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

| Qu1Je bS MUCH uho plS-bty db uuudI
habitation, and this was the only taverr
AS Marian Drake promenaded up an(
down the narrow veranda-just at tina
moment redolent with the onions ant
cabbage being cooked in the kitchel
close by--heR aristocratic nose went III
into the air very contemptuously.
0tleasant, must sayp she lnuttered
81 wonder how much longer Uncle Drake
intends to keep me here"
Presently q man came slowly up tht
road, and paused by the veranda-steps-
tall, sleek, smooth-faced gentleman o
about fifty.
glancing at her with an impudent leer.
"Yes," Marian answered, sharply %
was wondering how much longer you arr
going to make an exile Of me-"
"You don't like itT
81 don't like it,"
"Nor Montana, should judge"
81 hate MontanaW she cried, emphatic
ally.
"You shouldn't wear your heart in you
sleeve, my dear. The occasion of youl
dislike is quite evident. Frederick Van'
is not here"
Marian colored up little, but sht
looked more angry than ashamed.
SHE will be, though" she said, "if vol
don't get ready to make speedy exc
dus."
Mr.. Drake started and glanced sharpl!
at her.
=" What vi. ! dc, do you 70 mean' vane is not Oh
"Not that am aware. But he nigh
decide to come. He was not pleased a
all that you took me away from New
York"
II should judge not" sneered Drake
looking relieved nevertheless. 'slt put {
stop to his billing and eooing. OF course
he didn't like it"
Marian lifted her shoulders whimsi
| cally.
"When are you going to take me home
We've been here three weeks-quite
long enough to do place OF this sort, I'm
| sure"
81 am not tired of Luckeneugh Guloh.'
81 am" she retorted. "The affair lost
its zest long ago. If you think am 60
ing to fall sick, pine away and give VI
the ghost in this out-of-the-way place,
SO that you, being next of kin, can claim
all my property, you are quite mistaken
| in your calculationsW
| What did it mean? His face grew
ghastly at her thoughtless words. HI
paused an instant, glared at her with
| menace, fear, and hatred in his eyes
and then went stalking past her into the
house.
"You shall repent your bravado in
daring to address such a remark to mej
he said, ere he disappeared.
Marian stood Rs if transtixed. Al
last smile rippled over her face.
.That chance shot told," she muttered
81 do believe the wretch must have
brought me here with some such though
in his mind. 1t is very inconvenient
sometimes, to be an heiress. But fortu
nately / am not afraid of Uncle Drake
Pve got too much Of my fathers spirit fol
| that"
1t will be seen there was no great love
between uncle and niece.
| Marian had not long to dwell upon thu
suspicion that had crossed her mind, fol
a man came round from the rear Of tht
tavern and paused before her.
| He was rough, uDgalnly-looking fell
low. with shock of bristling, yellow
hair, and face very badly SCARED and
distorted-not man to inspire trust, by
any means.
Marian nodded.
"Then this must be yourn, I reckon
and he produced letter from hiddel
pocket In his miners garb.
with trembling fingers, and read these
words:
~ have followed and tracked you al
the way to Luckenough Gulch, dearest
1 could not remain in New York whel
YOU were gone. / am waiting for you a
the crossroads, half mile from the tav
ern. Come to me at once. Your Uncl'
must not know l am near. The beare
of this note will be your guide. Yours
"FREDERICK VANE."
She crumpled the note, and thrust i
into the pocket of her dress. 1t was he
lovers writing beyond doubt.
"Dear Fredl" she murmured, with ;
thrill of pleasure. "How. he must low
me to follow me to the wilds Of Montana
OF course l shall go to him at once.' ,
Then tuning to the man she said, "Ar'
YOU here to conduct ME to the persol
who sent that notep
"pm just that very chap, num-"
ssThen lead the way at once. We nav
no time to waste"
| None indeed, for the sun had dippe'
into the mountain gorge at the west lonl
before, and was now slipping out OF sigh
like a great red ball Of fire, droppin
over the horlzon-yerge.
Marian gave one hurried glance benin!
her to be sure her uncle was not in sight
and then stepped quickly into the sand
road.
"Do you go on BEFORE" she said to tn
Imam.
He obeyed, muttering something unde
his breath as he did SO. AS they walke
on in this manner, his tall, massiv
frame looming up before her through tn
purple twilight that began to gathe
rapidly about them, Marian could no
help thinking what dangerous-lookin
fellow he was.
81 shall tell Fred to send messenge
of different stamp another time," sh
thought, laughing softly to herself.
She was. happy and light-hearted as
child, for nearly three months ha
elapsed since she had parted with he
lover in New York, to accompany Gus
tave Drake, who was her guardian, upo
this Western tour. 1t would be bliss IL
fdeed to meet him once againp
Il Presently the man turned and glance,
at her sharply, aud struck into a bnsl
grown path, Leading away to the righ
"This is the way mum-Only te'
, steps further"
Marian stood stoek-still. They ha
left the settlement some distance b.
hind, and were now in wild and lionel
mart Of the country. Not q human hab