The Red Cloud chief., 1878-01-31

provoking GOODNESS. Then. sternly.
go your way. and remember that a
blow upon the head and a plunge in
the river do not always Kill. my friend"
Livid, gasping. bafred.. Yet uncon-
WINGED. Rath made ! final appeal.
alma, can YOU acknowledge this
fellow in Elmer's sieads'
Her calm gaze met his steadily.
Il know him To be Elmer. As If !
could he deceived
And one might not think it wise in
you. Of all men. 10 doubt my identity
cut in her companion, grimly.
But doubt il l,ath did, and in the
long watche, Of the night which fol-
lowed, he studied out an explanation of
all which seemed most mysterious to
himself by Mobiles name knew all that
had transpired at the mill that fatal
evening; he had been there. an unsus-
pected witness Of his crime. He was
making use Of his knowledge for his
own ends. but he, Rath, would not be
outdone by a scheming villain like him
self. The same means which proved
successful in the others hands might
win for him vet.
When he presented himself again AT
Miss Erruth house he was refused adj
mission. \ week had not gone by un-
| til he learned that a quiet wedding was
on the tapis there, and with all the bit
terness of his vindictive nature he fol-
lowed the course he had alrcad decided
upon.
. On the morning Of the wedding he
was there again, with 4 companion this
time, and forced his way past the hest
tatinp servant a. one who had a right.
He sent 4 penciled demand to Alma,
which she answered by appearing upon
Mobiles arm.
You would not believe my word re-
garding this impostor. Perkins. my
man, tell your story 10 this lady as you
have already told ii To me"
Perkins was a most disrcputable
specimen of the genus tramp. by his
look, and, thus abjurcd. he repeated his
lesson with glib and thorough hardi-
hood. He had been fishing from the
bank opposite the mill, had witnessed
the alteration of two men within the
structure, had seen one strike the other
n blow, and fling him along with the
falling platform, into the river. The
man before him was the murderer; he
was ready to swear to it, and for proof,
why, there was the body yet at the bot
tom of the river.
land. ugly business as it is resum-
ed Rath, with ill-concealed triumph,
the bridegroom must be arrested on his
bridal morn. You need not look about
you with the thought of escape, sir /;
there are officers without prepared to
take you in charge"
First let me rectify one slight mis-
take you have made" said the person
addressed, with admirable GOODNESS.
Il am not the principal intended for
this happy occasion; allow me TO pre-
sent to you the bridegroom, Elmer
Noble. in all reality"
He threw open the doors as he spoke,
disclosing the wasted, shadowy sub
stance of one whose identity Rath could
not dOubt-a figure reduced by illness
and suffering. with bandaged forehead.
and rcproachful eyes turned upon that
false friend and would-bc murderer.
That will do" resumed the speaker.
do III lVit lie YIN hiiu ittS ""aN
u the real Elmer 5 side, while MI Rath's
Bfazen %effronicry was not enough To
sustain him in the event of this unfOre-
seen event. I'VE have got the better
of your little game, Mr.. Rath, and the
sooner You get out of this with that
wretched tool of yours-his face will
hang him yet, l say it as a prophecy
the better it will be for you.
They skunk away at his bidding, an
equally despicably and thoroughly dis
gusted pair.
Who was the pSsudO-NOble. do you
ask? In after years, Mr.. and Mrs.
Noble numbered among their most in
innate friends q certain wcll-known
actor who was thoroughly conversant
with that affair. This was the true
angler of the day who had rescued
Elmer, and assumed the role when
Rath's persecution of Alma promised
to grow uncomfortable. and while his
victim was still s&evenly balanced be-
tween life and death there was no tell
ing which way the scale would turn.