The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-20

mmIiQu, p5g1nn1ng TO loel frightened.
"The nee.see said said at the crossroads"
An ugly sneer distorted the mans
face.
"Can't help it,~ he growled. "we're
knowi Come opl"
But Marian did not stir.
"Pm not going a step furtherW she
cried sharply. "You can 80 on yourself,
and ask Mr.. Vane to come to me here.,,
81 shan't move without youW
Marlan's heart sank within her at the
mans brutal manner. Nevertheless,
fixing her bright eyes steadily upon him.
she said:
trap"
He sneered, and that sneer was
enough-it expressed malignant triumph.
Marian turned, with sharp little cry
along the road by which she had come,
but the brute, quick as flash, dropped
a hand of steel upon her shoulder.
"Come, my pretty dear" he hissed,
"none, o. that. You don't get away from
me so easily" Then, raising his voice,
he shouted, "Bill, BillW
The next instant second ruffian broke
through the low shrubbery that bordered
the path, and, coming up quickly, took
hold of Marian's disengaged arm.
"Come, my plucky one" said he:
"you're wanted. You'd better 60 with
us quiet HKe."
Marian turned deadly pale, but she
saw that resistance would be useless.
"What are you going to do with mer'
"You happen to be one too many in
this world, and we calkerlste to put you
out o. it," answered Bill, with laugh.
"Eh, SteveW
"Yes, reckon"
She glanced from one to the other
with an eye of fire.
"Shamel shame! Has my uncle hired
you to kill me?"
"That's none of your business" re.
torted Bill, grinning his admiration OF
her spirit. "Thats our affair altogether.
All you've got to do Is to yield up the
ghost gentle like"
She said no more, but suffered the two
rufRans to drag her Tor some distance
along the rude path. She saw through
Gustave Drake's hirelings. He had
written that letter to which Frederick
Vane's name was signed-a very clear
forgery, Dy the way, since it had de-
ceived loves own eyes. He meant to
get rid of her and claim all her money,
as he had limited, UP at the tavern, so
short q time before. AS next of kin, it
would naturally fall to him; and in this
out-of-the-way place no questions would
be asked.
Presently, when it had grown quite
dusk, the men paused before a half
ruired cabin, in the heart of the wood.
''Here we are" said Steve. GAIL quiet.
Let's 60 in"
ArI fhou 1yar,t on,pro11in, To
to accompany them, nOlenS UOtehs.
At the door, Bill had taken the pre-
caution to tie a handkerchief round her
wrists, SO that her hands, which he had
drawn behind her back, were quite USE
less.
Pushing her into a corner, where she
nearly tumbled headlong upon pile OF
straw, he said brutaliy:
"Now lie there, while we strike light
to finish the job"
The glow of lamp soon illuminated
the place. 1t must have been brought
for this especial purpose, as the cabin
did not show signs of having been inhab-
tied for long while.
Marian glanced curiously around. 1t
was wild place, nearly ready to tum-
must haYe been partition dividing off a
smaller room from the main apartment
had already fallen, and its debris was
piled near the opposite wall.
just against this pile of lumber stood
a rude table, upon which the lamp had
been placed; and bottle of whisky, pro-
duced from Steve's capacious pocket,
was ranged beside the lamp, as If to
keep 1t company.
"Take swig, Bill" said he. Wt will
nerve you up tor the business"
Thus invited, Bill lifted the bottle to
his lips and took deep draught.
"Now, Steve," SAID he, 81 want to
know if you got the swagW
''Humphl OF course l did. 1 made
old Drake chalk down."
sHow muchW
"Six hundredp and Steve slapped his
breast pocket quite complacently.
Gland it over" said. his pal, roughly.
"You've got to divide with ME now."
"No; won't let 1t 90 out Of my hands
until the job is done."
"Don't fool with me-" said Bill, in an
ugly tone. II want that money, and Pm
going to have it. l don't trust fellow
like you."
A glare of rage came into steve's
eyes. He stepped quickly forward, and
laid pistol upon the table.
s'Look here!' he exclaimed. 81 don't
want to break with you, but I'd put a
bullet through your heart in a jitty ifyou
tried to come any Of your shines ovei
me-"
"Would youW roared Bill.
GAY, curse y0uW
"Will you hand that money over
here?"
"No, WON'T"
Quich as flash, the ruffian sprang
upon Steve, bearing him away from the
table, out OF the reach of the pistol, be-
fore the latter fully realized his purpose
"You wouldn't give me my share Of
the swag," Kissed Bill; ssand now III
take the Whole of it," W.
They closed, the next instant. But
Bill seemed to be the stronger Of the
two, as the liquor he had drank infuriat
ed him, for he had soon succeeded III
drawing a knife, and was cutting and
slashing at his quondam pal with savage
yiolen ce, while the latter found it DIFF
fcult matter to parry the Well-directed
blows.
Marian watched them as if fascinated
| She had risen from the pile of straw
and stood transfxed. glaring breath
| lessly at the combatants.
Suddenly, in the midst of the struggle
she saw a hand and an arm thrus
slowly and noiselessly above the pile o
boards, and five white fingers clutchet
the pistol that had been left lying OIL