«we!» ‘.._. g .. ..

 

 

 

 

  

 

6

 

 ATURDAY

 

 

   

 

 

Sought her out. Art and old Naome had
been among her fre uent guests, and the
three were mutually evoted to their recip~
rocal interests.

Thus Art and his present companion
gained unquestioned admittance, and the
best that the cozy little house contained was
placed at their disposal. The young gip-
sy held a consultation with his hostess,
which resulted inaobtain‘ing her promise to
send back the horse they had ridden, with.
in a couple of days, to its, owner. After~
ward, she brought out a suit of clothes
which was less likely to excite particular ob
servation than the velveteen Art wore.

Arthur Clare,rfatigued as he was, was

- still too excited to compose himself to rest

during the few hours they remained there.
He‘liad asked no questions, trusting all im-
plicitly to Art; but now the parental long-
ing which-during the years of his impris~
onment, while he believed his child safe and
happy under the guardianship of Gerald
Fonteney, had been a quiet sorrow for him-
self that he should be~ denied the comfort
of her fond caresses, the clinging clasp of
her tiny child arms, the smooth fresh cheek
laid lovingly to his—his longing for these
dwindled to! insignificance compared with
thenfeverish restlessness which had taken
possession of him to snatch her away from
the dangers which encompassed her,- and to
restore her to the wealth he had scarcely
regretted for himself. , ' ,

“ How long before I shall see my daugh-
ter—my little girl?” he asked, as Art came
to prepare him for their continued journey.

“ Soon,” returned the latter,cheerfully,
though his own heart was heavy with un-
certainty as to what might have befallen
her. “ Ye’ve other things to think of first.
Ye-must, et yerself safe away from them
that’ll see for yo, and be patient till ye can
show lawful claim to her.”

“ Whereare you taking me f—what do
you mean to do ‘3” asked Clare. “ You tell
me my child is in imminent danger; surely
you will not leave her to the harsh mercies
of her enemies?” ‘

“ They’ll never dare to do her hurt l” cried
Art, and his face darkened threatenineg.
“ N o, no ! they’ll not do that, make your-
self sure. They’ll threaten her and be
hard with her, mayhap, but they’ll never
dare to do her greater ill. I’m taking ye to
them that’ll see ye righted. Do ye remem-
ber of one Doctor Chalmers?”

“Doctor Chalmers ?~——he was my physi-
cian. He signed a certificate of my sanity
when I first suspected Granville’s villainy. I
did not expect to live their, and I thought
to confound him after Iwas dead by having
ever thing secured to Justine.”

“ ’ve my orders to take ye to Doctor
Chalmers,” continued Art. “I know no
more than ye what’s to be done after that,
only that ye’ll find friends that’ll set ye
straight.”

,He had procured a large traveling shawl,
the thick, soft folds of which concealed
Clare’s fearfully attenuated figure. His
flowing, snow-white beard was concealed
by a large muffler, and he presented the ap-
pearance of an invalided old gentleman with
no peculiarity to impress an ordinary ob.
server. I

They took passage on a midnight express
train, which paused at the village station.
They alighted from it in the gray dawn of
the winter morning, hours before the tele-
grams, which Mr. Granville sent abroad
flashing over the wires. _

They took a hack, and were rattled over
the stony streets already alive with the la-
boring population flocking in crowds‘to the
various scenes of their daily toil.

It was a confused whirl like an extraor-
dinary phantasmagoria or vivid nightmare
to Arthur Clare, who had so long been shut
out from the wide circles of human in-
fluence and human society. He could
scarcely believe but that he would wake
again to find himself in that lonely room,
with its sable furnishing, with the locked
door and the restless movements of the
hound leashed without, his only glimpse of
the world the solitary view he obtained from
the windows where the single metallic case-
ment, fast closed, was secure as the iron
bars of a criminal’s prison.

His naturally timid, retiring disposition
was broken by long confinement; easily in-
fluenced by a stronger will, if left to himself
now he would have been like a rudderless
ship, buffeted about by any wind of circum-
ztance which might chance to blow upon

im.

