Lady Trebor's Secret, OR THE MYSTERY OF CECIL ROSSE.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 260, 6 October 1877, Page 4

Lady Trebor's Secret, OR THE MYSTERY OF CECIL ROSSE.

[By Mrs. Harriet Lewis.] CHAPTER XXXIII. A T 12 rt K 1 It L E N I O K T. The man Jarvis entered at once upon Ids preparations lor the dread tragedy he and in's confederates had so long contemplated, lie ivent on.t to the stone stable and gave each of Ids ponies a liberal measure of oats, their fare during the winter having been principally hay, which he hud cut and cured himself during the preceding autumn, lie , got ont his stout old wagon, cleaned and dusted it, greased its wheels, and examined it in every wart, testing its strength for the ordeal before it. Then, returning the fresh air, lie surveyed the sky with a critical ga/m. “ Looks as though there was more snow coming,” he .muttered. “ IJift Tin sick and tired of Black Hock, and the women are set on going:—tvc’li have to risk it. The ponies are in good condiiiou. As wo go sonth’ard, stands to reason well find better weather. It’s It lay now, and the roads, so far as I can see, is tolhle. The fever of going is in our blood, a,ml nothing”! squench it but to go. Wish wo had a yacht to go in. Weil malm for a ■fishln’ village I know on, fifty, miles down the coast, and hire a boat there to take us soulh’ard. 1 think wo can safely begin the journey to-night, or rather in the morning before daybreak.” Ho chewed ' the end of a straw' leisurely while he walked tip and down ’the stable-yard, with its small rick of hay and its stone-flagged pavement’; “ \Vc won’t get rid of the young lady and her servant,” ho said to himself, “ till towards morning. They’ll bo asleep thou and unsuspecting, We’ll open the door and creep in like mice, and one blow on each, and the whole Ihing’ll bo settled. We’ll pitch the bodies over the precipice into the sea, and there’s an end on ’em. I'll get to packing the wagon. I’ll take the rest of the day to prepare for the journey.” lie went into his ont-door larder, and took therefrom, some venison hams, a variety of game birds, a haunch of wild mutton, and taro porkhams, and carried them into the great kitchen. The woods and fields of the estate of Black Rock were filled with game. The sheep and swine, of choiscst breeds, that had once been so hlghlyesloemod by their owner, now ran wild. Deer were plentiful, and birds abounded in every nook and covert. A. variety of wild cattle w'as also numerous, and the inmates of Black Rod: had fared ■ sumptuously throughout the long winter. ’ Jarvis laid down Ins stores upon the long, deal table, and called ids wife’s attention to them. “Better get them over the fire at once,” he said. Have plenty of bread. Ma ria can help you, while I pack the wagon.” lie carried out a couple of mattresses and laid them in the bottom, of the covered vehicle. A pile of blankets followed, then two boxes filled with clothing and personal effects. A kettle was swung under the vehicle, also two buckets for water, and several bags of provender lor the horses. Jarvis then loaded his firearms and deposited them upon hooks high up against the sides of the wagon, By the time those and other preparations had been completed night was failing: The man took a final survey of the sky for the night and catered* the kitchen. A great display of cooked edibles was spread out upon the table, and their .savoury smell filled the air. In addition to the boiled and roasted viands there wars a huge .venison pasty, a couple of savoury pies, a great supply of buttered broad, carefully wrapped in linen cloths and placed in stone jars, prune jars of Dundee marmalade and English jams and jellies, and finally, a keg of Scotch whiskey, and a demijohn of brandy. - These final items appealed most strongly to Jarvis’s sense ol luxury. The food was packed in hampers, with knives and dishes, and transported to the wagon. The liquors were carried thither also, and .lovingly secured against disaster. “ And now we’re ready,” said Jarvis, returning to his confederates. “ Wo must dress warm. The weather is sure to be freezing' cold.” “ How about the dogs,” .asked Mrs Jarvis. “ What shall you do with •Ahem>, “ I have tied them under the wagon,” was the response. “We are all ready to start, except that I have yet to harness the ponies and put them to the wagon. That must be done the last thing before our final visit up ■ stairs.” ' : A supper was prepared for the prisoners, and Maria, as visual, attended by Jarvis, carried it up to the towerchamber. Miss llosse was seated by the hearth, when the 'Portuguese woman entered. The girl’s swift, - keen glance searched

