The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-09-01
disappeared, and the lights went out,
CHAPTER ".

where and how could not be discoy
cred.
The party soon left the room to re-
turn to the released prisoners.
A litter was hastily made Of pawpaw
bark, on which Farmer Jones was car
ried to his home. It was very late be-
fore they reached Farmer Rice's home,
and only to find it dark and empty.
Mrs Jones had persuaded her neigh
Dor to remain with her until the "men
folk" returned. Mr.. Jones was carried
by four of the party to his house, while
Williams and young Jones remained
with sad, lonely Farmer Rice.
do you feel strong enough now,
neighbcr, to hear some newso"
II guess so; but it depends very
much upon what Il Is. 1 am not
strong enough for very heavy bur
den"
yes, see; but you must know this,
which l wish to tell you nothing has
proven very serious yet, except, fear,
we shall never find little Lima"
What Ny boy Is my child still
in the power of that villain ?"
Eyes, my friend, she is. F"
John then related all that had hap
pened during the day and that evening.
The poor old man shook with emo
ton, while the hot tears couIsed down
his honest, rough, sun-burned cheeks.
johnny, my boy, may God bless and
keep YOU You have not only saved
my life but your fathers and brothers
also You have lessened our enemy
by three and | know you have done all
10
haired child"
Eyes. friend, / did all that l could.
A deep, sad sigh escaped the old
mans lips; and then, in murmured,
saddened tones, half to himself, half to
our Creator, with his hard, bony hands
clasped in pleading pity, he raised his
dull. dark eyes to heaven, the moon,
by this late hour high up among the
now dim stars, shone down upon him
in his sorrow with mellow light, as if
in respect for the lonely old man.
Father, have mercy upon me! re-
store me my child! She whom you
gave me, fifteen long years ago, is now
the light of my life. Have mercy, l
pray thee.
He sank, limp and powerless, upon
moss covered knoll, near the veranda,
while above his head, swayed to and
fro by the gentle spring breezes, hung
the white snowballs and red roses.
Johnny, if she cannot be found [ am
afraid it Will be much the worse for me"
"Neighbor, believe me, l am as sad
as you. l suffer more, now that she is
gone, than words or pen can tell. She
was my hope, my happiness; now life
is void. If she cannot be found | shall
not remain here, but go far away.
shall return to the West"
"Ah, Johnny, you loved her, too; l
thought So.
Just then they heard Mrs. Rice COM
ing up the long grayel-walk, pale and
trembling.
"Ah, Cristo, my dear, good man, you
are, / thank God, restored to me alive,
but where is little Lina?" She sighed,
and looked hesitatingly into her hus-
bands sad, pale face.
90, I see by your looks, she is lost. !"
She then threw herself in his arms,
and the two silver-sprinkled heads
| rested on each others shoulder, while
sobs of sorrow burst from their lips,
and tears of anguish dropped from their
sad, sunken eyes.
At sunrise, on the following day, the
| Sheriff and his party were to meet John
! in the thicket, and start i'll search of
| the secret hiding place of Swarthy Jim.
| Just as the sun peeped from the eastern
horizon a shrill, sharp whistle rang
! through the woods, which was answered
Immediately, only few rods off.
Hello, John, how do you feel this
morning? Fine, l hope; this is cap
ital air to hunt thieves in, 1 tell you.
But, 1 say, how do you feel?"
"Ail right, thank you. But let us
| proceed Immediately down stream to
the tree which you marked yesterday"
All right; are you well armed?"
yes"
you see, if the girl is there, and
they are not willing to give her up, we
must take her by force"
The poor little girl, if they had but
known it, was then miles away
very we'll, Williams; / could send
them all to rest with a very good grace,
but / am afraid we are too late"
Keep up courage, Jones; it is more
than probable that we shall find her,
and hope before very long"
eyes, God grant it"
Come boys; not word from one of
you, and no noise"
In about half an hour the party
reached the place on the bank Of the
creek where Jim and his accomplice
had been overheard the day before by
the Sheriff
Hist! haiti" commanded Williams,
"this is the place where the two separ-
ated yesterday. Follow me-"
After another half hour of close
watch and careful search, they reached
the tree that Williams had marked
Everything was examined by the
party so carefully that nothing seemed
upturned or unnoticed.
For hours they searched for some
clue to an underground passage, but
all efforts seemed in vain. The party
was growing weary, and decided to give
up the search for the present.
As they started to leave Johnny,
more anxious than the rest, fingered
behind, still closely searching fer a
hidden passage.
His quick eye caught slight move
! thANAAO Vi tllC Siouiltl lt" ittb II VII
him, and, like a flash, he bounded to
the spot.
1t was but a molei
Yet anxious, patiently ne waited and
watched the mole as it slowly dug its
way under the ground
Presently the motioned ceased, and
st that spot lay peculiarly colored
small green rope.
"Ahi 1t is very strange that that
should be here. l will keep it, and, in
some way, it may be of some use to
me-"
But the rope was firmly fastened to
something in the ground
He gave it a strong pull, when, TO
his great surprise, the earth seemed to
give way, and in front of him was a
deep, dark opening.
Hello, boys; here quick We have
itlD
They were Immediately BY his side