But, advised by the forethought of others,
he was beyond the danger of recapture be-
fore his worst foe had discovered his 68‘
ca e. .

octor Chalmers, a hale, cheery old gen—
tleman, with an atmosphere of unmistaka-
ble good living clinging perpetually about
him, was already prepared for their arrival.
The long ride across country on the pre-
vious day had been a tedious roundabout
course from the direct route, but their
flight would have been easily traced by the
nearer ways. Thus it was that Naome had
arrived a full hour sooner than they, by way
of the Centreton express, having first as-
sured herself of J ustine’s safety and of her
return to The Terrace.

She had with her the japanned box that
had never left her possession since the
night Art stole it from its hiding place—the
box containing proofs that Arthur Clare
was legal possessor of three-quarters of a
million- It was Naome who had deposited
it, at his direction, in the secret aperture,
where she was nurse to him during one of
his illnesses at The Terrace so many years
before.

(To be continued—Commenced in No. 123.)

Peed of Peafls:

on,
CLOUDS AND SUNBEAMS.

BY A. P. MORRIS, JR...

Amen or “HOODWINKED,” “mucous, m
neuomucx," “FLAMING TALISMAN," ‘9 BLACK
ounscnu'r,“ cm, are.

CHAPTER XIX.
ANOTHER SURPRISE FOR PAINE.

WE, can not faithfully describe the ex-
pression which came into Claude Paine’s
face, as he turned to discover who it was
that plucked at his sleeve, on the Corner of
Baltimore and North streets.

To simply say that he was astonished
would scarcely portray his condition—for
that astonishment contorted his face into a
dark, scowling, incredulous-fronted visage,
very much unlike the handsome features of
a few moments before. '

Derrick, ton, stared in wonderment.

But Paine’s uneasy surprise was notiyet
complete.

 

 

 

“Perdition! woman !-—-what are you do-
ing here?” _ .

The exclamation was so sudden, hissing,
penetrating, that Cassa recoiled.

“The deuce!” muttered Derrick. “I
thought you were in New Yo’rk, by this
time.” .

Then Paine perceived that Cassa looked
worried. There was a restlessness in her
eyes that betokened a mind ill at ease; and
he saw, further, that she wished to speak,
but hesitated.

The little scene had already drawn the
gaze of numerous bystanders, who were
early at their favorite loitering-place; and
he motioned her to follow him, as he
wheeled abruptly and started toward Fay-
ette street. ‘

“ What in thunder do you suppose is the

, by the other’s side.
“ Matter? Confound the fates! I be-
lieve she has bad news to communicate.”
“ Bad news?”
6‘ Yes.”
“ What makes you think so?”
"‘Did you nottell her to go straight
' through to New York?” '
“ I Certainly did.” '
“ And I bought tickets for that city.
Then how came she here? Why did she
leave the train? I feel the, bad news com-

ingié”

hen Paine reached Fayette street, he
crossed over to the unflnishedCity~Hall
side, where there were fewer pedestrians,
and would be more of an opportunity to
speak with Cassa without attracting atten-
,tion.

The negress was close behind them.
When she came up, Paine demanded again :

“Why are you in Baltimore? Didn’t
Derrick tell you to go to New York ?”

- “ Yes,” answered Cassa; “ but you tole
me I mus’ keep dc chile, an’ dat’s why I’s
here—now.” ‘ -

“What do you mean ?” sharply.

“When we kem to de station place, she
go get up a’ ter drink 0’ water, down t’oder
en’ de car; an’ when I looks fo’ her, bress
goodness! she done gone.”

, “ Bpol ! why did you permit her to leave
rou‘.’

) “I see’d ’er runnin’ along ou do outside,
an’ makes a’ter ’er; but she fool me, some-
how, an’—-—”

“ And has escaped you ‘3”

“ Yes—she ’scaped. ’

The exciting news immediately worked
upon him. _

First, he cursed the negress——then he
cursed what he called his bad luck.

_ ‘I;Confound the nigger !” grunted Der-
rrc .

“ I’s been lookin’ all roun’ town, dc
whole 0’ las’ night, an’ dis mornin’m’fo’ de
Lo‘d I has ! But‘she’s gone fo’ shuah.”

