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The Huron Signal, 1883-09-14, Page 6•f THE HURON SIGNAL, FRIDAY SiPT. 14, I887e THE LITTLE cOWARD mind rustling dorm into the pantry and bringing mea spoon ? I would ring for Parkins, but she told ole she wanted to get up nom, Int stn this evening, and would come up ass ton as she had finish- ed. Line died not altogether like to par down the lung stairs and silent entries leading to this pantry, but she went sod Leo trotted after her. As she stnod in the pantry, looking around for spoons with no light but a taint g!tram from the hall lamp s sound of low voices caught her ear. The ptntry was on the ground floor, its iron -barred shuttered windotr look - i •g into the garden. The sound was outside the window. and Una pause I to listen. The first word that cough- her ear startled iter. "A thousands pounds and all the . td woman's jewelry and plate'" said a man's voice in a husky undertone. "Yea," was the reply in a wont fn's voice—the voice, Lina knew,of Parkins sirs. Harriggtoh'a ,mot;el, soft -voiced, lady -like nurse- •''Itol there won't be any tr•tubls ab,,at it, because I have let the women go away to stay alt night, and sent the gardener un a fool's errand to Misses Brother's, twenty miles orf "But this girl that came to-niltbt— whst about -her 1" asked the luau. "Oh, she wi 1 go to Le rx,m presently, and stay there if she is wise. She'd be ae i-inderanee anyway—a silly timit little thine," "But it's as well to let her go ouof the say," said Parkins, coolly. ••I tell you it's not safe before 11 Iit o:Lci.," Parkins said, positively "Peo- ple'nay conte in. Sir Robert don't like her out •'•f his sight for long, and that idiotic young Marsden may cunie moon- ing in. Wait till half past eleven, and the west door hero will be open. And, Jim, look here, Wali'.t you" get this swag, you are to take ate with you—your wife, mind." The voices grew fainter. Eti'ently tide a{te.kers were mivinz away fro i. house. But Lir,a had heard ea'.0;'i Sick with terror, she leaned .a,uuat cue pair • l •or a moment, a t 1 tr:e l +o theta ,. What did it all mean ? It •h;kh'y, mnr•i.'i And no help near.Her ti.s' utetittct Was to tly out Of the have and 'er•v the fields to the Hall: Bat he' ad„ a• ''•v,ou:d be instantly diac•.v:•red, s'it' ...ev; awl then poor Aunt M:re,ar.t 1!•i bo •a!one with those wrote:c s •. e' .' Inuit not go ; but to stand here td:y would be no good. She flew like a d •ng the hal; and up at airs, Let, pacing by her slits At Aunt Margaret's dour al e paused, and a sudden th'•uzht came to her. She would send Leo h •'l.e for help. . "Where is the spoon, child ? ti .w hate you stayed. Good heavens ! what is the matter !•" cried the old lady as she saw the girl's'white terrified face. Lina be- gan some tvasive answer, but instantly remembered that•Aunt Margaret 'rust be told the whole story of nothing could be dope to save her. She did tell it, and Auut Margaret listened in silent.c•'ster- nation, and then burst ont with :— "Good heavens,child ! W hydon't you run right home 1" "Because I knew Piirkins would b. up here in a few minutes and find I w;u gone, and then —" ''Ah, well. So you stayed to save the old woman if you could. What are you doing, child 1 Why don't you lock the door and pile things against it ? God ! if I was able to rise out :of this bed !" But Lina did not speak for a moment. She had found a pencil and paper and was writing a few brief words. When she had finished— "No," she said, "When Parkins comes tell her I am to sleep on her oouoh here in your room, and she must so some- where else, 171 be bas's in a moment. That was what Miss Merivale had called her that morning when she ti om- bled and turned pale !emote the black mare reared r'th her. She begged