The Springdale news., 1888-11-09
CHAPTER xI.-CoxT1NuED.

l. was her place to speak and he could only sit and gaze at her. Her white face, however, was troubled, and that iron re- solve which had supported her In this an- timely. and seemInely unladylike. call vas evidently about to fan her in her hour of need Allen at last realized that unless she Was encouraged she might not reveal the purpose of this visit, and with all Iii, sym pathetic soul in his face, he said:
 :. Have no fears, Bertha. for by all I hold saerea I sHear that l will prove brother to Y9u in distress.
 Poor, teupest=tossed Bertha; long had she searched for q loyal heart on whom she cogl1 coufide. In this editors flashing eye was maaiiness and truth; she would trust once more. Scarce could she restrain her natural inclination to fly to his arms for refuge from the retentle.S enemies who pursued She could not have found strong. eror more willing arms to defend her.
 Having partially regained her eomposure, she sad
 U. believe you: had I not unbounded faith iii your honor and courage I should never have run the great risk 1 do in com ing here.2
 <" Then t Is q riskt =
 A greater risk than you can imagine Should I be discovered here it would be fatal 10 my plans-plaus which are more than hfe to me
 What wore the plans to which she al- luded! Doubtless some request-sone sim ole service she wished him to perform for her Knowing that ono SD pure and noble as she c9ald not make an evil request, he resolved tc do her bidding.
 Have no fears to speak boldly to me, said Allen. Your wishes. Ii in my power, shlll be granted
 Can you leave the yillage:' she asked.
 Starting in anazement, theastonished cd for gazed tt her for a moment, repeating:
 Leave the villagc.a
 '' mean only temporarily two or three days at the longest.
 yves, I can -and-and l will If 1t Is neCcsSary.'
 is necessary Some one must go, and can trust no one but yourself.
 Where do you wish me 10 go.
 .' Do Fou know where the French settle ment or French town is v
 Il have heard of t, and can find it very easily. It is about fifty miles down the riyer'
 Yes, sir; il is fully that far" the girl answered, gathering up the folds Of her apron n her embarrassment and with nervous fingers folding them down into lit tle plaits.
 What an l to do when l get there:o Allen asked.
 You are to go to the house of Madcm- -oi5eic Camille said the glrl. still hcsltat- ing 10 make her request fully known.
 Am to take d message to hcrt3 asked Allen,
 You are to take child" said the girl slowly turning her great blue eyes upon hi:;s.
 Amazemeut, wonder and curiosity Were raging like so many fires in Aliens breast.
 A child.'' he gasped
 s' Yes, sir; httle boy six years old
 When am 1 to start!''
 '.Ths very night"
 Could he believe his senses3 Was all this a strange, wild dream from which he would awake before he knew how it all came out, or was it indeed areality:
 In his helpless bcwildermeRt he asked himself what this child was to the people of the French settlement Could he be accused of kidnapping for secretly undertaking this task! While all these conflicting thoughts were surgng like a tempest in his mind, he yiVidlv recalled the remark of Honey Barnes few weeks before. Toney, shak- Ing his head in his weird manner, said:
 Never trust yourself in the power of those people. 1 tell yc the whole family is bnghted by curse. No good ever come to any one who had any thing to do with em. If you eyer befrlend one O lem in any way you'u repent it the longest day you live.