For several moments Paine could not ut-
ter a word. He looked down, at the pave-
ment, with starting eyes; his hands clench-
ed, his face reddened. ' »

He seented danger in this accident.
Would not Pearl, With the money she had,
repair straightway back to Washington;
learn of her stepmother’s departure; per-
haps, by some means; follow them up—
trace them to Baltimore, to St. Louis;
eventually make known to Isabel . what
had transpired, and thus, possibly, ruin all
his well-laid schemes}? . .

He saw plainly the child must have sus-
picioned that all was not right. But, if so,
what had happened to arouse such dis-
trust? W/ty had she fled from the negress?

He did not stop then to answer the ques-
tion.

He reasoned that Pearl would make di-
rect for her home—if she was to be secured
at all, the place to catch her was at the va-
cant house in Washington.
yr Cassa must return, then, at once. Der—
rick must accompany her. The two might
be successful, if they acted in prompt con-
cert.

All this passed like telegraphy through
his brain—the decision was reached with
the rapidity of an electric spark.

Derrick stood quietly to one side, with
hands rammed into the full depth of- his
pockets. »

“ Woman ! I’m afraid you’ve made more
mischief than can be undone by your care-
lessness !” Paine exclaimed, suddenly. “ If
this child gets back to her mother—3’

. ‘1; Your tin pan’s bu’sted !” inserted Der-
ric .

“I am utterly ruined!” finished Paine;
adding, hissineg: “and if she does,you
will soon be as poor as you ever were. Did
I not tell you you should have all the
money you wanted, if you served me faith-
fully ?”

“ Yes, you tole me dat,” admitted Cassa,
meekly, for she already felt sorry enough
at prospect of losing the regular salary
agreed upon.

“I knows you tole me dat.
I goin’ to do ?”

“You must go back to Washington—
andiIIDegrick, I want you to go with her.”

(( I  .H

“ Yes, you.
chestine’s house, and wait there, and watch.
I feel sure that Pearl will hasten there.
You must secure her.”

“But what if she resists?” suggested
Derrick, inquiringly.

“Threaten her ! You can terrify her.
But I would not do her any real harm, if I
were you. She must be secured, at any
cost ;” and he added, to the negress: “If
you are successful, I’ll give you another
hundred.”

“How am I oin to find on aoain ?”
Derrick asked. g g y D

“ I will wait for you at the Southern Ho-
tel, in St. Louis—a week, if necessary.”

“ All right—”

“Now go. Be off, without delay. Watch
at the house, and you will catch her. I
know she will go straight there. Don’t you
seewhow natural it would be for her to do
so.

“ Yes. Come on, nig,” the last to Cassa.

Derrick started down North street, and
the negress followed.

They took the first train for Washington.

Claude Paine drank several times at the
counter of Bernard’s wine-store before re-
turning to his hotel.

He did not seek the society of Isabel. He
felt that his mind was in no state to permit
of calmness then; and it was not until the
dinner hour came around that he had suffi-
ciently quieted himself to venture in her pre-
sence.

They dined pleasantly together, and the
meal was followed by a. long tote a tete,
teeming with passionate interchanges of
sentiment and affectionate caresses.

Late'ln the afternoon ,he was pacing

But what’s

 

slowly to and fro before the office counter,

a. cigar «between his lips, hands folded be-
hind him, and deeply wraptin thought.

matter ?" questioned Derrick, as he kept ,

Both. Go up to Mrs. R0-;

 

There were several new arrivals; and, as
he passed the, large bopk that lay open on
the counter. he involuntarily glanced at the
hicroglyphicked page. , ,

As he'looked, he paused. Then he drew
closer. A new ex’citement came upon him.
Something had startled him-a name ; and
that name was:

PERCY WOLFE.

“ 116 here !” flashed through his mind,
with a forco that gave him a shock; “ curse
the fates! I wonder if he has tracked me ‘2”

He strode rapidly away up the stairs to
his room. From his room, he sent a mes-
sage to Isabel, as follows :

‘5 If convenient, I would like to see you.
Shall I come i’” '

And the waiter brought back, in answer:

“ Always, at leisure for you, Claude.”

He was shortly with her. .

