The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-03-03
THIBODAUX, LA, SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1888.
n acknowledgment of her courteous ws,.


, in acknowledgement of her courteous VEL
come.
''Oh, thank you. sir!'' she returned g,
am quite recovered; but. alas! the poo,
coachman is likely to suffer from his wounds
for months to come"
After few minutes conversation. James
Dalton rose to depart, more than ever i'm.
pressed by the pleasant manner and hand,
some face OF the young woman whose life he
had saved. ''e ''-' Ae
Can ask great favor, Mr.. Dalton2" she
asid' as ne leaned carelessly against the
mantel in front of the open fireplace.
Her voice was sunk to almost q whisper.
Command me, he replied.
PLEASE come away from that mantel."
He obeyed, wonderjngly.
''What is it. madam"
~ am surrounded by evil companions. "
she said, trembling, ''and would escape
them, If could, but I am helpless! There
ore those upstairs, just above us, who do
not dream that would dare to confide to a
stranger their secrets. but. if you will meet
me ut twelve tomorrow noon, in the Wait
nS,room Of French's Hotel New York. 7
Will tell you something which will be Of
great service to you, and a lasting benefit to
me-"
James Dalton gave the young woman a
quick, searching ghnce, aud replied. in
equally low tones:
II will be there!'
A noise as of the dropping Of some article
upon the floor above caused Miss Van Duyne
10 start.
'Our interview must end!" she said. II
am expected upstairs"
''Are there any other women in this
house, madame?" he asked, sharply, as the
sound struck upon his ear
Zone" replied Miss Van Duyne, humbly.
and her eyes sought tue carpet.
''Only one7"
| THAT is oil"
'Tou are sure7"
PGn5i'yey nn seG donh. am speaking the truth
Her voice tremblsd, and her eyes were
moist with tears
"Will you keep the appointment you have
just madc?" she asked.
II will"
The following day, as the hands OF the
City Hall clock indicated the hour of twelve,
James Dalton stood at the entrance OF
Frenchs Hotel with Miss Van Duyne.
She was heavily veiled and dressed in
sober black.
The day Was dismal. and the drizxline
ram fell fteadily. There were few persons
IN :: waiting. room of The hotel.
Mr.. Dalton accompanied the young wo-
man TO seat in one corner, and placed him.
self beside her, directing her to proceed with
her story
>. Il have little to tell you, sir" murnured
Siiss Van Dnyne through her veil, ..but, lit
tie ss it is, would not diyulge it in that
house, for every word might have been over
beard, and that would have been death to
me The house you were in is resort for
thieves"
This Intelligence was not half GO startling
as the listener had anticipated.
There are q number Of men living there
whose sole occupation is the robbing of the
wealthy continued the beautiful woman.
~ am, by the force of circumstances, COM
PEELED to live among them, for have had
no other homo since my mother died"
Tears trickled down her silken cheeks and
dropped upon her heaving bosom. eff
could only get away from them!' she sighed.
"Have you any relatives among those
men?" asked James Dalton, thinking, per-
haps, Of the keen-eyed man
"Yes-a brother!" sha moaned. '.Poor.
wicked creature!'
"Ahr' exclaimed James Dalton. s.Will
you assist in bringing those thieves to JUS
tcey'
She shook her head
II cannot-oh, cannotr' she said. "All
l wish IS to escape from them, and my pres
ent mode of life. 1 am in danger Of being
arrested should anything happen!'
'Are they men who would commit any
worse crime than robbery; say-suuyders'
the artist suddenly asked.
The woman started perceptiblY.
"Why do Won ask?"
els not the question proper"
''Yes but"
Her agitation almost choked her utter.
ance, and she paused abruptly.
''Probably had no right to ask you that
question, Miss Van Duyne. Excuse me.
But do you really wish to get away from
your present abode!"
"Ah, have long prayed that might"
"Then there is but one course to pursue
you must not return again."
But where shall go?
Il will secure place for you, and see
that you are not hnrnled."
She gave low, glad cry.
ooh, thanks, thanks! You are 50 kind,
Mr.. Dalton"
His hand was pressed with such fervor as
to send the blood coursing madly through
his veins
''If you will come with me-will trust
me, Miss Van Duyne, will soon have you
safely lodged in plain, but pure home"
She placed both hands tremblingly, eau.
tiously in his.
Il trust you implicitlyr' she mu.mured.
CHAPTER XVI.