Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-08-27

| "Why should be?" she asked, "her father
knows best"
YES. Nan; that is it, You see Edith is
in trouble, and so is her father. They have
TO hide away from wicked men. Would you
help them if You cculd?"
"I?" repeated Nan, in affected wonder.
"Yes, Nan; you.
How can do that2"
by keeping silent about what you have
seen. How would you like to leave here,
Nan? to go away across the ocean, away
from the big, bad city, and the placs where
He faltered. She had slowly raised her
eyes to his face. Glowing from curiosity
to intelligence. from intelligence to an i'm
tens " that thrilled him; those eyes held
him speechless under the tb.all of some
inexpIicable expression in her glance.
Where? what?" she demanded, sharply.
Where your father was-killed.
He mistook the fierce maniacal light
which famed in her face for q memory of
| the past. 1t died away SO quickly that he
| never suspected how nearly the wanderer
had come to betraying herself.
10 leave here, she murmured. 10 go
| with Mr.. Leslie and"
"Yes, Nan, and something more.
what is that?"
@To have money, and jewels, and fine
dresses, and pleasant home"
If tie delight which danced in her eyes
was simulated, she was capable OF the mcss..
perfect acting.
aI would like to do that" she said.
eagerly.
and say nothing to anybody about our Sc
crets.
| "When?"
"In day or two. You must return now
to where you found me last night, and if
you see Mrs. Leslie, keep quietabout Edith.
Il want to go to the quarry first, said the
wanderer.
what for?"
@To bid my friends good-by."
mo. no, Man," cried Warren, in some
alarm. "You must not tell anybody you
are going"
The girl laughed gleefully.
"Oh, did not mean the people,"
@What then?"
THE rocks and the waters, and the grass
and the BIRDS
"Well, then, return soon," replied War
rem. satisfied from her words that what
Leslie believed of her demented mind was
warranted by her conduct and conversation.
She hurried from the old water-side
house, humming careless air, leaving
Warren and Leslie engaged in confidential
conversation.
Once clear of the place, and past pos
sible range Of vision from the structure, she
changed her careless walk to fast gait, and
| the simple, vacant face became singularly
resolute and serious.
There was little park in her course, and
she entered it. sought sequestered seat,
and became absorbed in fit Of the deepest
meditation.
She sat silently engrossed in the most
profound thought for some time. The mo-
bile features were susceptible of expressing
a rare depth of emotion and sentiment lit
tie suspected by Elmer Warren.
As if revolving in her mind all the details
of the subject which interested her, the
wanderer seemed at last to have arrived att
| definite conclusion OF her future Course
GA mystery cleared, single clew TO
prove, she murmured, as she rose and left
the place at rapid gait. The case will
soon be ready-justice and revenge COM
plete."
She glanced searchingly around her as
she gained street given over to merchants
who dealt in second hand clothing
Whatever her plans, they evidently in
volved visit to one of these establish
lishments. for she scanned the interior and
exterior of the various stores as she passed
them, finally entering one of them.
The proprietor regarded her lily clad
figure disrrustfully, but. as she took
pocketbook from the bosom Of her dress
and removed from it several bills, his man
ner became more attentive and COM
plaisant
You wish to buy some clothing?" he
asked, insinuatingly.
Yes"
aFor vourself2"
For myself; but, for all that male attire.
Plainly, wish to obtain a disguise, and
am willing to pay you for the trouble of
fitting me out properly"
Her purchases made, o visit to the little
back apar ment of the store to arrange her
new garments consumed quite a little
time. When at last she reappeared, the
bundle of her former apparel under her
arm, even the storekeeper stirted at the
strange change in her appearance.
! Metamorposed into presentable young
man, Wild Mans tawny face and short
curly hair did not betray her real sex, and
the merchants surprised eyes told her that
she need have no fear Of being recognized
in her real identity.
She left the store and repaired to a dis.
tant portion of the same street. Disap-
pearing in large public building. she soon
| 1CAuiAGQ ~ lIi0 bbItcls uittluR ucI Duu-
de in some room of the place.
"Only one clew, she murmured as she
| left the SPOT, except what suspect, what
I know. The place-the Alhambra.
The name suggested rather precarious
mission, for the place mentioned was a
| saloon and lodging house, located in the
very worst portion of the city, and fire.
| quented by thieves and gamblers Of the
| lowest description.
But when she reached the place she did
not hesitate to enter it. She paid no at
tention to the curious, staring loungers,
but advanced to the bar threw down sill
yer piece, called for glass Of wine, insist
| ed on the bartender drinking with her,
and then asked in low, cautious tone Of
| voice:
"Is Rivers here?"
The man started and regarded her sus-
| piciously.
do you know him? Are you friend Of
his?" he asked quickly.
YES"
The man hesitated but finally said in
reply:
See here. stranger. if you're one of the
boys, oil right If not, and you are acting
for the police, take care, for your life is in
danger.
Il have some news for Rivers, which will
please him." replied the disguised wan
derer.
He needs it bad enough. for he is in
hard luck. replied the bartender. 4Up
those stairs, the last door back. knock
three times, for Rivers is wanted, and he's
prepared himself to fight if the police try
| to nab him."
Nan proceeded in the direction indie ted
by the bartender, up the stairs as he had
been directed, and gave the triple knock.
A gruff voice asked:
Who's there?"
| "a friend"
The door was unlocked, and pair of
fierce, suspicious eyes regarded Nan in
auiringly.
What do you want2" their possessor
demanded.