The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-02-06

penned those lines. II suppose this affair
Is to terminate as mysterious as 1t begun
The mulatto informed him by signs that
his supper was ready, and by the time he
had finished 1t his horse would be waiting
for him. Allen rose and went TO supper.
He finished his meal in silence, and then
by the same pantomimio motions, the boy
informed him that his horse was ready. II
was almost dark when he found himself
once more at the sile Of that coal-black
horse that had borne him so nobly on oils
long Journey to Frenchtown. A days rest
and excellent care had removed all indioa,
tions Of evil effects Of his hard travel.
Neither the child nor mademoiselle had
been seen by Allen since morning, and no
message was given him to return. he
vaulted in the saddle and the mulatto point
cd to road leading of through grove OF
trees. This road went directly north from
the village, and by following 1t he would, be
knew, come into the main road mile or
two away from Frenchtown.
"They seem to fear that l am being
watched,n said Allen to himself, sand i
suppose that the sooner / get away from
here the better"
He gave his horse the rein, and the AMI
NAL cantered away at brisk pace.
1t was quiet night. The hum OF insects
and chirp of crckets along the wooded
road made pleasant music for the lonely
traveller. Though he had been considerably
rested, his muscles, unaccustomed to the
hard strain so recently put upon them, were
bruised and sore. Had not his horse been
an easy. going animal he could not have
stood the journey. Being alone and unin-
numbered the return was much more COM
Portable than his ride Of the night before.
The farmers were returning to their
homes after their hard days toll. The
weary horses, now freed from the clanking
chains, crunched their corn and oats at their
stalls. As Allen cantered along the dusty
road he envied the farmer, sitting on the
doorstep to cool his heated feet, the night
of sweet repose that was before him.
The country was thickly settled, and for
the first hour or two Of his night ride he
heard the low murmur Of voices in and
about the farm-houses. At one the weary
plow-man sat on the front porch smoking
his evening pipe; at another u pair Of lovers
were cooing upon the lawn; at third Nyo
or three noisy children were playing prison
house, their shouts and laughter making the
weary traveller glad.
But anon the hum Of voices and scenes Of
life died away AS night still more closely
enwrapt the earth in her sable mantle q
quiet repose fell over the scene and all be-
came silence. The farmer had cooled his
feet and was sleeping sweetly; the plow-
man had smoked his pipe and retired; the
lovers had separated with q parting kiss,
and the merry childish voices were hushed
In slumber.
Only occasionally was he aroused from
his gloomy reveries by restless dog run
ming out into the road TO bark at the passing
stranger. Then he plunged into q great
! forest-covered valley, and tho boot Of owls
and screams Of night birds grated upon his
nerves, causing him to shudder.
Having only forty-mile ride before him,
and not wishing to enter the town before
| daylight, Allen allowed his horse TO jog
along quite leisurely, while his mind dwelt
upon the strange events Of the last few
weeks, terminating in this most extra
ordinary journey. How was he to account
for his strange absence, and would he be
able TO keep this visit secret from the tall,
dark strangeri Somehow he felt that that
tall, dark man, giving his name as X. Y. a.,
was his enemy, and IL he had been pursued be
was one Of the pursuers.
All night, over lonesome roads, through
dark forests and along silent lanes the
young editor continued his journey. When
morning dawned he was In sight Of the vii.
lage where he was directed to stay.
He went TO q small hotel, where he gave
his horse into the care OF the landlord,
ordering the horse TO be groomed and fed
aud that breakfast be prepared for himself
BE slept most Of the forenoon, but at two
o'clock rose, and after q hearty dinner
called for his horse.
(which way are you goin'l' the landlord
asked.
Back home-up the river, he answered
"Did ye come from up the riverp'
ayes, SIR"
"Been out tradin'f'
"No, sir. went TO q town below here or
some business, and l am now on my way
back.n
Glad TO escape 30 inquisiiivo man as thu
landlord was liable to prove, Allen paid his
bill and mounting his horse galoped away
ia the direction Of Turley's Point.
II he went straight ahead ho would reacf
the Point long before night, which he dit
not wish TO do; so, coming to thick forest
he rode some distance into it, and thert
waited until the sun had gone down and thI
shades Of twilight had begun TO deepen
when he again resumed his journey.
Allen was almost worn out with his lonJ
ride at such unreasonable holrs, and wa
very glad when he found himself once NOR,
in the vicinity OF Turley's Point. II wa
still early,and not wishing to be seen by an!
one, he rode around the village, entering tn
old deserted turnpike soide distance abov'
It. Here IL was 80 dark nat he could scare
see an object three PAGES before him, bu
he managed 10 find the path, and took tn
horse to the very spot where he had foun
him, and tied him TO the same tree.
He felt great burden lifted from hi
breast. He seemed 10 be just awakin
from 10 troubled dream. Cramped by hi
long ride, his stiffened limbs seemed hardl.
able TO carry him TO the village.
Danger was over; few moments NOR
and he would be in his bed resting from hi
toilsome journey.
Allen reached the turnpike, and bad jus
stepped out OF the narrow path into 4
when tall dark form sprang upon hin
,, Before he could make an effort TO resist, h
was seized by the shoulders and hurled
,, the earth. A hand clutched his throat an
q sharp bright blade glittered in the stai
light above him, while voice almost st
fled with hate, hissed In his ear.
"Dic, you dogp
CHAPTER XIV.
!, THE MAN WITH THE HoRsE.wHrP.