But she did not imagine that his object
was to be sure that she did not show her-
self by any possible chance, to. any one in
the hotel—for that very one might be Percy
Wolfe, his dreaded enemy.

And ever minute was an hour to him,
that must e apse before he could flee again
from the man he feared.

CHAPTER XX.
THE ARREST.

PERCY WOLFE, when he returned to the
city with his sister, secured rooms for him-
self and her at Barnum’s. '

He went to the Fountain Hotel, and re-
moved his trunk; then repaired to the de-
pot after Nellie’s trunk, which she, in her
haste to get to Ingleside, had left at the for-
,mer place.

After they were finally seated alone in
Nellie’s room, their mutual joy was renew-
ed—such a joy as can only exist between
brother and sister, after so many long, long
years of separation.

Their hearts Were full; lips could not
speak fast enough the countless things they
had to say. It was the picture of childhood
rewrought, in which they almost reassumed
the sunny garb of youth, in their very
smiles and tears, and foolish yet happy ut-
terances.

At last, however, young \Volfe sobered
in his transports, checked the gossip of his
tongue, to ask:

“ Where’s father, Nellie ‘2’"

He read his answer in the downcast eyes
and sorrowful face.

“ Dead,” she whispered, tremulously.

The air was hushed around them.

“ And mother?” in a suppressed, hesi-
tating voice.

“ Dead, Percy-«dead !”

A strange, hallowed calm prevailed. He
drew her close to him. ,

“ Then you have been lonely. And I so
far away, that you really had no one to—
but where‘s Diamond ? She must have
grown to be a beautiful, beautiful girl by
this time! Tell me: where is she ?”

For a second, she was struggling with
some powerful emotion ; then she threw
her arms around his neck, and gazed up at
him—her eyes dimmed with tears that were
just ready to trickle from the lid. v.

“ Percy !—she, too, is dead!”

“ All dead ‘2” he murmured, looking ab-
sently down at the carpet. _

“ All l—«ali!” she breathed, tremblingly.
“ But, oh! Diamond is far happier than she
would have been, had she lived.”

“ What do you mean, Nellie ?” a

“ She died of a broken heart!” The
words were spoken so low, that he could
scarcely hear what she said.

“A broken heart, Nellie? How? Ex-
plain.” '
“I will. It was when she was sixteen

years old. But, she was a woman then——
and oh ! so lovely. A perfect earthly angel,
Percy ; and it seemed as if she loved every-
body, for she was only happy when doing
something to please othei‘sw”

“ Just like your own sweet self,” he broke
in, earnestly.

“ Andshe was loved by every one,” went
on Nellie. “ One man, who was visiting at
our little village, became infatuated with
her—worshiped her, as he said ; and she,
poor child, was won by his pretty speeches
and handsome face. He flirted with her,
and she believed him sincere. Though I
heard him myself promise to return, at a
day not then far off, and make her his bride.
But he never came, Percy—never !”

“ Go on, Nellie! And our dear little sis-
ter ?——Di-amond ?”

“ She waited long for him, sorrowing
more and more, as the weary months rolled

by ; until—at length, she—” Nellie covered

her face with her hands and sobbed aloud.

“Tell me the rest.” His own cheeks
were wet with grieving tears; but he was
prepared for any thing now, since he had
learned that father and mother had both
passed away forever from this life.

“I watched her tenderly; I did all I
could. But she died, Percy—she died in
my arms. I shall never forget the sweet
smile in her face, when she looked up at
me, and said, ‘Good-by—good-by, Nellie—
sister?’ And the last breath called the
name of the man who had dealt her this
blow ! 0h! Percy—and I so dearly, dearly
loved her!”

She wept bitterly. She was not, at this
moment, the calm, self-possessed Miss Byrue
that she had been while in Mrs. Roches-
tine’s employ, for, now the woe that she
had so heroically concealed from the eyes
of strangers, overwhelmed her as she drew
under the sympathetic fold of a brother’s
arm.

“Don’t weep so,” he said, soothingly.
“What was this villain’s name I?”

“ Claude Paine.”

“ CLAUDE PAINE !” He stared in amaze
ment; he hardly believed his ears.

