The Russellville Democrat., 1881-01-20

' and your errand at C," persisted the lad. "You are Mir. Sharrard, and you go to take possession of that pretty estate, The PinesY congratulate youl l know every foot of this country, and there is no better arabic land in this valleyn
 Now, l was naturally curious about my new possessions, and why should not avail myself of the loquacity of this lad? The buildings are in tolerably good repair?"I said, with assumed indifference
 "Oh, excellent A quaint, old gabled mansion, with barn, etc; and grand old oaks, which 1t has taken one or two cen- turies to ripen. Old Sharrard meant to make a comfortable settlement there for Chesters daughter"
 "Yes, l heard that some little girl had a prior claim to mine. I have some cur iosity to see her.
 Did you meet Ia Baronne' at C.? She is all the talk there now.n
 No" I said. "Why?v
 The lieutenant laughed, then laughed again, maliciously. "They will find out their Baronne before long. Well, well, It's rough world, my masters Are you quite comfortable in it, just now, madam?" suddenly addressing the yelled figure opposite. Gan I open the win dow, or do any thing for you?"
 Nothing, 1 thank you" Was I mis- taken, or did her voice tremble? What had she to do with this Baronne, who, no doubt, as the lieutenant half-hinted was an adventures, after all? A silence fell on us; one of those silences, under which, inexplicably, lie threatening dis asters.
 The coach drew up at low, rumbling inn, before which creaked the sign of a gray horse.
 This is your lodging-place Mir. Shar- rard, said the lieutenant. "sThe Pines lies but mile or two to the south. Mir. Chester's farm is in the neighborhood, and l have no doubt he will show you your property, and also the little girl whose fortune you have taken. An? You alight here, also, madam?' He sprang out, and rendered his hand, with profound courtesy. The lady l descended, and entered the inn. Her figure was light and elegant, and, as she halted in the doorway, the light fell full on her head. She was young girl, a brilliant brunette, with soft, liquid eyes, and mellow crimson on her dark skin l Where was my middle-aged blonde | l This is your valise," said the officer. as bulky portmanteau was swung from the top. Look out, Ben, you nearly cracked my skull. And Mr. Sharrard is dreaming of something p.'ettier than cowskin cases. Yesl there goesa woman l who has bewitched wiser men than us,' 1 tapping me lightly on the breast That" leaning forward and whispering, 'is Ia Baronnep"
 While he spoke, a horseman galloped furiously up the road, shouting: "Stop the coach! Stop tke coach~ Behind him tugged two others, show ing like moving black specks, against the slope of white. Ben, who was buckling in fresh horses, paused, open-mouthed. The ostler stood gaping, with the bucket in his hand. The drowsy landlord came to the door. My young lieutenant laugh ed; he was just at that age, when lad exults in d fGw.
 "The coach is stopped ~ he he called to the horseman. Keep cool, my good man." tapping his boot lightly, as his foot rested on the carpeted step of the coach. Nobody is going on in it but me, and l am waiting your orders"
 The messenger was breathless. While he was slowly getting down from his gigantic horse, the officer leaned closer to me, and spoke in sharp whisper Tt is Ia Baronne' they are after, I'll wager any money She's sharp one, tell you. But see she has horse yon- der, at the back of the house. She ecan escape, if we detain them. What dye say, Sharrard? She's woman"
 I could not speak She, this intangi- ble creature, whom I had so idiotically taken to represent all that was good and worshipful in woman, an adventuress-a swindler!
 While I stood dumb, Perley Mossop gallopped into the inn yard.
 "You here, Sharrard?" with his usual hearty roaro laughter. "You did not ex- pect me to follow you post-haste, eh? But our Baronne turned out paste dia- mond, after all At the reception, it came out that she had forged, and cashed checks, yesterday, on half our leading men, and made off = heaven knows where. remembered the woman in the coach with you, so followed with Per kins, the constable. We have sent out scouts in a dozen different ways. Where is the woman@
 glanced at the back of the house. In the dim light could see female figure, on horseback, going rapidly down the gorge.
 The lieutenants eye was on her. How ready the fellow wasl "The woman?" he said, cooly. "Oh, there was female passenger. She left us at the Cross Keys. Wasn't that the place, Sharrard?"
 "Yes; the Cross Keys" I glanced quickly around, to see if the driver was out of hearing
 CHAPTER ".
 Mossop uttered an oath. And she got into the Winchester pike by that gap" he said. She's on the rail by this time"
 Yes" said the lieutenant, thought fully. That is precisely the route per. son flying from C. would be likely to take. It would be very improbable that