Sir Robert to take her otf, and stuoi in ignominious safety a hila Agatha Meri- vale mounted Stella and rode off or:um- phant down the avenue. She was a coward. She did not deny it, and was sometimes very much asham- ed of it. But no oue seemed to mind it, until Agatha Merirale came with her bold, dark eyes and her dashing 'veys, her ridine, her hunting ; and every- body adntirred Agatha so touch, even Sir Robert ! She almost hated Agatha ! Yoa see, until .iv^tha came they hail been so happy at DeRosset. Little orphan lllsdt•laine Leigh had never been w happy in hor life as here at the hall with sweet lardy DeRosset, who was her guardian. and her son, Sir Robert. They were std kind and good t., her. They petted her and loved her all—and now Agatha had come, and for Leo weeks had monopolized Sir ltwdert and kept the house in a turmoil of g:• -c• • and laughed at Lina, and made her life wretche•t. Linde maid told that everybody said Sir Robert a -as to marry bliss M thele. Lina made a stern resolve that sir would run away from the ht.It whet tit:' ^.en' took place. jtuti away She steel(' run away now ! Not far though—sae was too much I± a Coward to tenture car into the world alone ; but she t.euld go away acre>•as the tie'ala to "Aunt Mar•taret's,' RS Abe culled I soh• Del- .ssett'a widowed sister -ins la«, o,:,,. i,::, .lui_'r, aero•. f,ttaLle • MSC a oik away from the hall. Mrs. Hartington was an i,,v. '''. par- alyzed an ? confined te her bed. tshe was rather a grin: old lady. an 1 01 o,t were inclined to shun her ; but sweet, bright little Lina hal wean her t.:., int. the °Li lady's heart, aloof was "[Ways wed, come at tite lodge. Yes, she would run sway, to Aunt Margaret'a..ard perhaps when she was missed,Sir Robert mi_•ht feel a moment's uneasiness about !ter. Seizing her hit and s Iiwht shawl, she :few acro , the park, calli.og ..ens, Sir Robert's pretty :collie, to l;o with her. Luta d-.1 t.ot like t'• cross the fields alone being p".e •seed of a great tc. rot o1 bei., : b.;•. w • ' 1.. o, she would mot uotrd it u:ueh. Lao w^s calmly taking a nal. .t the front portico, but he started p al d raced ^fter her with ^ joraus bar' . flat at the little „ate 'hat 'ed /new t..0 pail int., the fields, Lies was greats liscon- certed by an unexpected tut -taunter with Sir Robert and Miss Merirale, who came laughing and talking aieug the loath, hath 1."oking bri.tht and hands... n' in the golden rays of the setting w... She brushed ,east thein with .. hasty "Good etenit•d,'' bat Sir Robert turned back to speak to her. "Where are you going, Lina ?" he askeu. "To Aunt 11 .r,.faret's," she ec,ewered, not look:..,; .,. !tirn. "Alone. Line ? Are yeti not afraid ? If you will wait a litt:c while I will go with you." Sir 11,berr .at•'l, 1 •..king down at the girl's 11 Isla. iv cher:+ and averted eyes. "Nc.. ltd an tt a, 1.i',p anawett l,htstily. "I will not tr • t,o;c y L r, will take care of ma. And you wi'l'd h., late for dinner if you went with me." "May I come for you. !hen, alto• din- ner ?" Sir RoLert asked. "Thanks, I ant loot going bock, I shall stay ail night," w.►t the hurried answer, nhd Lina turned to eo. But Sir Robart detained her for a moment. "Lins," he said, in a tow tone, "what makes you avoid me so datei, ? What hare I done to offend you ?' Lista raised her blues)) as hastily to his for onemoment and .hes 1rop;a d them again. "I Lave nut avoide.:, ye..,' she acid, coldly. "You have been -'ery much oc- cupied with --other people. There, I will notdetain you. She waved her little hand heughtily,and walked away from him. He watched the pre'ty, white robed bge.o fur a moment, and tken Leo came and fawned on him. "Len, Ino !" called Linea roles. "(i.