The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-11-11

brought her to the widest part of her
journey, midway between Wildlands
and Bolton.
Immense forest trees on either side the
narrow road, with irregular massive
piles of frowning rocks, gave a somber
look to the spot, which rendered it pecul-
iarly adapted to the marauding villains
purpose. She had just penetrated its
deepest shadows, when her quick, watch
full eye caught sight, for moment, of
some stealthily moving object q short
distance ahead, whether man or beast
she could not decide.
"No. I will not fire even if I should
be assaulted, she hastily thought, with
drawing her hand from the pistol she
had involuntarily grasped. "It might
invite worse"
And with beating heart she slipped
the Ratchet from belt to knee. She was
none too quick. The next instant q
masked man darted from behind the
rocks and seized the horses head. Un-
used to such rough treatment, the high
spirited brute plunged so violently as to
shake off the villains grasp. But, moth
ing daunted, he caught the shaft, and,
in spite Of the speed at which the ami
NAL started forward, he succeeded, with
the ease and dexterity of one skilled in
feats of that kind, in Selling the dash
board with one hand md the body of
the wagon just below with the other
hand. But at the very moment he was
IN the act of springing up the little
hatchet's cleaning edge smote, just at
| the wrist, the hand near her foot and,
| with groan, he sprang or fell back
| ward, leaving on the wagon floor q
CHASTITY proof Of the attack in bleed
ing hand.
It all passed like dream, and, half
unconscious of the shocking reality,
Bessie drove for time wildly and un-
thlnkingly on. But before Bolton was
entered her mind had regained it's usual
activity. Checking the horses mad
career, she suddenly bent down md
wrapped the CHASTITY object at her feet
in u couple of newspapers, fortunately
found under the cushions. Then eras-
ing, as we'll as she could, all evidences
OF her adventure, she proceeded toward
! Bolton, and, in short time, was quietly,
though with pallid cheek, transacting the
business calling her there. That done,
she asked for one of the gentlemen to
whom she was we'll known and related
her story.
Il firmly believe the letter was de-
coy" she concluded, "and also that the
whole Wa, The work of ono individual. I"
"Undoubtedly, and that individual
was no rough, you may rest assnred,'
returned the gentleman.
isCt,I1 ,.,, ! ~ 1,.n
all my intended caution, as VIC may he
mistaken"
You surely will not venture to re-
turn alone to Wildlands ?"
Certainly. My late assa,lant will
have full enough to do to look after his
wonnd, and I have little fears of any
other, as the road is not infested by
iigllway1,en."
The conference continued few mo-
ments longer, and then the matter was
carried to tho authorities. A plaster
cast of the fair, muscular hand, which it
was plainly evident had never graced the
person OF rough, was quickly taken,
and the agent soon at his secret work.
Not many hours later Mr.. Client was
lifting Bessie and her well-flled basket
from the wagon.
" 1 made the purchases, considering
it safer to do So, she remarked; "hut
| suspect time will prove me to have
been needlessly cautious" And she
briefly detailed the events of the morn
ing.
"And what Of thereturn journey ?" he
anxior1sly asked-a deeper shadow on his
face than Bessie thought the occurrence
warranted.
IT met with nothing to alar1n.not a
trace of the villain remained"
As Bessie expected, undisturbel quiet
rcigned night after nj ght.
But one day the little, kcen-eye1
agent made his appearance at Wild
lands, and asked for Mr.. Client. He
seemed uneasy, and made his business
known as quickly as possibly.
We have found our man. SIR he
said, abruptly. "Plcnty Of mother wit
in him, too, or he would not have elulcl
IT'S SO long. But he got pretty low
down, and ventured back to our plco,
and last night at play got into diff
Guilty which ended in bad wound. He
is dying now, sir, and wants to sec
YOU"
"Who is hep" Mr.. Client asked, with
u certain grave anxiety.
II you will excuse me, sir, he begged
me to bring you without telling his
name," the agent returned 1lncasily,
land never refuse the dying"
For one instant they gazed into each
others eyes. It was enough Mr.. Client
went unquestioningly.
He was taken to one of the low dens
in which Bolton abounded, and to the
bedside Of the dying man.
"And SO my secret fears are realized
it is you, Oscar?'' he said, taking the
wan hand the poor wretch feebly and
half doubtingly extended.
I" It is, but don't, don't reproach me !"
he gasped. &c I have enough of that
here" touching his breast. "Too
much too much! All if I could live
over one year of my ife-one little
year p
"That you cannot, my poor Oscar;
but you can"
II know-I have heard it many time
from the preachers, but I don't believe
it. I'm the man my deeds have made
me. The life have loved here I shall
follow there-and I love evil Good
less disgusts me even in the midst OF
tcar!'' And overcome by the cxci1c-
ment he sank back exhausted. Rcviv-
ing little presently he painted
wanted to tell you-I wanted to