(L Yes-H
, “ What!” thought the young man, “ can
it be, that the Claude Paine I am pursuing,
is the destroyer of my sister’s life? By
Heaven! if ’tis so, I will rend him limb
from limb!” and then aloud: “ Nellie, I am
hunting for a Claude Paine!”

“ No ?” looking at him incredulously
through her tears.

“But, I tell you, I am. Can it be, that
this same villain is the man I am after? In
London, I had a friend named Horace
Rochestine—”

“ Ah!” She leaned forward quickly.

“ This friend died—”

“ Yes, yes; I know.”

“ You know?"

“He died of fever, did he not f—months
ago ?”

“ How did you bear it '3” in wonder.

“ I was governess to their child. Pearl—if
it is the same——”

“ Pearl! Yes—it must be the same.
Wliy—” ‘ r

“I was governess to their child. It was
my only means of living, Percy."

 

 

 

“ You, governess to Pearl Rochestinc ?”

“ Yes. I left their house yesterday, after
Pearl was Sent away, as they said, to In-
glesidc—"

“ Inglesidc l”

“ Eres__” ’ ‘ ‘

. “But I have been there, too. Pearl is
not at Inglcside !” '

“I know she is not. And oh! Percy, I
fear for her. Her stepmother is in love
with this very Claude Paine—J know it.
And he loves her.” , . r

“ By heaven ! Claude Payne 2'8 "a scouri-
drel,” cried Percy, as he now felt convinced
by his sister’s words, that Paine and Isabel
Rochestine ~must be in league together to

‘ rob the child.

“ Have you any idea where he is, Nellie ?
He has Horace Rochestine’s will.”

“ Horace Rochestine’s will i” Nellie gasp~
ed in astonishment. -

“ Yes. .And I firmly believe that he and
Mrs. Rochestine have plotted to cheat
Pearl out of her inheritance.”

“ Oh, Percy !” ‘

“ I do—I do.”

“But you can easily find this man, by
going to Washington, and asking Mrs.
Rochestine where he is, She knows~”

“Mrs. Rochestine is not in Washington,
he exclaimed, growing more agitated. '

“ Not there ?”

“ No. I was at her house this morning,
and it is closed.” ~ ,

“ Then she has gone to California—to Sac-
ramento.”

“ Ha ! how do you know ‘2” fairly. trem-
bling in excitement, and haltstarting up.

“ Pearl told me that her mother was on
the eve of departure for that place—”

He sprung to his feet with a cry.

“ Then we’ll be after them to~night, and
close on their heels. There’s a train to-
night for St. Louis. We will go on that.
I’ve no time to lose. I must be off after
tickets, and tell them at the office that I am
going. There— don’t detain me, Nellie,
don’t detain me i” _ .

Snatching a hasty kiss, he darted from
the room, in a wild state of mind, to arrange

for their immediate departure.

 

The individual with the sachel, who was
so unexpectedly collared by Neal Hardress
and Kirk Brand, at the Camden Station, was
rather timid by nature, and he came near
sinking down in terror, as those startling
words were growled in his ear :

“ Halt ! You are a prisoner l”

“ I beg pardon, sir,” apologized Hardress,
while be half held up the trembling man,
“ we’ve took you for some one else.”

“ Yes, a—some one else—J assure—I swear
I never did anything! Your apology is ac—
cepted. Certainly, that’s all right—ha! ha!
———it’s all right,” as he stammcred and forced
himself to laugh, his knees were cracking
together, and threatening to bend under
him, and when Hardress released him, and
he started away, he did not run—but he
walked real fast! '

Brand gruntcd.

“ This is a fine go !” he exclaimed, asthey
left the depot. “ How did you ever corne
to make such a blunder ?”

“ I can’t see. I know I had the right
man ‘ spotted.’ He was on that train, and
now he’s’slipped right through our fingers.
'What’s to be done?”

“ Bless the, if I know!
left is to begin over again.”

“ Well, we’ll begin over again.”

Just then they collided With a man who
was hurrying toward the out oing cars.

“ Hello! N cal—Kirk l” he houtcd.

“ Why, Sales!” exclaimed the two detec-
tives in a breath, and Brand asked :

“Have you trapped Estelle Berkely, yet ?”

