Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02

thing else A few weeks ago received an
anonymous letter. Deeming it a sorry
jest, or an empty threat, I said nothing
about it; but now it is only right that you
should know"
IAN anonymous letter. Where Is itrr
'sHerel"-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
excitedly to her feet.
'T know not who wrote this letter." she
exclaimed: 1.-The handwriting is disguised;
nevertheless, 1 will find out Sybil shall
tell me. But this know, the hand which
wrote it is the same that cut the DIANA
adrift. 1t is vile plot. They-Isay they,
for there may be more than one-they saw
that in you had found a new friend,
friend whom l could trust; and they want
ed 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 contriving such plot, and he is the
only man who would profit by it's success
than l thought. Depend upon it, he will
not wait for the verifcation of my death
before proclaiming 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 a woman.
shall want counsel and help. You will
stand by me. Mr.. Erle-you will bs my
friend'"
Tnese words, delivered with much fire
and animation, moved me strangely.
took her hand and kissed it, and before |
knew what was saying I had protested
that / would stand by her to the death.
81 know you WILL" she said, smiling;
sand afterward-when the danger is past
you will find that Queen Nab can be
grateful; anything in her power You
have only to ASK
Shall I ask her about going awayW 1
thought. 81 shall never have a better
chance" But before could make up my
mind, Buttercup (who had been lying down
in one of the cabins) came into the saloon,
and the opportunity was lost.
Poor boyl" exclaimed Nab, compass
sionately, you look very hungry; sit down
and eat something"
Buttercup required no second asking,
and having good deal of leeway to make
up, he devoured nearly everything before
him. He was tall lad of fourteen, a de-
scendant of one of the "Hecate's" mid
shipmen, wonderfully good-natured, and
very devoted to his mistress, with whom
he was great favorite.
"Whither are you going, Mr.. Erle?" she
asked, as l went toward the companion.
''To prepare for our journey. We shall
have to provision ourselves for at least a
day; and there are few things 1 should
like to Ike with US; among others a couple
of rifles and a revolver and some cartridges.
1t would be a pity to leave them behind.
They might prove very useful-ln certain
eventualities."
$50 they might. Let US take them, by
! all means. And the books, I should be
very sorry to leave the books"
''Well, we will do our best. But books
are heavy things to carry"
"Never mind. I can carry them" put
in Buttercup, looking up from his plate.
81 could carry twice as many, and other
things, too, if you want. They don't weigh
above hundredweight."
''Thank you, George" said Nab "I
know you are both strong and willing. All
the same, we must not burden you too
heavily; for we have long journey before
u.s. l think I should like to be able to load
and fire a rife, Mr.. Erie. Will you be my
teacher?'
answered, of course, in the affirmative,
and fetching one of the weapons, l ex-
planned its mechanism, and showed her
how to insert the cartridges, take aim, and
fire. We then went on deck, and let her
burn dozen cartridges-I did not think
we could afford to waste more. Nab
proved herself an exceeding apt pupil, and
told her-what was indeed the truth
that with little pracUice she would make
an aYna1lant shot