The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-03-22

THERE SOON APPEARED THREE STRANGE MEN.
distant. At half-past three O'Clock in the
morning they were approaching tho we'll
known town, and the east was beginning to
show faint signs Of light.
Fairfax urged to u rapid pace the horse
that quickly carried them through the SUM
boring place. He made a brief pause ut the
inn Of Landlord Baadray. They drove di-
rcctly toward the appointed rendezvous near
the fateful pool and led tie horse into the
midst Of neighboring grove. where it was
quite evident no one would stray, otherwise
than by the mercst accident
Turning to Dick. Fairfax heaved sigh.
with the after remark:
My friend, all is complete-esery thing.
Only the intervention of Heaven, now, can
defeat my plans"
Then, for the first time, OSfords Curl
osity as to the schemes of his friend were
satisfied.
He had made up his mind. whatever might
be their character, not to betray the slight
est emotion on learning them; and to do him
justice, outwardly he cvinced no sign Of the
disnay that overwhelmed him as he listened
to the outrageous project of his mad friend
Although his heart sank within him, he
made no remark at first. Fairfax watched
4
| words.
Finally, with a gravity wholly unwonted
and an impressive seriousness, all the more
effective because unusual, Oxford turned to
| Fairfax, and said:
Il promised to be with you in whatever
! you undertook. | will keep my word if you
insist upon 1t. II is not too late. even yet, for
you to fore-o this unfortunate affair. |, my
| self, think it unnecessary, extremely I'M
practicable and dangerous, and, frankly,
idiotic as well as wicked
Not line moved in his hearers impassive
countenancc.
/ That extraordinary individual had consid-
cred the entire matter III all its actual and
possible relations and contingencies; had
/ become excited to an unnatural and cx-
tremely unreasonable pitch of mind, and
was resolved that ltohatg should deter him
, from his undertaking.
Although somewhat startled at the sound
| advice and solemn words of the hitherto
light-hcaltea Richard, and realizing, for q
moment, the folly of his prospective deed
and the long list Of misfortunes and evils
that might follow in its train, he immediate
~ stcc.cl himself against the weakness of
the moment, and was once more the man OF
answering purpose and iron will.
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, y
was his silent self-reasoning
Beginning in that plausible, seductive and
irresstib,y attractive manner of his, he
gradually ovcrcamc Dicks conscientious
scrup.cs: dullcd his common sense, appealed
to his adventurous spirit, and thus began Il
arouse his Tagging interest in the matter
Oxford, poor fellow. although realizing
that his friend was about to embark upon 6
very crazy and coWardly enterprise, was
yet unable to resist the extraordinary influ
ence which this strange man welded ovel
him, and step by step, yielded to the might,
will Of the latter: until, once more, Fairfa,
had most Jealous advocate in Richard.
About noon, with lazy cape, Fairfax re
marked:
"Let Us 60 out and watch for thos,
heavy villains They must be near a
hand.n
There soon appeared three strange men
carelessly sauntering down the road. s.
completely had they disguised them
selves thai Lie two watchers were uncer
tain as to their identity. However, as the,
approached nearer, it was not difficult 4
recognize the tones of each voice.
The arch-conspirator took the two seamel
aside and enlightened them as to the par
they were to play. They appeared to b
3 wide awake characters. capable Of a hazard
: Gus feat Of any kind. They readily entere
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 bis valet int