River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-01-19


than by the merest accident
Turning to Dick, Fairfax heayed a sigh,
with the after remark;
My friend, all is complete-eUery thing.
Only the Intervention of Heaven, now, can
defeat my plans"
Then, for the first time, Oxford's curl
osity as TO the schemes Of his friend were
satisfied.
He had made up his mind, whatever might
be their character, not 10 betray the slight
est emotion on learning them; and to do him
justice, Outwardly he evinced no sign of the
dismay that overwhelmed him as he listened
10 the outrageous project of his mad friend.
Although his heart sank within him, he
made no remark at first. Fairfax watched
him keenly, 10 observe the effect Of his own
words.
Finally, with a gravity wholly unwonted
and an impressive seriousness, all the more
effective because unusual, Oxford turned to
Fairfax, and said:
II promised to be with you in whatever
you undertook. will keep my word if you
insist upon IT, 1t is not too late even yet, for
you to fOrego this unfortunate affair. /, my
self, think it unnecessary, extremely I'm
practicable and dangerous, and, frankly,
idiotic as well as wicked
Not a line moved in his hearers impassive
countenance.
That extraordinary individual had consid-
cred the entire matter in all its actual and
possible relations and contingencies; had
become excited TO an unnatural and ex-
tremely unreasonable pitch of mind, and
was resolved that nothing should deter him
from his undertaking.
Although somewhat startled at the sound
advice and solemn words of the hitherto
light-hearted Richard. and realizing, for IA
moment, the folly of his prospective deed
and the long list Of misfortunes and evils
that might follow in its train, he immediate
" steeled himself against the weakness of
the moment, and was once more the man of
answering purpose and iron will
This man, Dick, must be won again. ]
am fast losing my hold upon him and must
regain it and make it stronger. No half
hearted work will suffice at this late date"
was his silent self-reasoning.
Beginning in that plausible, seductive and
irresistibly attractive manner of his, he
gradually overcame Dicks conscientious
scruples; dulled his common-sense, appealed
10 his adventurous spirit, and thus began to
arouse his tagging interest in the matter.
Oxford, poor fellow although realizing
that his friend was about to embark upon a
very crazy and cowardly enterprise, was
vet unable TO resist the extraordinary influ-
ence which this strange man welded over
him, and, step by step, yielded TO the mighty
viii Of the latter; until, once more, Fairfax
had most Jealous advocate in Richard.
About noon, with lazy cape, Fairfax re-
marked;
" Let US 60 out and watch for those
heavy villains They must be near at
hand"
There soon appeared three strange men,
carelessly sauntering down the road. SO
completely had they disguised them
selves that the two watchers were uncer-
tain as TO their identity. However, as they
approached nearer, it was not difficult to
recognize the tones Of each voice.
The arch-eonspirator took the two seamen
aside and enlightened them as 70 the part
they were to play. They appeared TO be
wide-awal5e characters, capable of : hazard
Gus feat Of any kind. They readily entered
into the spirit of the occasion and consid-
cred the affair as jolly kind Of a lark.
Meanwhile Richard-who had been thor
oughly instructed-in mysterious and melo-
dramatic tones, was initiating his valet into
the nature of the duties which were to fall
upon him.
After some time spent in writing, Fairfax
examined the vehicle and found it in excel
lent condition. The harness also seemed
strong One trace was a little worn, and,
with an extra tug, might give way.
piece Of stout cord quickly remedied this
defect. The horse appeared to have entirely
recovered from his long journey Of the
night before.
one thing the anxious observer did not
like. A heavy black bank of clouds was
rising in the southwest-a low, dilatOry
mass Of vapOr that clearly betokened an ap-
preaching storm. Still, he thought il would
- 4. .fk. & L.
expectations and plans
He went to the roadside to watch. Be
tween three and four, he saw, away in the
distance, up TIC rosd, a carriage approach
ing. Il conts med Dimitri and Catherine, en-
route, no doubt, to make preparations for Ma
talie who then could not be far behind them.
His heart began 70 quicken its beats
when he distinguished a horse gallop-
ing down the highway. Although strain
ing his eyes he could see but one,
and on that steed rGde the Princess.
He held his breath rs she dashed by like
the wind, both steed and rider carrying
themselves superbly.
Again he felt the same inexphcable mis-
givings, the same mysteriously prophetic
warning, and again he flung aside the
/ emotion. The deed was begun and, were
+ the heavens to fall. must now be donel
/ But how is it that he beheld but one horse
T vomans Where was Lydisi Alas! miles
/ away CT q wild-goose errand.
/ Ere leaving Paris, Fairfax had left
+ sealed and unaddressed eRgslOpe in the
+ hands of one Of the Herald clerks, with IN
I straetions 70 mail il 70 a given address IN
/ America, II no message 10 the contrary was
T received, within FIVE days.
/ IF, however, you get telegram bearing
/ the word send ask message-boy 10 carry
/ it to the nearest telegraphic station"
/ His instructions were followed TO the
very letter on receipt OF the message that
/ Roger had taken 70 the Dol telegraph station
the previous evening, Fairfax envelope was
{ forwarded 20 its intended destination. The
telegrapher who opened it found written
in woman's hand, apparently, telegram
7 TO this effect:
Lady Lydia, Chateau Dor. village Of y,
1 Cote-du-NOrd. Meet me at Dol. four O'Clock.
BLANCHE HAYWOOD"
This explains Lydia's absence. For, on
receiving the telegram. she dashed OF a
nasty note Of regret 70 Natalie, ordered her
oarouche and fastened to meet her aunt at
Z NJ