Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-05-22

Better luck next timei" he cried,
hopefully, as he prepared for the next
trip.
The Beechwood to which his foot
steps We're now directed was small
town not more than twenty miles away.
He arrived just at dark and the train
halted at the tiny wayside station. A
group of idlers, as usual in country
towns, had gathered to see the train
come in" and closed carriage stood
near, as though waiting for some one.
As Arthur stood hesitating upon the
platform he saw woman, who had
evidently also just alighted from the
train, hasten toward the waiting car
riage.
She was dressed in deep mourning,
and heavy Grape veil covered her face,
entirely concealing it from view. Some
how q strange suspicion darted into the
detectives mind that somewhere he had
seen her before He started forward,
then drew back, low cry escaping his
lips.
The woman had disappeared. She
had entered the carriage and was
driven away at full speed For mo-
ment he stood wrapped in thought;
then suddenly arousing himself, he
Wild impulse had taken possession
of him, conviction that it was Ga
brielle st. Cyr who had entered the
carriage. He determined to follow it
to its destination. There was no time
to procure conveyance of his own, so
he must follow on foot.
1t was mad undertaking, but Ar
thurs brain was in whirl. He seemed
treading upon air. There was q
strange, light feeling in his heart
which seemed to impel him onward.
On-on! Still the carriage kept in
sight, and still Arthur Wynne never
relaxed the pursuit.
All at once a strange giddiness over
powered him, and he fell to the ground,
and darkness covered him.
When he opened his eyes he was
lying upon clean, white bed, in q
strange room, his brain in such q whirl
that he could not collect his scattered
faculties.
Where was he? What had hap
pened? And where had the carriage
gone, with the woman whom he felt
sure was Gabrielle ST. Cyr?"
He lifted his head, but found q weak
sensation creeping over him with the
exertion.
He felt that he had fallen Hill in
a strange place, and with his errand
still unfulflled. He uttered low
groan.
Instantly man arose from low
seat In corner and came noiselessly
to the bedside. A tall, wizened old
man, with an'unpleasant face, and long
gray hair and beard.
"Ah, my friend" he began at once;
so you are yourself again? My dear
Mr.. Wynne Ooh, yes, of course L know
your name), | congratulate you upon
your recovery from dangerous attack
of fever
when I found you lying upon the
road, in front of my house, thought
at first that you We're dead. But we
have pulled you through"
Where am II" demanded Arthur
striving to sit up.
The man smiled, showing all his
great yellow teeth an unpleasant
smile, which carried scratch behind
it.
"You are safe at Beechwood." he re-
turned, with q steady gaze into Arthurs
face, which made the detective shud-
der, for he felt certain that his errand
to Beechwood was known, since his
identity had been so speedily estab-
hshed.
"Who are you?" demanded the de-
tective, abruptly.
A curious light-a dull, brassy gilt
ter-stole into the mans small, keen
gray eyes. But he made no reply; it
was as though he had not heard the
question.
Pardon my seeming curiosity" Ar
thur resumed after a pause; "but I
would like to know to whom L am in
debted for my life. Who are you?"
he asked again.
The man drew nearer the bedside.
and, stopping over Arthur, gazed long
and meaningly into the pale face.
Il am Doctor Farmenti, of Beech
wood" he said. softly.
ITO ba continued l