•, L't.," said his master, and the obedient dor toot, oft down the path after:the girl. It wM rather dnlary - the Lodge th t 'owes*. Mn. Harrington was out at hiller became her agent bad failed to call that ds; to receive a thousand pounds that she wished bias to deposit for her. And Parkins, her "erre sad housemaid, let the maid sensate all go off to a fair in Cie triage, " tborr. obey will certainly get into Misdeed." lllrs. Harrington mid. "But when Lisa had talked it her and made her lase a little, she forgot bet grieVaL'ea, and chatted away very pleasantly, At ten o'clock she declared she bad leighol till she was tired. and Goa meet give her her drop lied let her ,rn to sleep. • There the s, cog im gaits Vv Sae van Parkins lave pat it 1 ;Qrtld, wool(' you poor soul, man go and get a good nhat's rest in another room." Parkins was silent for one btstaai,a.d then began a swiss of smooth, polite expoatuimtio ns,whieb no one wield heed, and finally the civil nurse prepared the couch for Lina and took herself off ob serving sweetly : "If Miss Leigh will leave the door ajar, I can hear a call from ills room, and will owns instantly." "Thanks, Parkins, but I hope I shall not have to call you," acid Lisa, speak- ing as sweet as Parkins herself. Out of the room she darted, and down to the hall door, which she unbarred and passed through. Then kneeliai in the shadow of a pillar on the portioo,she tied the note tightly in her handkerchief around Leo's neok. She put her arms around his neck after that, kissed his forehead, and half a sob escaped her. "Is that you, Miss?" said a smo.rth voice from the hall. "Why. whatever are you doing in the dark there 1" Lina sprang up as if she had been shot. "1 am sending the dog home r she said, .peskine quietly,thongh the throbs of her heart shook her whole fran'e "lie is restless ben without his master. Go home, Ino—straight home, air.." The deg, with use farewell tiek of her hand, bounded down the step and van- ished in the dewy daresees of the Am- mer night. "Oh, fled ! let him go safely and ewitty r preyed Ohs yeses girl is her heart. Thou she west i• and helped Parkins bar the door, avid they west together u► - main. Aunt Marlen' Isy irery qty es her .pillow, bet with lief ideek eyes gleaming. "Parkins," she said steadily, as they • tiered, "Mies Leigh is kind *sough to offer le stay with fns hen to -eight. She will deep on poor mesh. sod pre, ay croaked beneath the batter. A pazel broke, and rani hand was thrust in ; the whole door seemed about to fall when.-- ! hang ! wee two avoids from lin 'a pistol, and a couple of bol - lets crushed through the paints, and the besiegetI paused abruptly. • "Go away instantly," pallid the girl's voles, "or I shall Me again." . Ons more rush, .mate, and we are in," yelled the grufl roioe outside. What follured was wild tumult and vunfusion ; the orsah of breaking panels and bolts, the fall of the door and the' furniture Lina had piled against it, shot after shot from Line's pistol, a yell of pain and rage from both of them. The door was down. One of the men was in the room. Lin„ had fired her last shot, and, running to the bed, snatched Aunt Margaret's pistol and turned to face the w ay. Suddenly came a wild shriek from Parkins ; then a voids calling, "Line I Lina ! I am coming," and Sir Robert de Routed hurled himself bodily upon the ruffian outside she door, pros- trated bin and sprang into the room over the body, And this is what he saw : — Madeline Leigh, the " little coward,' with blazing eyes and 11 arlet cheeks, and a pistol in her hand, standinij unflinch- ingly between Aunt Margaret and a bur- ly ruffian, and Aunt Margaret herself, who had not turned for a year in bed, 'needing on her feet on the fluor. Two seconds changed the aspect of affairs. After that the burglar sprawled sense- d es cot the floor. Aunt