Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-04-26

shelter and help. Nab, being of opinion
that the channel which divided the two
islands was but a few miles away, pro-
posed to set out at once. To this demur-
red. 1t was now the hottest time Of the
day. We were all very tired: we neither
knew exactly how far it was to the chan
mel, nor now far we should have to 90 on
the other side before reaching a settlement
Better stay all night where we are" l
said, land start at sunrise in the morning;
the more especially as the channel being
no doubt tidal one, we may have TO wait
some time before we are able to cross"
You are quite right. Let it be as you
say. We shall be all the better for good
nights rest. At the same time, | am very
anxious TO get back to Fairhaven as soon
as possible. They are sure to think I am
dead, and in that case there may be bad
work"
bad work."
Eyes, lad wOrk-trouble. Amyas Fame
is my natural successor, and in the ordin-
airy course of things should become pro-
tectOr in my stead. But the Council of
Nine have right of veto. and they may
reject him in favor of my second cousin,
Oliver Fame"
81 know him-he was among the shark
fighters-a very fine young fellow. Still,
don't quite understand why they should
prefer him 10 the other"
ale is better liked than the other, and
/ think he is better man. ike Amyas,
he has many good qualities; but, to tell the
truth, he does not inspire me with implicit
confidence. He is ambitious and master
full, and, fear, not always sincere"
81 see You think that if the Council
preferred Oliver, Amyas would refuse to
accept their decision"
81 think it is very likely"
"And them"
"There might be trouble, confusion,
strife, perhaps blOod-shed, all which my
return would of course prevent While we
were ufioat did not think about it. My
mind was too full of other things; it never
occurred to me that we should be cast
away so far from home, and in circum-
stances which would make It appear that
we had persisted. But now / see clearly
that the consequences may be very serious.
Amyas has friends, and Oliver has friends,
and both are brave and impetuous. Yes,
Mr.. Erie am very anxious to get back"
''I Gun well believe it, and we must get
back with all possible speed. Butwe shall
gain rather than lose by delaying our de-
parture until tomorrow morning. And
are you not taking the matter rather too
seriously? We shall be back in two or
three days-at the outside in four-and In
that time no great harm can be done.
They will surely seek for us; because the
Diana has disappeared it does not follow
that we are all drowned, and Anyas could
not decently-"
Here pulled up short, for a startling
suspicion had flashed suddenly into my
mind, an idea to which hesitated to give
uttcrancc.
"Well," said Nab, what were you go
ing to say?"
Nothing particular Only that l was
sure Amyas would not take any steps
would not attempt to assume the prOtec-
torate till he had assured himself that
you were not living"
That is not what you were going to
sayr she exclaimed, imperiously. Tell
me at once: | insist on knOwingp'
You cannot make a man tell you his
thoughts Queen Nab" | answered, quiet
ly. Suppose admit that you are right
that | was going to say something else,
how are you to know that am telling you
my real thoughts, after all? | may tell
you something else"
but you will tell me your real thoughts,
Mr.. Erie? You have u right to be offend
ed. was too absolute; insisted when |
ought to have bcsouGht. Tell me frankly
what was In your mind YOu may be sure
! shall not abuse your confidence and IL
will give yOu mine"
She spoke softly, almost caressingly; and
when Nab lowered her voice, it was sin
Eularly sweet and musical. l had already
half resolved To speak out" and even if
had not, it would hardly have been pos
sible to refuse request SO graciously
made.
well, my thought was this-it came
unbidden-takc it for what it is worth; |
dare say you will deem it very absurd. 1t
referred to you Cousin-AmyAs. You said
just now that he is ambitious and insin-
cere. That means he is not too scrupu-
lous. Now, ambitious and INSCRIPTIONS
men do strange things sometimes Is it
possible that he had anything to do with
cutting the Diana lOOse-thHt his was the
figure revealed to me by the flash of light
ningY'
Nab started and turned pale, and her
eyes ere troubled.
Il should be sorry to think So" she said,
hesitatingly; yet still There are many
things in his conduct lately And. to tell
the truth said would be frank with
yOu-the same suspicion has OCCurredlto me,
yet vaguely, and thrust it from me. |
would not listen to the prOmptings of my
own mind; would not have it that Fame
could be traitor; and have been so kind
to him. One favor only | refused him.
Yet nothing is impossible, and as the sus-
picion occurred also to you, there must be
something in it. Yes, Amyas is the man.
or, II he be not, he knows who is"
Don't let us go too fast, Queen Nab.
Suspicion is not proof, remember; and we
are "A long way yet from connecting your
cousin with the crime. But there is some
thing else. A few weeks ago received an
anonymous letter Deeming it sorry
jest, or an empty threat, l said nothing
about it; but now it is only right that you
should know"
AN anonymous letteri Where Is tts"
"HereH'-taking it from my pocket and
handing it to her.
She read and re-read the letter with
knitted brows several times. her face grow
ing darker with every perusal Then she
struck the paper with her hand and sprung
eNCltedly 10 her feet.
t.
exclaimed; the handwriting is disguised;
nevertheless, l will find out. Sybil shall
tell me. But this | know, the hand which
wrote it is the same that cut the Diana
adrift. Ii is vile plot. They-I say they.
for there may be more than one-they saw
that in you had found new friend, a
friend whom | could trust; and they want
ell TO get rid of you, to brighten you away.
before trying to get rid of me There is
but one man in the country who is capable
of cOutriviuS such a plot, and he is the
only man who would profit by its success
my cousin Amyas. 1t is more serious
shan thought Depend upon it, he will
not wait for the veritCutiOn of my death
before proclaimiuG himself protector. No
crisis SO grave has occurred since Denzil
Fame founded the commonwealth, whose
ruler am, and whose ruler. please God.
will remain. But l am only woman.
shall want counsel and help. You will
stand by me, Mr.. Erle-you will be my
friendf"
Inese words, delivered with much fire
and animation, moved me strangely. |
took her hand and kissed it. and before |
knew what | was saying l had protested
that l would stand by her TO the death.
81 know you will" She said smiling;
land decentralization the danger is past
you will find that Queen Nab can be
grateful; anything in her power You
have only 10 ask"
Shall l ask her about going avay' 1
Thought Il shall never have better