The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-10-09
CHAPTER XII.

and nearer.
CHAPTER XII
| THE SECRET FOE
Mrs. Corinne Martin was restless in he
| splendid home; she thought of the blacl
eyes of the girl who had watched her 81
knowingly the night of the opera. They
had told her they read her more perfectly
than she wished.
DR.. Marling informed her that they were
boarding at his hotel.
"A rich old ranchman and his prett,
daughter, learn, coming from the plains
originally. But the girls deep one, and
the old mans no fool, in spite of his queer
Western ways"
Have they tried to cultivate your &C
quaintan .e?"
"Oh, yes, and I have theirs. 1 am anx-
ious to know how that girl came 10 know
those private signals"
Cannot you discover"
Not yet; she's a witch. I'd give cool
thousand to know it."
Have you heard aught of my brooch?'
"No; put detective out on the look,
but he has learned nothing as yet. How
came you to wear it SO often? You knew
if lost its secrets might become known"
1T had a charm for me. | trembled
when 1 left it in my jewel case. One of
the powders was in it as well as the
recipe"
"a nice affair, truly, to be throwing
around promiscuously. Do You know
paid the old East Indian five hundred dol
lars for that recipe and an ounce vial of the
powder.
and how much have l paid you?" sar-
castically inquired the widow.
III
guess. But what was it worth to your"
"a Million" smiled the widow. "You
can remember the recipe, can you not?"
"Ies, if need be; but l trust there will
be no further requirements"
Il think there will, replied the widow,
significantly.
You mean this new rival? l object
forthwith. I'll have no risks about her.
She's got too many rich friends, and be-
sides she's too pretty"
Bah! Have you heard from Rick or the
iewels2"
"Not positively, but the two louis I sent
out to look for him managed to get killed, as
l told you. Rick must have been taken
captive by the Indians and tortured to
death. But, Corinne, l have learned some
thing rather startling
what is it,"
that your respected husband died, had q
visitor"
"Who?" exclaimed the widow, her face
paling.
Guess"
"How cruel you arel Not-not Lora?'
The Doctor nodded.
How do you know? What made her
visit him."
That's the mystery. But she did call
upon him dressed in the housemaid S
clothes. One of our spies has learned as
much, and both the detective and Lora have
disappeared"
"Oh, how unfortunate! She must have
suspected something"
Il rather think she did, and if Detective
Day is on your track with a motive, /
wouldn't care to stand il your shoes"
He'd be a fool to undertake such a
senseless affair, and besides what can he
prove? You were an idiot not to consent
to putting her out OF the way. There's no
telling what she's up to. When you go 20
your rooms, if YOU will bring me that ivory
box and those papers to destroy will pay
you the sum you ask"
"A cool hundred thousand?"
"Yes; but you are extremely modest in
your demands, considering that you stole
the papers from me-"
Possession is nine-tent of the law, fair
sister. l will bring them this afternoon.
You can give me checks on the various
banks where your credit is good, it will not
attract SO much attention to have several;
and as / have promised the lovely Miss
Scott to ride with her this afternoon, must
return at once"
The widows eyes flashed angrily.
"On horseback, | suppose"
"Oh, yes; she rides beautifully"
But when the Doctor had departed the
widow summoned to her side q servant
whose faithfulness had been long tried.
Follow him, ascertain the roads he is
likely to take with this girl, and come and
tell me-"
The man bowed and departed. He re-
turned in an hour with the information she
required.
Then his mistress said in a low tone:
Il wish you to manage some way to have
her thrown and killed, if possible. She is
an enemy of NINE"
"She will find the roads bad to- day, Miss
Corinne," said the servant meaningly,
very bad"
Tess Scott kept her own fine horse in the
stables, a little black creature, spirited,
swift, and accustomed to the mountain
roads. But there was one thing Black
Ned abominated, and that was to be cut ever
so lightly with a whip. Tess never at
tempted carrying the offensive article, af-
| frming she respected his naughty dislike,
| and that there was no need, as he obeyed
her voice without q protest or other urging
Very lovely she looked in her dark
green habit and glittering buttons-every
one tiny diamond. She sat her horse
like a native Indian, and threw a kiss
back at her old father, merrily, as they
dashed off.
Il hate like shucks to have her 90 with
that sneakin' villain; but it did seem the
| only way to git him out O. the way jist now,
| an | guess Ned II look after her. Bless
the old boy!"
They rode along merrily, Tess enjoying
the mountain breeze and the purpose she
had undertaken.
They had been absent two hours, when,
as they passed q low growth of mountain
bushes, man stepped forward and dealt
the horse which the girl rode a cruel blow.
Black Ned reared and swerved to the
| right so violently that the saddle girths
broke; then he tore away up the road, leav-
| ing Tess, white -and bleeding, on the stony
| ground.