THE FAIR COURIER. 87

 

went out, and the horse was led away to
the stable. It was clear that the indivi-
dual in search of her had concluded to
pass the night there, and secure her in the
morning.

The intrepid girl now bent all her
thoughts’on the possibility of making an
escape. An hour she lay, with her heart
almost fluttering in her bosom, listening,
intently to every sound that was made by
those who were around her. At length all
became still. Preston and his wife, as
well as the new-comer, had retired to rest,
and the heavy slumber into which both
the men had fallen was made soon appa--
rent by their heavy breathing.

Noiselessly leaving her bed, Emily put
on her clothes in haste, and pushed aside
the curtain that had been drawn before
the window. Through the distant tree-
tops she saw the newly-risen moon shining
feebly. As she stood, leaning out of the
window, listening eagerly, and debating the
question whether she should venture forth

xL—6