Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-06-19
CHAPTER TT

| CHATTER IL.
| l obeyed Miss Cleabyrn's Injunction not
| to follow her, though | wished to restore
the watch and chain she had left with me
| but l strained my gaze in the direction she
| had taken. In the continued believing of
| the wind and through the driving rain it
was difficult to hear or see anything, even
| when close at hand; yet | tancied | could
| hear her footsteps as she reached the lane,
which was at the foot of the railway bank
and could see her. Yes again | heard
footsteps; but surely they were not hers
and the vague, shadowy glimpse of form
I | obtained was not Beatrice Cleabyrn, and
Il might be confused by the rain; but if
not there were two others.
| 1t was in vain to strain my sight any
| longer could see and hear no more, so
| | returned to my duties and in the morn
| ing might almost have persuaded myself
that all had been a dream but for the pres
ence of the articles which Miss Cleabyrn
| had left with me.
| felt at liberty, and indeed felt bound to
take my mother into the secret, as her
| house would probably be the place of ref
uge for the Captain but did not tell her
all have now said. She was not informed
of what | well knew was the true reason for
Miss Cleabyrn seeking me out and intrust-
| ing me with so dangerous a secret.
|
| The old lady, who was a confirmed stu
dent of the newspaper, and had long been
| interested in the fate and fortunes of the
| Captain, was glad to have the chance of be-
ing of service to him, and arranged at
once where he should sleep. We had not
much choice, our cottage being but of four
rooms.
| My mate told me, when | went on duty,
| that it was rumored at the Chequers that
T
hood for certain, and would be caught,
worse luck 1t was impossible that he
could get away, there was such lot on the
| lookout for him. Ireturned some indiffer-
ent answer, for, of course, could not tell
! him how terribly could have corroborated
| his tale. l could, however, and did, echo
his last wish at leaving, that the officer
might beat all his enemies.
1t was again soaking wet night the
wind had gone down, SO that the rain did
not drive as on the previous day, and there
was no violence in the downpour, but it
was steady and drenching enough. The
usual passenger and goods trains had
| passed, and | grew nervous with expect
ancy. No idea had been given me as to
when Captain Laurenston would make his
appearance; but could not help thinking
| it would be about the same time as my
| visitor had come on the previous evening,
and | was right.
| | took the precaution 10 turn my lamp
| down little, so as to diminish the light
| for there was no knowing what eyes might
| be on the watch, and | was standing at the
entrance to nay hut, striving to pierce the
| darkness, when | was startled by two fig
ures coming suddenly before me. | knew
| them. They entered. and I closed the door.
| THANK heaven you are safe so far, Os-
Lei, lal
| of course" and know you can contide in
! our friend Waitress, so trust you are out
of the tolls"
Yes" said the Captain, turning to me
and grasping my hand. l knew him by
| his voice and by Miss Cleabyrn's words
| but had we met casually assuredy should
I not have recognized him. His glossy nous
rache and full whiskers were gone, while q
! light wig hid what was left of his dark
curls. & know can trust him." he said
a. knew it the first time l saw his face
But leave me now dearest; it will only be
for time, a short time, ere we meet again
! Thank our friend Waitress, and let us say
farewell"
Miss Cleabyrn offered her hand-there
was such queer thrill in my own veins as
/ touched it, such recalling of past days
land she said few words expressive ol
her gratitude. These were only few; but
with her soft voice in my ears, and the
sight of her now swimming eyes before
me, / would have dared death in her serv.
ice.
She then threw her arms around the
Captains neck, and stroye to frame fare
well, but broke down terribly, SO that for {
minutes she was hysterical, and dreaded
lest she might scream aloud, and thus give
the alarm to any chance traveller, or, Il
might be. any concealed watcher. But she
recovered herself as quickly as she hac
broken down, dashed the tears from hel
ewes, gave one passionate kiss and then flee
into the darkness.
my poor dear girl" said the Captain
with some hesitation in his voice, as ht
gazed after her :" feel that ought to hav,
gone with her, and yet / know it would
have been madness We were traced here
Waitress, for all know the watch upor
me has been very close"
told him how fancied had seen two
persons when Miss Cleabyrn had left my
, box on the previous night.
YES he said, with smile; JOINED
her at the foot of the bank. But you mus
have good eyes"
Iexplained that he misunderstood me
that thought had seen two persons follow
the lady. although, in such storm and il
the darkness, it was impossible 10 be Ger
, tain. He was good deal disturbed a
, hearing this, being evidently at once con
WINGED that my suspicious were wei
. founded.
He had not been long in my hut, and W
were talking about the oest method of frs
concea.ing him and then getting him away
when l suddenly stoppedin my speech ant
, listened at the door.
what is the matter p asked Lauren
/, ston.
Il heard step of some one walking
| round the box / returned; and an
sure there is man on the rails. No on
has any business there at this time"
In another instant low whistle wa
: heard.
: "They mean mischief said you ar
. Gagged! These men are following you.''
The Captain turned pale and thrust hi
hand into his breast.
|, j guessed he had some weapon concealed
! there, so l exclaimed I" That will not DO
J Here! There is just but one chance: pu
; on this coat and cap" They were thos
/ left BY nav mate. "Quick p | cried. /" cal
hear them comingl Now sit down an,