, 1889-09-26

thing else. See thls2' SHE held up the
paper she had crumpled In her hand.
a., II am going to do What what can TO bring
help do 1t. must hide II somewhere
about me, SO II ! should be taken n'--sie
gave a pathetic smile-.l know" she
added after nn instant of thought, "bring
me q strip of lead"
"Wharll git 1t, Miss HallieP" asked
the old man helplcssly.
"Anywherc-a piece of pipe; surely
there Is lead enough around In these
days"
The door. closed after the old dnrkcy,
and tho girl dropped on her knees a mo-
mcnt by her white pillow.
She tried to, breathe a prayer, but
could only think, "Oli, must save him,
Unjust save him" Rising, she donned
ller flding habit, Just as q tap at the
door told her 'Liiah had returned.
Quickly taking the strip of. lead from
then handing him her riding whip,
around the handle Of which she had
wrapped the thin wetted map, directed
him to fold the soitened lead around
and hammer ID together.
1t looked to II casual observer much as
ifwelghted to answer as a weapon.
"Now | am ready breathcd the girl,
with sigh OF relief; turn out the
lights, ,I.ijah' and put the key in your
Wont you take no pistol or nothin',
Miss Hallioe" asked the old servant,
tmidly.
mo, this will do If need
raising the handle of the whip,
''and must 20, ''us she crcpt softly down
the dimly lighted corridor, after the old
man, out to where Selim was tied be-
meath the low spreading branches of II
mulberry tree.
The old darky's voice tremblcd as he
sad, Don yoH tink Miss Halle, iiilh
better go long, too, so thcr won't nothin'
happen to your Missey would feel
mighty bad to hcv you gon' lone moo
dc woods dis time q night"
"Nol No! Lijah," the girl answered,
tcndcrly for she was touched by his de-
yotion. "Ioil couldn't go; you would
be missed, and there mo horse in the
stnble that could keep up with Selin."
She reached ono slim, white hand
down to the old man, who stood with
bowed head beside her, tear. pure ms
pearl, though it rolled hom black
check, dropped Oh its whitcness as she
clasped his dark fingers, and there was
q trcmble in her voice us she said:
"if should not come back, 'Iijah,
comfort my mother"
''Dc God OF Isuac an Jacob be with
YOU" sobbcd the old man, as Sellm
sprang out OH the road.
Half an hour later Colonel -, who
had returned to his quarters, came gal
loping up to the house, demanding If
Captain Royce hud gone.
mo; the captain and his men were
IN the dining-roOm taking lunch be-
fore they started"
Pushing by the surprised servant, he
passed into the room, where all looked
up at his excited entrance.
''Royce," he demanded "have you
fortitications | was about sending to
headquarters?"
No such paper having been seen,
search was Instituted, but no map APP
pearcd.
"Tis strange, very strange; of course
had it, and IL is gone" Suddenly he
stopped and looked at Royce kceily.
Your sister, has she seen itp" he de-
handed
Instantly the thought that was in his
mind flashed across to the other.
III understand your meaning SIR" re-
piled Royce, drawing himself up haught-
lily, but | would have you to know we
are all loyal people in this house, and, 1t
would be thought, had done enough TO
prove It. will call my sister," he con-
tinucd, waving oil his coloners apollo
gies, "Tcll Miss Helen to come here"
to q servant ut the door.
The two men stood regarding each
other silently until the servant returned,
saying:
al can fin Miss Hallie no where dc
doh of her room is locked"
The colonePs face became sus-
picious again at this reply. us
she not out on the grounds?'
demanded Jackson of old Lijah, who
now made his appearance.
'Foh dc Lod, sir, don know" re-
piled the old fellow earnestly.
His very earncstncss betrayed him.
Jackson demanded again angrily: 'Do
You know where Miss Halle isY'
The old man began to trcmble in
every limb, but he answered: "As true
as truf, Mlassa Jackson, | don know
Jackson turned TO another and said
quietly: go and see If Selim is in the
stable"
They waited breathlcssly for his re-
turn. His face answered them NO"
Colonel, 1t your suspicious prove
knowledge, believe me or not, as you
will"
'lf you are ready, my men, VIC will
go; there is not q moment to lose"
The colonel laid OBTAINING hand OH
his arm. Hadn't some others better"
he began.
"l 10 as soldier" said Royce sternly
and passed out of the room. A moment
more and the clattcr of their horses
feet died away IN the distance.
The night was dark, but no ono could
know the road better than Helen, and
Seim's feet seemed to fly as soon MS the
danger of being overheard was past.
One mile, two, five miles were passed,
over half the distance to the place where
she knew she would lind Dwight Hard
ing concealed. Whom, as the fall OF her
horse's feet was dcadoncd ON a grassy
stretch--what was that behind her?
The tramp, the rush of horsemen down
Il rocky detile she knew was hardly half
a mile away. Her quick mind told her
at once who 1t was.
Her flight, by the loss of the paper,
had been discovered.
How had she been so mad as to take
it2 Should she turn off into the woods
and mislead them? Mo- il might he
they were going straight on to where
Harding was hidden, and she must get
there first.
But the paper--if she should be over
taken 1t must not be found on her. they
might think her brother an accomplice.
Springing quickly to the ground, she
thrust tile whip into u hollow tree by tho
roadside ana III " moment was mounted
ami galloping on at a brcakneck pace.
There were two miles yet to go, but her
horse tagged and was breathing hard.
She conlu hear the regular tllud OF hoofs
behind. She leaned forward and pattcd
Selins neck. With AN intelligent drop
ping OF the ears lie sped on.
Almost there! She knew the house