Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-01-26


THE GROOM SOON CAUGHT HOLD OF MEDJI's
BRIDEE.
Of female passenger. The yacht. appar-
emily, had come direct from Brest to New
York, where it now lay awaiting Mr.. Neb-
bits orders.
Louvait was silenced, lsut not convinced.
He only was biding his time.
Immediately after his arrival, Fairfax
shaved of from his face every trace of the
thick beard and the mustache that had long
concealed his lips and chin. His appearance
was so completely altered that his dearest
friend would have passed him on the street
as stranger.
His face was somewhat clerical in appear
ance, and yet, withal, had very stern look.
The closely-shut lips, the narrow but firm
jaw, betokened an ambition that the upper
part of tho countenance had hitherto con-
cealed.
On his coming he had found number of
New York HeraldS awaiting him. In each
paper was a message in cipher from the
family of Natalie. He read them all; then
sat down and at once dispatched the follow
ing letter to his captive:
"You are at Bar Harbor, on the island of
Mount Desert, off the extreme northeast
coast of the United States.
'"While you do not abuse, so long you
may use your liberty. Medji, a groom, car
riages, horses, every thing you desire, will
be yours. Your period of Imprisonment
will not be great Escape is and will be i'm
possible. Let that be understood once and JOr
all. If you desire again to communicate
with your family, tell Blanche, delivering
all your letters into her hands. In the New
York HeraldS, from time to time, you will
find genuine messages from your family.
Here are eight copies of that journal, each
containing cipher dispatches from your fam
ily-dispatches that are to be translated as
follows
Then ensued a careful description OF the
key to the cipher.
"Again, let it be said, Fear not. Loving
hands care for you; watchful eyes observe
your every want, and plan for your comfort
and pleasure. Trust, and all will be well. y
This remarkable note was conveyed to the
Princess in company with the herGId'S. She
perused them all, and although greatly per-
picked, was still more comforted by their
contents.
The message from home, while &C
knowledglng the anxiety of the family,
babe her be of good cheer. and all would be
well.
So much did Fairfax trust in this pure
minded, honorable, independent, yet confid-
ing creature, that he determined to allow
her partial, and, eventually, full liberty.
Natalie really began to feel unusually
straint, if such conflicting combination OF
words may be allowed.
There was actually no reason why the
girl should be unhappy. Her father she re-
spected. but certainly did not, and never
could, love. She had no friend eXceptin g
Lydia; and now both Lydia and her own
family had sent her messages of comfort;
told her to worry no more; that they felt
sure of her being in safe hands; that they
haH MESSAGES them
that they doubted not, in good time, she
would return, and that from time to time
they would communicate with her.
Why rhould she then repine. She was
perfectly comfortable; had every thing she
wanted; really enjoyed the novelty of tho
situation; had fallen into pleasant quarters
was enraptured with the lovely and unique
scenery of the place, and doUbly, trebly, in
finitely more than all this, had now some
thing for which to live; something on which
to eXpend her afTection-Dolores.
For the space OF a week matters thus
went on quietly at Eld-Field. The Princess
took her daily walks, drives or rides about
the island; but she was invariably accom-
panied by groom who never lost sight OF
her. Once-aS much for the sake of amuse-
ment 40 to test the watchfulnesS OF this
conpsAion, whose consistency was GROWN g
triue monotonous- she dashed down one
neck speed. But the groom, mounted on a
horse still heeter, soon caught hold OF
Medjrs bride, turned him around, and
made the Princess return home all this
without uttering single word. Quite sat
isfied with the result of her experiment,
Natalie perceived escape, without the assist
ance of others, was impossible. Her posi-
tios oeing so unusually pleasant there was
really no necessity of submitting TO the
modification of disclosing its singClarity 10
any of her neighbors. She wisely decided
TO keep quiet and await the turn OF events.
In fact there was nothing else TO DO.
The frs Sunday after her arrival upon
the island, the Princess attended service at
ST. SGviour's. the pretty and quaint little
village church of stone.
Only a small number of the cottagers and
hotel guests were now remaining. The
others had been taking wing and joining
tho southwark flight. Those few that were
stln constant to their lovely Bar Harbor
were surprised by the melodious voice that
/ sang so sweetly and strongly. CHANGING
furtively toward the rear OF the church,
they beheld face even far more beautiful
and attractive than the marvellous voice.
One OF the male worshippers, during his
! travals abroad, had once seen the Princess