The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-05-17

iron it as LII the beautiful, ssnystel Gus
Bertha.
do you know any thing of the young
1ady?'' he asked.
No, sir" she answered, CURLY, while an
expression fitted over her face which he
could not understand, unless it was tinge
of jealous fear.
Did you ever hear any thing about her?"
"Only what have told you," she an
swered. "She has never been seen but
twice.
He could have told much more of the great
stone house on the hill than any one knew
had he chose to do so, but he determined to
keep his counsel to himself.
The conversation began to drag, and as it
was growing late, and she considered the
young editor free from any further danger
at present. Miss Leethy Hopkins left the
office. Aliens face was convulsed with
mental anguish, and, striking his desk with
his fist, he said:
This has gone far enough. Be it life or
death, misery or happiness, Heaven or hell,
will probe that mystery-I will know all
before another sun rises. I will go to the
tall stranger and demand an explanation.
even if he shoots me dead on his doorstep.
Death is preferable to another night of mis-
cry and doubt"
With this desperate resolve fresh on his
lips and engraven in his heart he seized
his hat, and leaving Toby to close the Office,
left the village and hurried up the old disused
road to the great stone house on the hill.
CHAPTER XVII
HOW TURKEYS POINT DEFEATED HERSELF.
When Allen Gray reached the house on
the hill, instead of going around it as he had
done on former occasions, he walked direct
ly up to the great front gate and tried to
enter it; but it was locked.
His first thought was to scale the wall,
which he could have done by going to the
rear, but seeing a servant in the front yard
he called to him.
81 want to see your MASTER" he said.
The servant, who understood some En-
glish, shook his head, saying:
"Ze monsieur gone-ze monsieur gone.
Monsieur no come-no come bon ja,tr mon
sieurp' And turning about, went away
Allen waited long while at the gate,
hopinghe would see some one else to whom
he could appeal. Darkness came over the
earth, and he was at last forced to leave.
Slowly and sadly he turned about and went
down the hill, his head bowed in thought.
AICCI dill dill uOU d lOOl. uc SdlU. w uy
need I care? What can she be to mes" But
it was folly for him to attempt to drive her
image from his mind; it had been indeibly
stamped upon his heart and could never be
effaced. She had been no coquette seeking
conquests; she had made no advance nor
evinced any boldness, even when visiting
him by night, to have him take the little boy
to Frenchtown.
She seemed to have been reared in seclu-
sion and taught to look upon every one as
an enemy. 1t was only the direst necessity
that induced her to trust him on that occa-
sion.
twill Danish her from my mind. he re-
solved, and for weeks made heroic efforts to
do so. He was partially aided by the petty
annoyances, which, like the sting of hornets,
tended to divert his mind from greater suf-
fering.
1t was only week after his unsuccessful
visit to the great stone house that he was
interrupted one morning by the abrupt en-
trance of Mr. Tom Simmons.
II want to know the truth from youp'
cried the excited Simmons.
DO you mean to inslnuate that I have
been telling you talsehoodss" demanded
Alien, angrily.
Mono don't; but want to know all
OF it now"
TEL me what it is you want to know,