Margaret sank back- an her bed with a wild " Thank Go 1 !" and the little heroine of the scene lay in Sir Robert'. arms in a dead faint. " Oh, Robert, why didn't jou conte sooner 1" she murmured, half an hour afterward, when she opened her eyts and met his. " Don't you know I came as soon as I found. your note 1" he sail'." Leo want to my room, and I found him there when.I left the -drawing room, aft, r 11 o'clock." " Where are those dreadful sten 1 ' Li la asked, raising -her head dizzily and Io.king around with a shudder. ' Never mind them, dear. .They were nes..i by the wen who followed me My bravo, little darling : Whit a heroine yea are '" Two months later, when l'.+r.iot and the gran were brought to trial, Aunt Margaret walked into the witness box and iaeu her testimony with gri•r direct peas and self-possession. Lina veer her's with much trembling and some tears ; but she looked intensely lovely, and no one wondered that Sir Robert was going to marry her. The crowd around the 'door gave her three cheers as she left the court -room, walking between Sir Robert and his mother, and three more for f=ir Robert, and then three more for Leo, who fol- lowed thom. And Aunt Margaret's weddin_• pres- ent to Lina was she thousand pounds and the diamonds that had been saved by the courage of " the little coward." Then she glided to the door, sad as it oh+eed she turned wiih a facie of dismay and whispered : " The key is gone ! She took it when she was fidgeting in and out with the sheets and pillows." " Thorn is a bolt besides," Ansi Mar- garet answered. Lina gare a sigh of relief as she slip- ped the bole into the groove, and 'felt that she had some little protection against the enemy. "Now, chili," Aunt Maragaret said, can you u.e s pistol r " I never touehed one in my life," said the little coward ; " but if I had one Dow I would try." " Very well. Take my safe-key—it is under my pillow—and unlock the pale. They are just as my husband left them a year ago ; but Robert looked at them a few days ago, and said they were all right. That is right. Put oue of them on the foot of the bed, and if those wretches come, try, my dear, to use it. Now,. put the other here by my left hand. Thank God ! I can use that a lit - Ile. Now, what are you doing ? Oh, pile up all you can against the door. There, you can't more anything else. Now, conte here, little girl, kneel down by rue, and let's say our prayers togeth- er. With the old lady's thin, pallid ; and clasped tightly in her two cold,trenibling little ones, Lina knelt dawn there, and burying her face in the pillow, tried to Her n"tttion was not a very coherent ; it '.rat or.ly a wild, passi.>'natc cry for p:i l -tad help, and meantime• sire was listeaiug with every nerve s'r,ined, for remits fr.•,:i the outside: A lamap burn- ed in the ro'on. On the mantlep ece a softly t c c ni; clod narked the slow minutes- N o other sound broke the st d i v mss. Presenay a a sob shook the girl's t'g- ure. She was thinking of Sir Robert and his tender care over her. Oh, if she had only wit been so wayward and proud tide evening, all would have been safe. lint aatR•ely, surely, he would come yet. He could not fail to find the note, and ale knew he would come to save her. B.It yet horrible doubts conte to her, as ta whether the note would reach him. It might be lost or Leo might wander about and not get home until it was too lite. Too late ! Lina shuddered and tubbed again as she thought what that might mean. Oh, it was lard to think of dy- ing s.. helplessly, s, horribly, with help so near. The long minutes crept on, and no aeon' came until 11 o'clock had passed. The little clock softly chimed the half hour. Then, in a few moments, came a set.ud of stealing footsteps in tht. pas - Lige, and the