| place where you can go and be safe
or comparatively SAFE"
"And that?"
ITO your aunt's house-not as a
nephew" she quickly added. She
will be glad to receive a lodger-an
| acquaintance of mine who has Just
| come to the city. Her funds are low
and-and have horrid story to tell
you later. There you can stay unless
Lysander returns"
(which he never WILL" l brutally
interrupted. HE will be caught and
hanged"
She did not finch at the prophecy,
but went on: "The carriage is waiting
Follow me out and get in. Laugh, IL
you can. If you are capable CO acting,
do it now. / may save you yet. Oh,
my soul! Was there ever such anoth.
er day."
Madam" said /, feeling a new
spirit arising within me, II trust you
fully. Am to think that my cause
can possibly be yours?"
| "Sir," she returned, Strengthening
her figure and speaking very low. Il
am a. good patriot as you. When
you posed as Lysander Melton, could
help knowing that you were in des.
perate state? ! am no fool. But few
know my convictions. To the world
l am Royalist, and so must you be
a rabid Tory-to match your aunt.
Come, sir, we must do our talking
elsewhere. Escort me-"
| She held out the tips OF her fingers,
lifting them high; AID l. hardly yet
realizing the narrowness of my escape,
took them and danced attendance in
the exaggerated and affected manner
of the macaroni of those days, fore.
ing smile (Which must have appear.
ed idiotic) as led her down tho broad
hall and from the hoIse, ArnoM's or.
derly preceding us, and the sentries at
the door saluting rs II she were q
marchioness.
CHERRY Hill, Peter" she said faint.
ly to the liveried coachman who sat on
the heavily embroidered hamnercloth
Then she sank back in the seat OF
the chariot and lifted her mask to her
face, either 10 keep the sun from
marring her perfect complexion, or to
hide all signs Of agitation. She looked
to me as If she were about TO faint.
CHAPTER TX.