“ No, I haven’t. I don’t believe she’s in
this city after all. I was on the point of
coming over to see you, in Washington, for
a consultation.”

“ Well, it’s the same luck all around.”

“ Haven’t you got him yet ?"

“ Nary got—~”

“ Come. over to the hotel, and let’s talk
there,” said Hal-dress.

\Vithin a short space, the three detectives
Were in the office of a hotel—and that hotel
was the Fountain. It was blind fate.

“ Might as Well put up here, anyhow, for
to—night, I guess, or till we can look around,"
suggested Hardress.

V “ Yes,” acquiesced Brand, and the two
turned to the counter, to register.

To their utter amazement and delight, the
very first name they saw on the book, was
that of Percy Wolfe. I,

“ Hooray !” chuckled Brand; and

“ By thunder l” blurted Hardress.

They were on the track again.

The only thing

 

The hotel coach at Barnum’s was waiting
for its passengers.

Nellie was inside the conveyance, await-
ing her brother, when a lady and gentleman
got in, whom, to her astonishment, she im-
mediately recognized : as Claude Payne and
Isabel Rochestine.

Here was a discovery. She drew her vail
closer round her face, while her heart pal-
pitated faster. . '

Presently Wolfe approached.

Just as the young man had his foot on
the step, two men laid hold upon him.

“ Halt there, Percy Wolfe ! we want
you i”

“ Arrest me ! For what- ?”

“ To answer for the disappearance of He—
rod Dean, in the city of London——”

“ There is some mistake—" he began.

“ Isn‘t your name Wolfe ?”

' “ It is.”

“ Then there is no mistake. Come.”

He was at first bewildered. But he soon
comprehended. ,

“ Nellie !" he cried, turning to his sister.

“ Hush l” she cautioned.

A scream had arisen to her lips, when she
heard the words of the man who detained
her brother, yet, with admirable presence of
mind, she not only smothered that scream,
but uttered the timely caution ——for, the ver
parties she and her brother were in scare 1
of, sat there, in front of her, and she did
not wish to arouse their suspicions as to her
identity.

1“ Nellie !” he continued, in an undertone,
for he, too, saw that there were others in
the coach, “ this charge can not keep me
long, I am sure. There ssomething wrong,
but it will soon’be adjusted, never fear. You
go on. Here—take this.”

He handed her his pocketbook.

Then she leaned close to his ear, and
whispered, rapidly : y

“ I will send a letter for you, to the office
of the Planters’ hotel, in St. Louis. You
can follow its directions, and you will
either find me, or further directions—and

so you can trace me up. I have found them,

already I” .

Ere he could speak again, or ask hervwhat

she meant by saying she had “ found them

 

away. .

already,” be was forced away by Neal Hard
rose and Kirk Brand.

Nellio’s wits were keen. Before her eat
the pair they werein pursuit of.’ They
were going to St. Louis, like herself, and
she reasoned that they might make a stop
there. Hence the shrewdness of her quick
Words to her brother. "

And as the coach moved, off, and Nellie
prepared herself to watch the couple into
whose presence a strange fate had thrown
her, she saw a half-ang , half~triumphant
gleam in Claude Paynes dark eyes, as he
gazed out at the prisoner who was being led

 

CHAPTER XXI.
PEARL AND HER. CAPTORS.

PEARL Rocnns'rmn faced the ruflian and
the mono with a fearlessness that, for several
seconds, balked their comprehension.

Nothing could induce her to comply with
the evil demand the had made—~nothing
could terrify her so ar as to cause her to
swerve from the golden precopts that had
been instilled into her heart.

A thief? Never! No matter what the
alternative, she would never be that.

The man glared upon her; the crone,
taken aback by the unexpected action of
the child, craned her neck, and widened her
small, sharp eyes to their greatest capacity.

The three children watched the tableau
in fright, and the girl whispered to her
companions: '

“Rover ’11 kill her !"

Then Rover uttered a loud curse, and
snarled, savagely:

“ Look ’e here, gal, yer‘d better mind out I

Ain’t yer goin’ to do what we wants?”

“ No, I am not!” panted Pearl.

“ Yer won’t ?”

