Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-11-27
[coPrRIGHT sECuREp.]
Heir Of the Mills
Chr stturnry's fee.
ALFRED B. TOZEB,
AUTHOR or "BOUND HAND AND Foor,"
"WHo WAS TO BLAME" ETC. Ere.
CHAPTER Xxx.
IN THX GROVE.

/ Eo'ari was aiore IN his room in Mr..
Clavson's house nearly all day. Grover
came in once or twic. but went right out
again. and Fanny did not visit him at all
e.cnnt to bring up his dinner. until just at
ni@htfall.
Il am going over to Rertha's very soon
now" sHe said. "Do You think YOU are
strong erougn to 90 there with me ?"
II wouldn't miss goina, for anything in
tie about the room in king ready. Can
! We 90 by some street where | will not be
lik"lv to be seen 2"
Yes" said FANNY. eve can turn of
from the main street Just below and follow
a path through the @"ovc 1t will be dark
by the time get started, and there will
/ be no don~er."
! "IIiss Ciayson." said Roland. after
short silence 81 am very sorry that scene
occurred this morning. | hope it will lead
to no unpleasantness.
at will all be explained in few days, I
suppose said Fanny.
II hope So" was the reply. "I can't
ho2r this mystery, and shall do all l can to
| Lrn. it to an end Immediately"
What do YOU imagine Bertha will
say" asked Roland, after they were ON
| their way.
/ Il nave no lNea.
As they turned from the street into the
grove Fanny had M ltoncd, Roland felt
| the young gil clutch his arm excitedly.
Some one is following u.s." she whis-
1 pered, in frightened tones.
81 see no one said Roland glancins
around.
/ He Just crossed the street and went
into the grove little way up" was the
reply;
"Was that the first you saw of him."
"No, he came ont of vacant lot lust af-
ter we left the house was the reply, and
he has been following us ever since. Shall
/ We rrrn back 2"
"Certajniy not" said Roland. "1he fel
low may have mistaken us for some ons
else. Besides, am well armed if he should
mean mischief
In the center of the grove the path was
Ioriercd on both sides by Il tangled thick
ct, and as they reached this place a crack
ling was heard IN the brush Snort distance
to the right.
"ne is hidden in the thickct," said
Fanny clin9lng in terror to Roland's arm.
"plelse release my arm. and step back
little, Miss Clayson,' said Roland. Il
must have both arms free if am attacked;
besides, you will not be harmed Ii is only
me- they are after"
/ Fanny did as requested. and Roland adj
vahc'd carefully along the path. which
was almost hidden by the darkness of the
night.
They mean to murder me. he thought,
/ hard feeling taking possession of mis-
heart. al will not die without struggle,
at least" he muttered, keeping his revolver
ready for instant use.
He stopped and listened, and the noise
in the thicket was repeated, and nearer
than before
At this mo":ont. oSever, the sound Of
voices was b nd: oming from the opposite
direction.
Both Roland and Fanny felt relieved, for
they We're certain that nothing would be
attempted when others were so near.
1--WE viii hasten through now" said Ro,-
and, giving his arm to the trembling girl.
I'VE have nothing to fear while others are
n toe grove"
A short distance along they came upor
the two men they had heard talking. Rol.
and brushed past them without looking up.
for he did not want to be recognized by
anv one.
After they had passed them, however
FANNY said. did you see who they were2'
81 did not" was the renly.
1t was Eu~ene and Mr.. Gray"
Eo'lnd started.
"Dd they recognize us?' he asked.
81 CON t see how they conld have helped
it." said Fanny, in q trembling tone.
In fact she appeared more frightened
over this meeting than she had over the
possibility Of trouble from the man who
had followed them.
Roland made no reply. He was too busy
with his own bitter thoughts for conversa-
ton.
"lf they really meant to have me muir
Ncrod Tonight" he thought, "thcy have
defeated the plans of their own ruilian.
But for their approach | should probably
have had it hand to hnni with u c!t-throat
hired to put me out OF the way"
His brain WIS in II whul of disacrccahle
thoughts. "Thcre Is "A mystery about it
all that | cnu't comprrhend,' he muttered
81 can't believe that the brother OF the
girl | love IS capable of such villainv, and
still fail to see n motive for any ore else
to attempt my life"
While he was still ponicring over the
mystery Fanny paused in frontof the house
they sought.
"'Therc," she said, "vou see Bertha has
company. There will have to be more
do1"ing, | suppose.
"rrUc enou H. was the rcIly, "what is
to be done now? must turn back, sus-
pcct."
NO" sid Fanny. at isn't safe for you
to go back now. If you have no objection
to sitting by the kitchen fire, think can
arrange it
"Am to see Bertha?"
"Yes," said the oirl, with smile at Rol-
and's eugerness, 81 will show you into the
kitchen and you must wat until the way
/ is clear and then come in.
Roland readily consented to this arrange
ment and Fanny accordingly passed
around the house and admitted him to the
kitchen, where he seated himself by the
/ stove.
"Will you care ifI leave you alone for a
/ little time ?" she asked, after seeing him
comfortably seated. 81 will go around by
| the front door and ontor that way. Bertha
must know you are hero, of course"
"Certainly," sad Roland. 81 shall not
( be lonely in this pleasant ROOM"
! To tell the truth, 7 land was glad of the
opportunity thus offered to be alone. He
/ did not, however, make much headway in
/ solving the problem he desired to CO.. slider,
for he could not help but hear the CONVEX
sation in the adjoining room.
! He was both startled and surprised, in n
J very few moments, to hear Eugene enter
the sitting-room,