The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-08-10

| tened TO notnlng. A tear trlcklod down
her pale cheeks. ''Pshaw! I'm not
such baby; all will be right yet"
| She sat in the boat until the lights in
the different departments of the hotel
gradually disappeared, and was just
about to rise and return to the house,
when figure. coming down the path
toward her, induced her to retain her
seat. The figure proved to be that of the
young merchant, Mr.. Van Haven. Mat
tie had always been attracted by the
handsome face and winning manners of
the gay New Yorker, and rather enjoyed
his society than otherwise. So she re-
ma;ned seated until he took his place by
her side.
Lets row out upon the lake." said
Van Haven, without an unnecessary
"Good evening"" as he raised the oars
and pulled gently from the shore, ut
is very quiet night, and we shall not be
disturbed Most of the folks have re-
tired. We must move cautiously"
"Why?" questioned Matte, rather sur.
prised at the remark.
"Why! Do you want to betray your
self"
"Betray myself! Why, what are you
talking about, Mr.. Van Haven?"
just then the moon, which had been
shining on his back, fell upon his face,
and revealed q couutenance with an I'M
usually strange expression, and to the
great establishment Of Matte, that her
companion was asleep. Van Haven had
been known to walk in his sleep and per-
form q great many marvellous feats while
in that condition; and Matte Harris her.
self had happened to meet him once
while enjoying somnambulistic ramble.
She was not at all frightened by the dir
found herself placed, but somewhat as
tonished; and, being a young lady Of
good deal Of mischief, and possessed of
she determined to let her companion
continue on his nocturnal excursion.
"What are you talking sbout?" re-
peated Matte, her saddened features
giving place to an amuced smile.
"You know well enough what am
talking about, Jim. We must secure it
to night. It may be found where we
have hidden it, and that would be the
last of us. That letter was sharp thing
OF ours, wasn't it? tremble lest Lacy
should be cleared, though, then suspi-
cion would seek some other party. So
we'd better find other quarters as soon
as we can possibly do so without causing
any comment upon it; and, of course, we
will not let the money remain where it
is now"
At the mention Of Lacy's name and
"money," Mattie's mind, which for the
past week had been invariably coupling
those words together, caught eagerly at
the suspicion thus aroused; and her very
frame shook as the light of great dis
closure suddenly flashed upon her. She
had found one Of the guilty parties con-
cerned IN the bank robbery. and could.
liherate her lnverl = -~.se, s..sg-
The discovery was almost too much for
her. A dim mist suffused her eyes. She
clutched eagerly the side Of the boat.
But she soon recovered the first shook,
yet did not permit herself to speak. she
trembled 80 violently.
Van Haven continued:
eve must leave tomorrow; don't you
think so?"
EYES," ventured Matte. "Now let's
be quiet, for fear We should be heard"
IAN right"
They moved slowly and noiselessly
across the ripping waters of the lake,
until they reached the opposite shore.
The woods hung dsrkly over the tran
| quill depths, and all Was quiet. Van
Haven tied the boat to sapling and
stepped ashore, followed silently by Mat
tie. He led the way to . dense thicket
Of underbrush, pausing moment to as
| sure himself that they were alone. Hav-
| ing satisfied himself at this point, he
took few steps forward and cautiously
raised large stone. Under it lay q
casket. He picked it up and replaced the
stone.
"I'll carry it." said Matte with avidious
eagerness, feeling confident that IL abe
once got possession Of the stolen money
all would be we'll with her.
Every we'll, said the omnambulist. and
conalgned the caskst to her keeping.
Nov let MS get to the boat again, aud
We will flnish the arrangement Of our
plans - We cross over for Orrville."
Matte considered il : n liter Of pru-
dencs to agroe, and followed her sleeping
compaEion 70 the lake. He took his sest
| In Tho boat and loossned the chain from
The sappling, snjoining biz associAts TO
maintAin perfect slleuCe until they ohould
b ont On >he hke. He soemed 70 thiuk
That ~ ~ veil. and allowed % from ths
lhoeo.
Matte stood In the moonligtt. and
washed he boat and The solitary oazs'
man until both wsrs oouceolod within
he dork shadow Of The mountain, b.