The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-09-27

of the man whom
he held in his power, and who, up to
this time, he had deemed SO alarmed for
his own safety that he was even afraid
to call his soul his own.
He would as soon have looked to see q
worm turn under the heel that mangled
1t and attempt to retort as to have Law
renee Richmond try to thwart his plans !;
not that he looked upon the old man as
harmless, but because he believed he had
him in his power so completely.
The man whom he addressed 80 fercely
was for the time being incapable OF re-
plying, for it flashed over him that this
might not be quite 80 very pleasant after
all, for it might provo a two-cdged sword
staying on both sides.
II he could not convince the fighting
| Captain that he had had no hand in this
singular drama that had just taken place,
then exposure must come, for In his rage
the soldier would not be very apt to
spare the scourging process.
These things darted through the mind
OF tho master Of the Terrace very speed
lily, and he was soon in possession of his
| senses again.
W AiSA1j hO"OfOA, AO ooIOhAPSCA q uOLAol
of being implicated In the affair. Capt
Grant would not listen to him.
"You have played me false, Richmond,
deny it If you darc. Hark even now I
can hear your accomplice riding of, and
doubtless carrying your daughter with
him-a second Lochinvar. Highly ro-
mantle, no doubt, but you shall suffer for
| 1t. even II 1t should be tho last act OF my
life. A brave foo ! can honor, but a
traitor I despise, and would rick life to
give him the punishment he deserves"
"Listen to mew cried tho old man,
now fully alarmed for his safety, as he
saw that the mad soldier-adventurer was
in fit state to do any rash act "although
would have saved my daughter II 1t had
been possible, yet swear to you had
not tho remotest suspicion Of such a
thing occurring; and now see through
it all plainly. Do you know who has
carried away your bride, Capt. Grant?
The young master Of Darrel Chaoe has
been here!"
The Captain uttered an OATH
There was something plausible in this
statement that made him hold his arm,
for he had raised 1t as though to strike
the old man to his own floor.
"Roger Darrell here |" he snarled.
| His GOODNESS, which had always seemed
part of his nature, had apparently do
serted him at this juncture, leaving him
the embodiment Of savage rage The
idea advanced by the old man might have
gained more headway but that In again
searching tho face OF Lawrence Rich
mond with his keen eyes, he detected q
CLEAN In the others orbs which it seemed
to him was induced by triumph.
That settledit.
All he might say would 60 for naught,
and Lawrence Richmond saw from the
flash upon the others face that he was
doomed.
Again the soldier clutched him, and his
face, purple with passion, looked more
like tho possession Of flend than a
human being.
"You have played me false and now
shall bring ruin upon you. told you 1t
was dangerous game playing with fire,
and 1t seems you would not heed it. Tho
consequences be upon your own head.
Do you hear me, traitor?"
His hand had caught the old mans
throat, and in his fury of madness he
would in all probability have ohokod
Lawrence Richmond, for the few guests
present were SO filed with horror that
they could move neither hand nor limb
but at this junction the form of the mys-
terious foreigner darted across the floor.
One hand fell upon the shoulder Of the
crazed soldier.
"Just in timo to prevent the charge Of
murder from being added to the list OF
crimes OF which you stand accused, my
dear count"
The Captain did not relax his grip upon
the old man, but, as the voice Of the
stranger reached his cars, 1t was OBJ
served that hc not simply shivored, but
shuddered like man with the ague.
He slowly turned his head, his face
still scarlet, and there was look In his
eyes that was most wonderful to behold.
but whether OF fear or defiance, or both,
1t would have been hard to say.
For half minute he looked at the man
in black over his shoulder The light
deserted his eyes and sullen fury alone
ragged there.
"What do you seek2" he finally de-
mandod.
~ seek you, count. Be careful how
you carry yourself II you would not have
all made known here," returned the now
conner.
Cunning crept into the eyes OF tho
Captain, and he proved himself the son OF
the Evil One by his actions. Some men
would have been foolish enough to have
flown ut the stranger, and have been de-
teated, but he was too wise for such d
false course.
"Gentlemon, you will excuse me for q
few minutes while retire with this per.
son and explain to him the mistake
under which he labors," said the Captain.
OF course those present murmured an
audible assent, at which the mysterious
stranger smiled. and came very neal
laughing.
II e accompanied tho Captain, however,
and there were somc who saw that he
held in his hand little revolver, which
was kept hals concealed. Evidently. the
foreign gentleman hHd no intention OF
being overpowered by treachery.
Capt. Grant went away with u strange
look upon his face, rs If of mingled hate
and shrcwd cunning-a look that would
perhaps have alarmed the foreigner had
he noticed it, and boon more cautious
but he was not willing to give the count,
as no called Grant, credit for the saSacitJ
he really possessed.