Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-31

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it belongs to give orders-to me to
obey them! But it is time for us to
get on board again"
If Cora grasped the sachel contain
ing her jewels and bonds little more
closely and firmly as she rose to fol-
low her friend, it was rather from an
distinctive impulse, than from any
feeling that she was prepared to an
alyze just then.
There nowi you are safe enough
here !" said Mrs. Daggett, as she as
sisted her portegee to a seat near the
rear door of the car. This thick veil
OF yours makes il impossible for any
one to eaten even a glimpse Of your
face. Now lean back against the side
of the car-so! and try to get little
nap. OF course we would have taken
a sleeping car, had not Cousin Jack
who has had great deal more expert
ence than either of US, you know-be-
lieyed that was the very place where
they would be most likely to look for
us. Jack is forward in the smoking
car, but will be likely to look in pref
" soon, just to see how we are getting
along. When he does SO, I. being in
the front end of the car, will have the
first chance to speak with him, and
will tell him why we have not made
the change he proposed"
The devil himself, as bad as he is,
would be great deal more likely to
keep out of trouble, If it were not fol-
the small blunders he is continually
making, and by strange coincidence,
Mr.. Blivens had on several occasions
suffered in similar way This time.
he stepped off the train at the first
stop it made, and passing around,
came in at the rear door of TIE car il,
which the ladies were seated, and
came straight TO the seat occupied by
Cora.
Smooth sailing SO far, NATL" were
the FIRST words that greeted her ears.
you've done the business up prime,
and no mistake. [ see you've caioled
the precious little idiot to resign sachel
and all to your rdskip-w
the bonds in it, of course!'
For q moment the heart of the girl
beside him seemed to cease It's beating.
She felt as if she must scream, faint,
or IN some way give vent to the tor
rent OF shame, degradation and Ioath
ing that filed her very soul at this I'M
expected revelation Of the perfdy Of
the ma1 whose Establishments had
Iured her fr0ra her lone and parents.
Then With the strength born Of sud-
den determination she controlled her
rising agitation, aud In a scarcely au-
dible whisper, replied:
They're all right Sit nearer, and
speak low, SO that no one may hear
u.s."
you've engineered this little job
from the first IN tip,top style" was the
next comforting assurance. ''And
you shall have your thousand as soon
as get hold of those bonds. [ shall
not attempt to marry the little simple
ton until we get her to Buffalo-then
the spoilers that are after us may
whistle for their game. I'll take her
to place where no one out the devil
can find her, and | don't care how
soon he gets hef after get the trink-
cts and bonds safely out of her reach,
and have placed her in such posi-
ton that she'll not be likely to make
any trouble about it. How prim and
proper the little fool looks down there
at the front end of the car with your
hat and shawl on? Thinking OF me,
| suppose. Well, let her keep her
good opinion as long as she can. Now
III go and flash NY cigar, for it
wouldn't be prudent to speak to both
OF you at one time; then I'll come
back and sit down by her, squeeze her
hand, and assure her again of my un-
dying love and affection. [ only wish
there were ten times as many of those
bonds. It's rough to have to do so
much planning and lying for that
amount Of swag. But by-bye for the
present. I'll just have time to finish
my cigar by the time we reach the
next station"
He passed down the car, unnotIced
by his fellow-conspirat who was
noddlng drowsily, and disappeared in
the smoker, while Cora, drawing her
veil still more closely over her face,
uttered an inau6ible, but fervent and
and fearful,
THANK God!'
Five minutes later, as the train
siackened beside the next station, Mr..
Blivens entered the car from the front
and seated himself beside his suppos-
ed 3Gncee, and at the same instant,
the figure at the rear end rose and
passed quickly into the car behind,
from which, moment later, she
stepped out upon the station platform.
A train, going the other way, was
waiting on the opposite side; within
three minutes Cora was on her way
back TO her home.
The first hour after midnight was
passing drearily away in that sad
nome from which their only child,
the light and life of their household,
had SO suddenly and cruelty departed.
A pull at the door bell was answer
ed and messenger admitted, bring
ing the disheartenipg information
Tat it would be impossible to learn
anything more in regard to the un-
fortunate girl until morning at least,
and the parties had all left the train
about two hours before.
The MESSENGER left and tho meorv