Mary, dear, you and Archie will have to manage the plantation in my absence," and he went on to give some directions.
"I will do my best," she said tearfully, "and as we have been for months past frequent visitors at Ion, I can surely go to see you there occasionally without exciting suspicion." "Yes, I think so." "Father," said Archie, "you can never walk to Ion; let me bring my pony and help you to mount him; then I will lead him to Ion and bring him back again." "That is a bright thought; we will do so, if you can saddle him in the dark and bring him here very quietly." "I'll try, father," and the boy hastened away in the direction of the stables.
He returned sooner than they dared hope, with the pony saddled and bridled.

Husband and wife bade a mournful adieu.

Mr.Leland mounted with his son's assistance, and silently they threaded their way through the woods to Ion.
"Hoo! hoo! hoo!" the cry came in loud and clear through the open windows of the bedroom of the master and mistress of Ion, and startled them both from their slumbers.
"Hoo, hoo! hoo!" it came again, and with a light laugh, Elsie said, "Ah it is only an owl; but to my sleeping ear it seemed like a human cry of distress.

But Edward--" He had sprung from the bed and was hurrying on his clothes.

"I doubt if it is not, little wife," he said.