knob of the door was soft- ly turned. Breathless silence in the room. Then a gentle tip at the door. Line clasped Aunt Margaret's hand convulsively, and the old lids spoke: " What is that 1" she asked steadily. " It Is me, Parkins, ma'am. Would you ask Miss Leigh if site will be kind enough to open the door ? I have the toothache and want some laudanum." " What a devil she is 1" whispered Aunt Margaret. Then aloud : "Go down stain and get something, Parkins. I cannot trouble Mies Leigh." Lina hoped that Parkins would urge the pain' a little. Anything to prolong the parley and pin time. Bat a whisper in the passage fuUowe 1, and then a inai s voice : " Ladies, there's no um making a row. Just open the door peacefully, and you s'lan't be hart. Well break it down it you don't." What do you want r Lisa asked, hoping to gain a little time. And now a gruff VOWS answered insolently. You know weir enough what we wants, miss. We wants the thousand pounds and the diamonds, and we meas to have them. So don't be a tool, hat just open toe door peacefully or yonll,be sorry,' Lisa sprang to her feet and seiaid the pistol- A Soot of win rushed to her Aga and brow. She had been insult- ed and threatened, and indignation over- powered terror. She west towards the door and salted oat gsiekly sod elearIy : " You've wet ootsittg Is. I have alai for help, and Sir Robert and hie saes will be hese dheslly. I aasaresed, and ft you do break the door down I will shoot you like a dog." A elolaent'e 'ileums hallowed, thou a bassos laugh, sad— " All gam moa She Wa't not doe to mead. Break dew* the door," ig Parkins' tutees ; sod heavy blown boom to fall epos the door. it Walllibtld aril BOOTS ANIS SHOE At the Oldest Ifatabliand Shoe More in Tows, In Endless Variety, tc suit the most fastidious and th moat eeoaoreio buyer MY SPRING STACK Is now nomplete, and I take pleasure in informing mycustomers that at no pre' vious time have I had suca With Setlatfetlea. Poison's Nerviline, the new and cer tain pain cure, is used with satisfaction in every instantx. There is abundant reason for this, for ii performs ail that is claimed for it. Nerviline it a ewe ver• failing cure for cramps, pains in the aide er beck, lumbago, sore throat,ehillblains, toothache. Nerviline is in fact a sure remedy for all pains, both interna' and external. Try a 10 cent sample Lott e ..t Wilson's, Large bottles only 25 des., by all i r*Rgists. PRINCIPAL+LINE Tile suORT1a1 , Vucazwr sae RUT ase to it. Jess" teleses, Topeka. Deal - one Dram. OY- veersa, -/. j. Aed u all 1n lows, � pelu.:'111,�1, $iIwta, the curl, Kau- ' i es, dew Heals., Allure, >tu•i.+ tsar sail Tessa C, CS -EL GI.c his Route baa so superior for Albert ., lelsee.polle 0,d tit. Peat Xutss.ny nested es Iles Owe bresehiat I -.lural y eneeedrd M Iso ole. best awlaeee Ratlrt,sel In the � orld f.,• •:1 t. Ivor. ,'1 teen; KANSAS CITY Large & Varied. Stock As at present. I have raised the Standard of Quality and Lowered the Price unti it is a positive fact that no such value in foot wear can be got elsewhere. CUSTOM W ORS of every grade still receives my prompt and careful attention, and will be madam in the most approved styles by first -claw workmen, end of the very beet material obtainable. E_ �o WNING- Extensive Premises and Splendid New Stock. �r 3i41.).13/1.1ASts CARINE - MAKER AND., U NDERTAKER Hamilton Street, Gcceikb. A good aa.ortn,ot.t ut . tebea. Bed -room. Dimug Itoont andjl'arlor furniture. u. L as l'a blew- Chaint'atr, , a,•• •, . wood seatedl. Cupboards, Ikd-..ids ir. dlattrt.s. '- sal.-stiads Lounges. Mogan t► Lit -:. • ., Looking Glasser. N. B.—A complete aavortateat of Coffins and 17hrotu:e ale els on Lard sbo Hrar•,. coir Lire at reasonable rate . - Picture Framing a epselahy.