The Springdale news., 1888-11-09

Somehow the young editor could lI5t help asking Risnsel. if he had fallen unda. this bHghting curse. Was he ta be only ouN more victim to the strange mystery of Tar ley Point. Then his ,ycs fell upou the pale. sweet faca of the anxious yirl, and he knew she 'ras no siren. charming hir to destruction. With determination in his voice he said:
 If you say for me to go tonight will so."
 The girl who, during the moments silence had been sitting, her face burning with eagerness, now grew brighter as she re- turned
 :" It must be tonight, Mr Gray; to-nor. row will be too late"
 = How am to go, by the riYe:'!!.
 '' No. on horseback =
 - 1 do Lot know that 1 can get q horse"
 ''0nc will be furnished you
 Then mother short silence cns-cd She seemed waiting 10 gathcrup her thoughts. From her brcathleSs exhaustion it was evi- dent that she had come very rapidly from the great house to the village.
 Her citation became less as she recov- cred from her exertion, and nov she vas almost as much composed as she had ever been. Gazing at mm with intense eager ness. she began giving her instructions.
 - As soon as l am gone" she said, in a clear, steady voice. '' 20 t6 the spring whara you found the locliet. Tne"e you will find q horse saddled and equipped. tied to a tree just back of the old rustic seat He is the best roadster ia the whole country, and will carry gou safely to the end of yoar journey without stopping The poor enid Is deaf and dumb, bat he is vcry patient and will give you little or no trouble. Allen vas dis appointed 10 learn Of the child's alfiietion, for some hoy' he thought the little prattler would, on this long, lonely ride, nnrayel to him some of the mystery of the stone house oil the hill.
 "Where will find the child.'s hc asked
 U2tie the horse and bring him back Q the road which leads Up to the stone house on the hiil. and therc will be an old negro woman waiting for you with the child. When she gives 1t to you, lose no tine in your flight. Do not think this all easy task you arc undertaking, Mi Gray, or that 1t Is unattended with d2ngct. There Is danger oi winch you can have no knowledge. The journeyIs hazardous, and may cost You Fo9f life
 - Danger shall rot deter aa for single moment sad Allen, his bosom heaving with uncomfortable emotions. Il an act ing in a just cause in scrsing you; 1 lino1 1t is right or you would not have imposed the task on me.
 The girl had risen to her feet. and when she heard his noble voice. 50 fall of faith and trust, she extended her hands toward him. while her beautiful face gIowcd with gratitude.
 Thank you, Oh may Heaven reward you for saying thas. had almost come to the conclusion that would never see an- other nan whom I could trust. I all thank ful thatI was il error. and it is with the greatest joy that have put that feeling for ever oat of the Way
 She uncoaseiously seized lis hand, send- ing such thrill through Aliens frame tt the touch that ac seemed electrified.
 .' Bertha Bcrthaa he involuntauly and almost unc2u5cously criel. ,.Wha. is it ali What k al this mystery surrounding you. Forgive my iuquisitircuess. 1 feel as if our d. times ara one"
 :. Hush. hush she cried. starting bac,i and gazing i'll terror at the door. You know net what you say-you can not"'
 "Nou misunderstand me. Bertha,a he hoarscly whispered, while cold fear seemed creeping over his heart almost choking his utteranca. You know not the motive that prompts tho question. It l5 personal in- terest in yourself and not idle curiosity. This mystery is doubtless q family affair which YOU would very properly keep from tho eyes of the world. Again l assure you 'tis not idle curiosity that prompts ne to lift the mystic val; it is that l nay help you n your distress, for-oh, Bertha, I-I-loVe you'9
 What q shrell of horror she uttered and how she shranll trembling from head to foot from him, Then, Wringing her hands in silent a"ony, she gaZed SD wildly tt him that he began to fear she had suddenly been seized by d it of madness. Spell bound and Speechlcss for several minutes both stood glaring at caca other.
 Bcltha-Miss Coihns,' he at last said. in very penitent voice, :. forgive me! Tor get all that have said. l Will serve you without making any further inquiries. and be the cIrald to the grave. l aln ready to go'
 Slowly she opened the door and turning her white sad face toward him, faintly said ::
 sAdicu.a
 "Fareweu@ His voice vas as faint and sad as hers They were parting, perhaps forever, yet she was doubiy dear to hi!n now. That crushing weight upon his heart seemed almost unbearable.
 He wrote q few lines to the foreman, ,leay- ing 5omo instruction: in regard to the bus- ness. stating thlt h. would return in three or four days and then prepared for that mysterious journey.
 CHAPTER XII.
 A LONG DARK RIDE.
 All nacassary arrIngcmcnt5 having boon completed, Allen Gray left his office, and passing through the dark silent village, entered the old. long-deserted turnpike Pausing oa the hilltop he instinctivcly