San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-02-20

us eyes lAeu on the girl he had learned to
love so well. AT that very moment the mon
ster ceased circling about its victim and pre-
pared for attack. Just as it poised itself for
It's last fatal swoop, the sharp report of q
rifle rang out on the still air, and the creature
fell dead at the feet of its intended victim.
The next moment a man emerged from the
shrubbery near by, with a rife, still smoking,
trailing after him. He ran to the now pros
trate girl, and, kneeling beside'her, chafed
her wrists and held to her lips a small
flask. By this time Chester and his two com
panions, breathless and speeches., reached
the spot where Laura lay.
How can | thank you, sir9 You have
saved my darling's life," cried Mr.. Macleod,
Sobbi' with joy.
10, ON returned to consciousness, and
Chester explained to her what had taken
place. During the excitement that followed
her strange savior was entirely forgotten
When, however, they had regained calmness,
they found that he had disappeared as silently
and suddenly as he had come. They searched
the surrounding ground for some trace of
him, but without avail
1t is needless to s, ,lte that no more sketch
Ing was INDUCED IN that day.
One evening, week after the adventure
on Vulture's Nest, our friends were all con-
Sregated In the drawing room at Bonnie
Park, when servant made his appearance
with the announcement that a man had
called and desired to see Mr.. Macleod. The
old gentleman Immediately rose and followed
Benjamin out of the room Soon his voice
was heard in the hall extending q hearty
welcome to his visitor, and the next moment
he re-entered the room arm and arm with
none other than their elusive friend of the
Vulture's Nest incident. He was a remark
able looking man, tall and erect IN carriage,
with sad, handsome face, golden Drown
beard and deep blue, penetrating eyes
Laura thanked HIM with her own sweet
simplicity, and Chester and Macleod were
loud in praise of his GOODNESS and bravery
Hal STOOD little aloof from the group and
concentrated his gaze on Its central figure.
For ! the stranger had an nexplcaLle
fascination.
After they had thanked him to their hearts
content the stranger made known the object
of his visit He had found a locket on the
scene of the encounter, and thinking one of
the party must have lost it took the first CD
portunity to return the trinket-a small,
oddly shaped affair, on seeing which Hal ex.
claimed:
my locketl You have made me YOUR
debtor, sir, for prize this trinket very highly
1t was gift from my father to my mother
before was born"
The stranger started slightly and death
like pallor overspread his face.
Would you have any objection to my see
ing the interior of that locket"
Hal looked surprised, but silently opened
the trinket and presented it to the stranger
The latter gave hasty glance at the pict-
ure within and started back, almost drop
ping the locket as he did so.
II beg your pardon for my awkwardness
And is this picture of your mOtherF
"Yes, taken short time after her mar
riage," answered Hal
Strange, strange!" muttered the other
Can it be mere coincidence No, it is i'm
possible! Loving sir, know not who you
arA, but the picture you have shown me Is
that of my wife"
"Your wifeg" gasped Hal
Eyes; she is dead. She and an only child
were killed in a railway accident"
Hal turned CHASTITY pale 1t flashed through
his mind that his mother and he once had a
narrow escape from death in railway acct
ling suspicion was dawning on his mind. In
an unnatural voice he spoke.
Have you undoubted proof that they
were really killed in that accident"
The stranger took from his pocket a time
stained newspaper He pointed silently to
paragraph describing a fatal railway col
lision; and there, i'll the list of dead Hal saw
Mrs Julia Moore, widow, and her baby
boy, Halstead Moore"
The paper dropped from the young mans
lifeleSS hands.
My God! man, what is your name?" he
cried.
The strangers face was white with sup
pressed excitement as he answered:
Archibald Moore"
Father, cried Hal, ~ am Halstead Moore,
your sonl"
The next moment the father and son were
locked in their first embrace.
But little more remains to be told. A week
later the husband and wife whom fate had
SO cruelty torn asunder were once again
united and happy.
Some months after, in quaint little Scotch
chuIab double wedding ceremony was per-
formed. Laura Macleod changed her name
for that of Chester Lawrence, and Helen
Thornedale became the happy wife of Hal.
stead Moore.
1t is getting so now that the better class of
European monarchs can afford to travel in
as luxurious cars as those which are usually
k,,;l 60, A +ban