—A call et Ito tad 1751 l W11010 uI1im AOQUAINT*D WTHE CEOORWI APHY OF THIS COUNTRY, L SE! SY EXASINNINC THIS MLP, THAT TNR 144 CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC R'Y, Seine the Creat central Lina, affords to traveteis, by reason of. Its unrivaled goo - graphical poaltIon, the shortest and best route batwesn the East. Northeast art Southeast, and the West, Northwest and Southwest. It Is literally and strictly true. that its oanneetions are all of the principal line of road between the Atlantio and the Pa:tifd. Sy Its main lino and beanohs. It reaoftss Chicago, JotI.t, Peoria; Ottawa, La Salle. Donees. Moline and Rook Island. In Illinois ; Davenport, Muscatine, Washington. Keokuk. Know/III% Oskaloosa, Faltflei 1, cies Moines, West Liberty. Iowa City, Atlantic. Avoca, Audubon. Harlan. Outhri3 Center and Council Stuffs. In lows t Callatln. Trenton. Cameron and Kansas City, In Mlssourl. and Leaven- worth and Aternson In Kansas. and the hundreds of cities, villages and totrns tntermcdtate. Tee "CREAT ROCK ISLAND ROUTE," As It Is familiarly called. oilers to trawlers all the advantages and comforts Inoldent to a smooth track. safe bridges. Union Depots at all connecting points, Fast Express Trains. composed of COMMODIOUS. Y/3LL VENTILATED, WELL HEATED. FINELY UPHOLSTERED and ELEGANT DAY COACHES 1 a Inns of the. MOST MAGNIFICENT HORTON REOLININO CHAIR CARS aver built; PULLMAN', latest desinwed and handsomest PALACE SLEEPING CARS, and VINO/fa CARO that are acknowledged by press and people to be the FINEST RUN UPON ANY ROAD IN THE OOUNTRY, and M which superior meals ars served to travoars at the too rat. of SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS EACH. TNISER TRAINS emelt way between CHIOACO and the MISSOURI RIVER. TWO TRAINS each way between ONICACO and MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, via the famous ALBERT, -LEA ROUTE. A New and Dirsot Line, vM Sanece and Kani.akee. has morrows boon opened, between Newport News. Rlehmond, Ctnolnnatl, Indianapolis and La Fayette, sod ammo Bluffs, Ste Pawl, Minneapolis and Intermediate points. An Through Passengers car►led on Fast Express Trains. For more detailed Information. see Maps and Folders. which may be obtained. a• well as Tickets. at all principal Tleket ORlo.. in the United States and panda, or oi R. R. CARLE, S. ST. JOHN, Vloa-Pree't 4 Omen Illmosepsr. Oen'I T'k't a Pase'r Ag't CHICAGO. 15 05103 r 1:Eyt1�;� Viz 1.4 TAR s,se snitaid lad rwrellet a Hoary. tossed et a dr. All -'lm. esmslq Worm et! .beer Itn.r, ,.f ?lira.?.., .int .-.• r • •t t•K•t ' w• •'s t. 1 POTTsa Plll,[Yal Loma. Intl Ir,/rr Rr •+ *wow. pot. P.O. yt,, l'ktoreae.1.5. onseagts.ili J. eIMPII011, Oegadaa Pees. Ag t, Torose, Oat Geo. S. Joetwerge, Ticket Moot, AodM+ah For sale by JAS. WiIIsop CURE S iek Rsedsebe and relieve all the treihtc. stases, it�teaetat sess. of theroveistia, 0101 ,isrh ss Dia - Pals leltr Oleo le thel, Rhes. ss at, Mit saoasi hu bees shown hi al rE • Mit SICK !lslsebe yet eartev'et-lttle Liver PuHare egnslly vsftat.hle w Cosstiption, e.rht awl stn ise NIe aeesylag Mesta\L whit. they Mew cern r e llmwreers of the elewsek, sties ate the liver MK rouble the bowels. Errs If they only eur.'d I4EAD Acle they wield Malwost priceless lt1 these seri eon fr<,w tote etstresetae atnerplslul; bat tonn- ages', p Wheel's* try then oil d these nide 'pppills vola- tile Is se try eye that ices will wet be onus; teas widest thaw. Sot after oil set heed CHE Is theism m of ae real p Me is where we erns rmswoMWaft- =oar 60 pe.pills , �sirs u sirs 'Das Coreserls LW* Liveer► Plfls orewe e vary malt .aurae .opal tkli v�e�tabl• and Betakes pass ht b tkdr pestle ..riot, pleas Viet: �a v1W Ear /roots: ave res $l Sa14 �a*e sverywawe, et .eat by Leel CARTER 11IEDiCiNE Co., New York Oltt,.