Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1889-10-10
CHAPTER Xxx.


turn to Harlem on the evening of that ex-
asperating and disappointing day, / had
but mere shadow of hope of ANYTHING
turning up, yet the proposition had a most
unlooked-for and vital result.
Doc and l were again approaching The
Aspens at about seven in the evening, the
weather being dull, muggy, and dark, when
rant scream In woman's voice caused
us to quicken our pace.
Did it come from the mansion or sta
bles2" said Doc, as we sped along side by
side.
From the narrow lane OF the side of the
stables, fancy was my reply. Don't
enter the gate. This way. this way"
Hank, there it is again!" cried my COM
panion, as the scream was repeated and
more distinctly than before. "Ha! was
not that Marion's voice?" And on he flew
in the direction Of the voice, like an arrow
from the bow, and at his heels.
Down the main road, past the palings in
front of The Aspens, we sped, and then
up the narrow and unfrequented lane that
led to the stable side of the grounds. It
was not so pitch dark but that we partly
made out, directly upon turning into this
lane, o closed carriage drawn up at the side
of the fence, and the figures of three men
with woman in their midst. They were
evidently trying to force her into the coach,
whose driver, meanwhile, seemed to have ali
he could do to control the frightened
horses. and she was evidently offering the
most determined resistance to their efforts.
Again her cry for help rang out upon the
night, and. though half -stifed, this time
there was no doubt that it was Marion
Digby's voice.
Doc and I answered it with a simulta
neous yell, and the next moment we were
upon the ruffans, almost before they were
well aware Of our presence. Z
We had the advantage of taking them
completely by surprise.
Doc struck from the shoulder as he ran,
knocking down the fellow in whose more
Immediate grasp the young lady was strug-
Cling, while sent another one reeling back
against the coach wheels by telling butt
blow from my revolver, which had fortu-
nately drawn at the first alarm. At the
same time, however. / saw Doc drop like a
log, with Miss Digby in his arms, under a
dastardly blow from some blunt weapon in
the third villains hands. Almost at the
same instant I received q blow from the
drivers loaded whip, which my hat alone
must have prevented from cracking my
skull, while the man who had first been
foored scrambled to his feet and aimed q
swinging lunge at me with an ugly knife,
that I just leaped aside from in time to
avoid
Then lost no time in opening fire upon
them Unfortunately, whereupon one Of
the three again went to earth with a cry Of
pain. But his comrades managed to pick
him up and thrust him into the coach.
They spranP in after him, the door slammed
shut, the drivers whip cracked, and they
were off out of further harms reach, with
their horses at gallop.
sent parting shot after them, which
knocked off one Of the coach-lamps
into the lane, and then ran to Doc. He
was already upon his feet, however, and
stoutly averring that he had received no
permanent injury, in answer to Marions
pialntlvely expressed fears to the contrary.
I fancy we are all more startled than
hurt, said cheerfully, You, Miss Dig
by, are uninjured2"
Entirely so. thank heaven! But, in
deed, those rascals were not extremely
harsh with me. They almost beseeched
me to surrender quickly. If could have
Fought them off successfully, OF course I
shouldn't have cried out"
Heaven be thanked that you did.
thought" exclaimed her lover, fervently.
But how did it happen?" Il
Easily explained, replied the young
girl, of whose admirable nerve MANY
plucky man might we'll have been proud.
u received an unknown scrawl-directed
to me and stuck under the hall door-a
lew minutes ago, saying that, if / would
come alone to the side gate yonder, would
receive intelligence of Lulu. Forgetting
my precautions in my anxiety, went at
once-the rest you can guess. I was seized
upon almost as soon as / entered the sta
ble-yard That is all. Oh, no it isn't,
either!" she suddenly added, with cry.
One man sprang to my rescue in the yard,
them desperately, silently. till rendered
senseless by q cruel blow. Oh, he NAV be
dead Run for light-let us search!"
ran along the road, and secured the
still burning lamp that had fallen from the
coach. then led the way into the stable-
1t may have been Herman, the coach
man, said Miss Digby. He was brave
and resolute. Pray heaven he be not dead!"
And If alive, be assured he shall be
richly rewarded, said Doc.
Here he is, said I, who, being a little
In advance, at that moment stumbled over
. PROSTATE and motionless form. Look"
and 1 held the lamp to his face. "Hallo!
reward will scarcely be expected here. ]
eancy."
Mr.. Jocelynl. exclaimed both my COM
panions in Q breath. as they started back
rom momentary survey Of the set and
ivid face.
1t was. indeed. the steward, lying there
notionless, bloody. aud, to all appearances.
ifeless.
Take Miss Digby to the house at once,
Doc, said !, peremptorily. Then hasten
back with help.
Doc followed my directions without de-
nur, and in few minutes returned with
Herman and another domestic, with whose
assistance we at once conveyed Mr.. Jocelyn |
0 the library.
He revived on the way thither, however,
nd the physician, who was procured in |
hort order, pronounced his injuries not |
erious, an ugly and stunning confusion Of |
be temple being their full extent.
The injuries Of Doc and myself were |
1en examined as we'll, with even more en-
ouraging results. Then. fully satisfied |
lat everything would remain quiet at The |
spens for number of hours to come, at |
'ast. firmly declined all entreaties to re-
lain, and hurried home. to give an account
I myself to Norah, and to prepare for the |
cooperative rest Of which stood in such !
reat need.
Remember, you expect company to din
or my sister called ont to me at about I