Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-01-26

thcuf Huu ulu not place tho matter in tho
hands Of dotectivoi How is It you deal
with me personality In other words, how
canc You here, and what do You want with
moln
As no asked hcr this no turned suddenly
and sharply around and looked her full in
the face.
Tho question wns perfectly natural; but
the effect was cxtraordh,ary, and had no
not been In tho mood that rendered him
proof against SURPRISE Fairfax would have
cvnccd this.
Lydia gaspcd. shranlS back upon her scat
ami, under the keen scrutiny Of those
searching cycs, became crimson, thon pale,
and In her confusion II seemed 10 her that
the quiet, strong face gazing 30 fixcdly into
hors seemed 10 read all; that those resist
less eyes pierced 10 hor worry souls depths
and caught its inmost secrets, and seemed
TO say; Whatcvcr your answer, know all.
She stammcrcd out brcathlessly, in a tor
riiicd, shame-faccd manner;
"If you know all, why do you aslSlr
"Ah," replied he, mistalSing the meaning
Of her answer, but still failing TO compre-
hcnd the cause Of her confusion, ''ycs, do
know ALL"
She hid her face in her hands to conceal
nor feeling Of shame. He could have no re-
| spcct for her now; snd-horribic thought
In asking this discomposing question OF his,
Fairfax had bccn nctuated only by desire
TO learn what was publicly known about the
abduction OF the Princess-if his accom-
| pliccs had been discovered; IL others, be-
sides Lydia, knew Of his guilt and where
abouts; or II she only had gained the secret.
he had madc no accusation at all against
her; and was, therefore, taken aback and
completely mystificd by this behavior What
DID she meant He could not stop TO reflect.
He was resolved upon this plan.
His future, at any rate was ruincd-so no
took IL for granted. Still he would make
the best Of circumstances. He would So
cure Lydia as shield TO protect, from the
shafts Of justice, Dick and his other accom-
plices. He continued.
"Now, will tell you all about II. You
know"
''stopln sho cried, bescechingly. She
lad become desperate. "Stopl Mr.. Fair.
fax. must explain myself You sav you
know all You do not. am not the bold
creature you believe me-"
Fairfax listened with growing astonish- |
mcnt Lydia continued:
'Some time after Natalie's disappear |
ancc, singular dream awakened In my |
mind an unpleasant suspicion. / drove Il |
away, time and again. But, time and |
again, II returned. A brief conference |
with Louvait the French detective, only |
confirmed my belief that ,h;1 upvelcomo |
visitor was right in demanding entertain |
mont But on such slight grounds, how /
could bring accusation against an individ- |
ual whom supposed not only gentleman
but man Of snccrity-one of tho class
which my experience, as rich woman
with hatterers and sycophants has led me
hitherto to believe either fictitious or do
functi could not do IL; and yet that sus-
pcion refused TO be put down. There was
but one resort LETT mc-cither TO prove II,
or disproye IL; and that by myself, alone.
OIL do not then think II boldness or shame
lessncss that led mo over the sea In this un-
womanly manpcrn
Fairfax listened in wonder. Did she
really mean that she had done this TO shield
himi Was 1t possible that, after all, Dick
was right
Turning toward her again, he abruptly
asked:
came TO America wishing to prove my inno-
ccnccln
81 do" answered she, fearlessly, and
looking unfiinchingly into his cyes
Fairfax, seeing that the girl was very
highly wrought-up and keonly felt the dis
grace and awkwardncss Of her position. re-
solved TO comfort her. Besides, he was NOR
tai and could scarcely rcprcss a secret fcel-
ing Of cxultation over the fact that he, tho
man OF humble fortune had, 10 such an un-
suspected extent aroused tho interest Of
the greatest ''catch" in England.
You are mistaken said he, 81 do not
consider you bold or shameless. IL Is
who am disgraced; who have ruined my
reputation in the eyes Of two lovely women.
And yet am not tho abandoned wretch Won
must think me. told you the truth at that
fatal ball at the Marchioness'. never had
seen the Princess before that evening.
about sundown. ! saw hcr-and II you viii
have II loved her. The whole thing was
an affair OF but q moment. You think she
has suffered and been unhappy / do no..
l believe she has never been happier since
her brothers death. never troubled her
until to-day, when she discovered who l
was, and, naturally, was indignant CT learn
ing my course Of duplicity She is the love.
lest, pure5t and most angelic being on
earth"
AYE that she is ~ warmly added lydia.
without the least tingo Of jealousy
''Of course" he went on 10 say. II have
promised 10 free her, and think you must
have been sent hero by merciful p-oyi-
dence 70 take her back / shall put her In !
your sole charge. The steamer by which she
came is still in New York, but will tele-
graph the captain 10 stop here for YOU.
You will not refuse 10 take charge Of her,
viii yol" said he, looking up inquiringly.
81 have failed after risling literally every
rhing. l even borrowed a large sum in
order TO carry out my plans II have moth
ing else 10 work for, shall at least strive
TO repay that. You do not know that am 4
poor and professionlessf
II know it all" replied Lydia, quietly.
81 know all about you.n
"How," asked he, in surprise.
She answered simply;
II have been at your home"
"Ah, then you arc the lovely Miss earns
fordi"
Lydia blushed
Fairfax looked at the girl She certainly
must be a remarkable woman 10 have
undertaken such an crrand as she declared
she had come upon. Next TO his own Prin-
cess she was, assuredly, the finest woman
no had ever seen.
She felt his scrutinizing gaze. and became
visibly embarrassed. BY no means was
her regard for this man yet gone
81 aslI Of you one moro fayor,r he con
tlnued. II shall not see the Princess again
at least, 70 speak with her. Will you tell
her-that II her suspicious are aroused rs
70 my cOnfcdcrates In the deed. request
her too keep them 20 herself II Justice
must be satisfied, l myself win appear alone
and suffer any penalty that may free the
others. But feel quite sure that she will
llvulgo not oyon the name OF the steamer
hat brought her hero and takes her back 10
Franco; and l think the Lady Lydia Is stiu
friend enough to stand by me in keeping this
request herself"
you may depend upon me-" said Lydia. v
holding out her ungloyed hand, and placing v
IN Fairfax's in gign Of friendship. h
Here Fairfax stopped the horse. They h
yero az the entrance 10 Eld-Field. Ii
Handing tho rcins 10 Lydia, he said: o
III you want my assistance, send a note <
VoF 10 the rotfuVp voudqr v.fhor, .,,-- ....... a