The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-09-01

the French settlement Could he be accused
Of kidnapping for secretly undertaking this
taski While all these conflicting thoughts
were surgin9 like tempest In his mind,
he yivdly recalled the remark OF Toney
Barnes few weeks before. Toney, shak-
ing his head IN his weird manner said:
"Never trust yourself in the power OF
those people. | tell yc the whole family Is
blighted by curse. No good ever come 10
any one who had any thing 10 do with 'em.
II you ever bcfrlsnd one o 'em in any way
you'll repent IL the longest day you live.
They're blighting curse to anybody who
has any thing whatever 20 do with 'em."
Somehow the young editor could not help
asking himself II he had fallen under this
blighting curse. Was he 10 be only ono
more victim TO tho strange mystery Of Tur-
lcy's POinti Then his eyes fell upon tho
pale, sweet face OF the anxious girl, and no
knew she was no siren, charming him 10
destruction. With determination in his
voice he said
"If you say for mo TO go tonight will
60"
The girl who, during the moments silence
had been sitting her face burning with
eagerness, now grew brighter as she re-
turned:
at must be to-nigl., Mr.. Gray; tomor-
row will be too Late
How am TO go, by the river"
"No, on horseback"
81 do Lot know that can get horsen
"Onc will be furnished YOU
Then another short silence cnsucd. She
seemed waiting 10 gather up her thoughts.
From her brcathlcss exhaustion It was evil
dent that she had come very rapidly from
the great house To the village.
IIpr agitation hppump lpSS nS Shg rpCOy-
cred from her cxcrtion, and now she was
almost as much composed as she had ever
been. Gazing at hIm with Intense eager
ness, she began giving her instructions.
"As soon as ! am gone" she said, In
clear, steady voice, "go 10 the spring where
you found the lockct. There you will find
horse saddled and equipped tied 10 n tree
just back of the old rustic seat He is tho
best roadster in the whole cC.intry, and will
carry you safely TO the end Of your journey
without stopping The poor child is deaf
and dumb, but he is very patient and will
give YOU little or no trouble. Allen was dis
appointed TO learn of the cnid's aillctiOn,
for somo how he thought the little prattler
would, on this long, lonely ride, unravcl 10
him some Of the mystery of the stone house
on the hill
"Whcrc will find the ChIldF' he asked.
"Untic the horse and bring him back TO
tho road which leads up to The stone house
on the hill, and there will IL an old negro
woman waiting for you with the child.
When she gives IL to you, lose no time In
your flight. Do not think this an easy task
you are undertaking. Mr.. Gray, or that it
is unattended with danger There is danger
Of which YOU can have no knowledge. Tho
Journey is hazardous, and may cost you your
life"
danger shall not deter mc for single
moment" said Allen, his bosom hcaving
with uncomfortable emotions II am act
ing In a just cause in serving you; | know
1t is right or you would not have imposed
the task on me-
The girl had risen 20 her feet, and when
she heard his noble voice, so full of faith
and trust, she extended her hands toward
him, while her beautiful face glowcd with
gratitude
THANK YOU! oh. may Heaven reward
YOU for saving that. had almost come 10
the conclusion that would never SEQ an-
other man whom could trust. | am thank
ful that was in error, and 1t Is with The
greatest JOY that have put that feeling for
ever out Of the way
She uncousCiously seized his hand, send
ing such thrill through Aliens frame ut
the touch that he seemed electrified.
bertha Bcrthaw he invountarily aud
almost uncousciously cried What Is 10
alll What ~ all this mystery surrounding
youi Forgive my inQuisitvcncss. feel
M IL our d. times are one
Hush, hushv she cried, starting back
and gazing in terror at the door. "You
know not what you say-you can notl'
"Sou misunderstood me, Bertha" no
hoarsely whispered, while cold fear seemed
creeping over his heart almost choking his
uttcraucC. You know not the motive that
prompts the question. IL is "A personal in
terest in yourself and not idle curiosity.
This mystery ia doubtless a family affair
which you would very properly keep from
the eyes Of the world. Again | assure you
tits not idle curiosity that prompts me 10 lifs
the mystic vail; 1t Is that may help you IN
your distress, for-oh, Bertha, L-i-lore
yoHi'
What'a shrek of horror she uttered and
how she shrank trembling from head to
foot from him! Then, wrins-ing her hands
in silent agony, she gazcd so wildly at him
that he began 10 fear she had suddenly
been seized by TT Of madness. Spell
bound and spCCchless Tor several minutes
both stood Claring AT each other.
Bertha Miss Colhnsw he at last said, in
very pcnitcnt voice, "forgIvc me- For
get all that | have said. will serve you
without making any further inquiries, and,
DC the crrand 10 the grave, am ready 10
60"
Slowly she opened the door. and turning
her white sad face toward him. family said !.
Adicu"
FAREWELL" Ills voice was a. faint and
sad as hers. They were parting, perhaps
forever, yet she was doubly dear to hum
now. That crushing weight upon his heart
seemed almost unbcarablc.
lie wrote few lines 20 the foreman. leav-
ing some instructions in regard 20 the busi
ness, stating that he would return Ia three
or four days, and then prepared for that
mysterious journey.