“ No, I won’t!”

He was growing red with, rage.

“ Wait, Rover; wait! I‘ll fix her !” gib-
bered the woman, grinning diabolically.
“Let me settle it! “ Oho! we’ll soon take
the starch out of you -—you little fool!
fix you l—I will.”

She stepped quickly to one side, and took
a long, thin strap from a peg in the wall.

The three children knew what this
meant, and they gazed sympathizingly on
the unfortunate girl. They had felt that
strap, till their shoulders were bruised and
scarred.

“ What are you going to do with that f"
demanded Pearl, compressing her lips tights

.V« .

“Ho! you’ll find out! We’ll show you—-
we’ll show you i”

“ Yer’d better mind, now i" said Rover,
threateningly.

“Will you swear ‘2" mocked the wolfish
female, as she advanced, menacingly, and
flourished the significant strap in the air.

“ No, I won’t!” cried Pearl. “ Don’t you
dare to strike me with that l—don't you
dare !”

The woman shuffled nearer.

Pearl’s teeth clenched together, and she
assumed a threatening attitude.

The three children scarer breathed.

“ I’ll give you one more chance!" squeak-
ed the woman, with another of her mali-
cious grins.

“ I don’t care if you give me a hundred!
——don’t you dare tostrike me with that, or
it’ll be the worse for you ! I tell you I
won’t !—-I won‘t !—'I won’t ! And I'll
scratch your eyes out if you come near me.
I’m not afraid of you i“

“ Take care !” The bag circled the strap
above her head.

“ Cut ’er!” growled Rover.

The children gasped simultaneously, and
recoiled. '

Down came the strap, with a hiss and-

a whiz—a merciless stroke that might have
drawn blood.

But Pearl was fully aroused—her whole
nature was fired—she was blind to all bodi-
ly danger for the moment.

With a quick, sharp cry, she caught the
descending strap~though the contact blis-
tered her hand——and, with all her little
strength, she wrenched it from the other’s
hold.

Then, with lightning rapidity, she struck
—a blow that coiled the strap around the
woman’s neck, and wrung a shriek of pain
and rage from her shriveled lips.

But she had not time to repeat the chas—*
tisement. Rover grasped her in his power-
ful arms, and pinioned her struggling form,
as if in a vice.

The woman tore away the strap, that was
nearly strangling her, and, with every out—
line of feature hideously distorted and
writhing, sprung forward, screaming:

“ Let her go, Roverl—let her go! I‘ll
teach her, the scratch cat! Let her go!
Let me get at her! I’ll kill her !" _

(To be coatinued¢0mmmwd in No. 135. )

Doubleollleath:
THE SP! QUEEN, OF WYOMING.

A names or THE monument.

BY FREDERICK WHITTAKEB,
(LAUNCE POYNTZJ

AUTHOR or “ran RED nuke," “ran amena- on
THE BUBIES," mu, m.

CHAPTER XIV.
Tim’s JOURNEY.

When Tim Murphy mounted his horse
that night and rode away, he was fully
aware that he had a dangerous foe on his
track, in the person of the Seneca chief
and his seven fellowers. He judged that
they were not the men to leave their com-
rades unavonged, and that it would be pru-
dent to put as much space between them as
possible. He also foresaw that it was no-
cessary to change his own appearance some-

 

 

 

 

 

.»  secrets. t)“;

what, and to that end he carried off with
him the garments of the Indians, selecting
the best articles from each. Then he turned
his horse into the river, and struck boldly
out for the opposite shore, although in sev‘
eral places the animal had to swrm. Ar-
rived at the other side, Tim rode off through
the woods till he came to a hollow, when be
tied his horse, and returned to the bank on
foot, to watch the opposite shore.

“ Bedad, av they don’t come over,”
quoth Tim to himself, “ I may as well camp
here for the nig‘ht, and get a little wink of
sleep, and av t ey try to come, bedad, I'll
heel ’em over as they swim, the painted div-
ils.”

He waited patiently for some minutes.
and soon heard the death-howl set up on
the other side of the river, announcing that
the chief or his trailers had found the
scalped bodies of their comrades. As he
had anticipated, in a little while more they

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