The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-03-26

ceased speaking, the truth dawned upon
her. The man whom they proposed to
rob, and, perhaps, murder, was Rhod-
erick Orvis.
He had lately purchased tract of
land adjoining his own, and the money
was to pay the person from whom he
bought 1T It was an awful moment for
the young girl For an instant she
seemed about to lose her senses the
next she grew calm, and her heart rose
up proud, defiant and courageous. She
would save him
But she must act quickly not min
ute was to be lost. Carl and her father
were making ready to start. To snatch
heavy cloak from the opposite wall, wrap
1t about her shoulders, and move swiftly
across the room to the door, was for Lila
the work of scarcely more than second.
She unfastened the door, closed it noise
lessly, and found herself in the little
yard outside. It was some distance from
the house to the glen but the journey
Was one of rapid execution. And hardly
had she gained the top of the narrow
gorge, when the sound of wheels coming
swiftly over the rough road fell upon her
ears, and presently phaeton containing
Rhoderick and Alice Orvis came in sight.
With fervent prayer on her white
lips, the young girl glided forward as
they drew near the spot where she was
trembhngly stationed, and the phaeton
halted when the occupants observed the
dark-robed figure standing in the center
of the road, effectually barring further
progress. Lila addressed them at once.
Back, back - she cried, in sharp,
exciting tones. eff you value your
| lives, turn back Death turks in the
path you are pursuing
A thrill of superstitious awe ran
/ through her listeners. Alice uttered a
cry of mingled terror and alarm but
Rhoderick rose up, saying, as he did so,
who are you 2"
GA friend Do as bid you, and all
will be well,' was answered. Remem-
Der, YOU are warned !" hoated back to
them on the still night air. And Lila
was gone.
There WAS no mistaking the sincerity
/ of her words. Rhoderick felt this, and,
acting upon the impulse of the moment,
and the wild entreaties of his sister, he
sprang from the vehicle, assisted her TO
| alight, and securing the horse TO
tree, turned into path that
| led across the fields to their house.
It was his intention to return as soon
as he had conducted his sister home,
take charge of the horse, and, if possible,
learn more respecting the nights advent
/
who gave them the timely warning; and
Rhoderick had not the faintest idea that
/ it was gentle Lila Wynde who had
saved his life.
| Their retreating footsteps had nat died
away before old Casper Wynde entered
the glen, and glancing about him at
every step, as though he feared their
prey had escaped. What his coniect1res
were on finding the horse and vehicle
there, we cannot say; but glimmering
of the truth must have come to him
there; for, after a moments hesitation,
he sprang into the chaise, seized the
reins, and drove rapidly down the glen
to the spot where Carl was lying In con-
cealment. At the bottom of the vehicle
was q large fur cloak, which Rhoderick
had worn and forgotten in his hasty de-
parture; and almost unconsciously the
old man drew this about his shoulders.
| Attired thus, casual observer would
have easily mistaken him for Rhoderick
! Orvis. Their height was almost similar,
! and their figures were certainly much
| the same.
By this time he had gained the glen
and passed on. A moment after, the
report of q pistol rang out, and bullet
whistled along the beach. That shot
was fatal one.
Lila, hurrying breathlessly homeward,
heard it and shuddered. She had meant
to avoid the spot where she guessed her
father and Carl laid In wait for their vic
tim; but now, impelled by stronger GU
riosity than she could resist, she ran
thither..
4 It was an open space at the end of the
glen, covered almost with huge powders,
around which the road ran Like q great
white serpent; and when she reached
H.
Carl Connor Was standing beside the
PROSTATE form of her father; far down
the road she saw horse and phaeton go
ing at fearful speed, certes running
away. Lila grew pale as the dead. She
took q step nearer Carl, and this was but
I to confirm the fear that suddenly smote
| her-her father was deadi Yes, dead
and the moonlight streaming about him
showed O fatal wound in his breast,
from which the blood was oozing in 8
crimson stream.
When she saw Rhoderick's cloak lying
near him-even then she recognized it
her mind grasped the truth. Carl had
mistaken her father for Rhoderick Orvis,
and shot him dead. And it was so-the
old fisherman rode straight to his doom.
Slowly the horrifed girl turned tC
Carl. His face looked, in the weirdlJ
| glimmering moonlight, the color oi
death itself tremor shook him from
head to foot; he seemed paralyzed with
horror. He moved toward her; but she
waved him off.
| sternly. "Go, and never let me look
upon your face again. Go, and may the
orphans curse forever follow you'll
Without word, without daring to
cast glance at the rigid form of his mis-
erable victim, the guilty, terrified vii