the tlark and sinister visage. In spite of her stolidity, Maria could not conceal a certain nervousness and uneasiness that possessed her. She dropped her eyes, and her dark cheeks flushed, and she moved about with unusual awkwardness, as she laid the table and spread upon it the dishes she had brought. “ ftuppor is served, bliss,” she said at last, moving toward the door. At the threshold she half paused, and Cecil caught her final glance, which was dark and strange and terribly sig niiicant —a glance in which for one single instant the secret wickedness of the woman’s soul, her .awful purpose, was made visible. There was a deadly triumph in that look, something of pity, yet, with a stern rolontl;ssness, , an exulting avarice, a gloating, evil joy, such as Cecil had never seen b fore upon her features. The girl shuddered and bent nearer the fire, shading her blanching face with one shaking hand. Maria went out and secured the door, unconscious of the revelation in her final gaze, and returned with Jarvis to the kitchen, For some minutes, Cecil sat motionless;"’ “At last she raised her head, and called softly, in a voice that was singularly calm : “ Gielehon !” The old servant came from the opposite side of the room. “ What is it, Miss Cecil ?” she asked, in alarm. “ How white you look ! Are you ill ?” “ Did you see that woman’s face when she went out ? ’ Grctchcn replied, wonderingly, in the negative. “ It confirms our wildest suspicions of this noon. It was strange and terrible. Gretchen, wo were right. Our enemies have exhausted their patience. They mean to kill us tonight.” “ Then what are we to do ? Has God forsaken ns ?” cried the old peasant-woman. “'Oh, Miss Cecil, must wo die here like birds in a trap ?” ISbe looked around her wildly, as if with some vague hope of escape, and then realizing their helplessness, old Gretchen sank down upon a sola, covered her head with her apron and sobbed aloud. Ceci l sat very quiet for some time, thinking deeply. Now that the hour of death seemed so near, a now courage dawned within the gill’s soul. Her long captivity had told upon her; her young lace was wan and thin ; her eyes burning ; her slender frame was more slender than over, looking as if .a gust of wind would blow it away : but the young heart was brave and resolute, and terror had brought the energy of desperation rather than the torpor of despair, ; “Do not give way like this, Greteheu,” said tiie girl, quietly. “ A few hours yet remain to us. They intend to creep in upon us while we sleep. At the worst we will sell our lives dearly. Lot us eat our supper, and then I will tell you a plan I have.” ' Gretehen complied. They ate their supper. After Marin had removed the tray as usual and departed, Miss Rossc paced her floor with slow and troubled step and thoughtful face. Presently she went to one of the windows and looked out.

The night was chilly, with a pale gloom upon shore and sea. The roar of the waves as they beat upon the rocks filled the air. The wind was blowing fresh from the west, damp and chill, with a salty flavor. The descent from the third story of the tower was so far as to render Cecil giddy as she looked down. “ Wo must lower ourselves to the ground, Gretchen,” she said, drawing in her head. “We can manufacture a rope—” “ But if wo get down they will hunt us with the dogs !” “ Let us do what we can and trust the rest to Providence. I’d rather die down there in the open air than up hero in a prison. We have no time to lose. Come, Gretchen !” The girl hurried into the bed-room and brought forth a quantity of bedclothing. Sheets and blankets were cut into Jong strips and braided into a firm rope. Gretchen brought her own bed-clothcs, but still the rope was far too short for its intended purpose. Cecil Climbed upon her high sewingchair. and tore down the tapestry from the walls, filling the room with dust. Selecting the strongest portions of the hangings, she succeeded in forming a rope long enough for her requirements. Knotting this at intervals, she secured one end to the massive, high, four-post bedstead in the inner room, and lowered the oilier cud out of one of the bedroom windows to the rock beneath. “Wc can never go down such a ladder,” cried Gretchen. £< We should miss our hold and foil to the rocks below. Or we should be dashed against the wall of the tower. Oh, Miss Cecil, your plan is not practicable !” At any rate I shall try it!” returned the young mistress. “ I’d rather be dashed to pieces on the rocks than wait It ore to be murdered. It is growing late. How long it lias taken nt to make onr rope! We have no time to lose. Let us dress at once. Put on the thickest clothes you have, Gretchen.” I TO BB COXTIXUED.J