Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1891-04-21

sound. Gag him. Then we'll make
sure.
lie was ol-yrj Tie man attempted
10 make resistance. bat be was quickly
oycrIowrrci and forc-d into the other
rom, where the rag wa- applied.
Fountain looke'l upon the scene with
undisg,ii-rd amapmcnt Tom waited
for him o. sT-ak. Finally. having ~
covered from his nstonishment, be said.
May iask the meaning of this strange
scene. Mr.. Bryan'
MAY ask the meaning ~ this strange
disgiiss. Mr. Fountain rctortsd Tom.
pointing to his clothes.
Fountain blush-i. but dii not reply.
Il will relieve your astonishment.-
continued Tom sternly, after a moments
silence "Thi. !. rr-cuing party.
These men arr detectives A giTl was
abducted Ia broad daylight this morning
and confined here. She has Just been
taken away. having t-cn rescued by my.
LII and friends Her name. Mr foun.
tain. 1. Annie Templeton-a sister % the
murdered Templcton.-
Fountains face expressed neither
alarm nor fright. nor anything else but
intcnsc surprise AMI interest.
We arr nov waiting for the absiuc-
tor. added Tom.
~ that. tho ca.c. Mr. Bryan. IL were
h,tisr that r,tirr."
lie turned .? go io the door
Tom made a dgn to the two detectives.
They sir:Tei forward.
Pardon Tue. Mr Fountain. you can
not DO that. All Who enter here are un.
der aTr,st
Light broke la on Fountain. and With
Il intcn.. anger Ile turned on Tom, his
eyes blazing.
"I-I under arrest You'll find that
am not o. l.. triilsd with
Tom interrupted him In a hard. cold.
metallic voice. low in tonei
NO hsro,cs. Mr Fountain. You are
NV pfisoucr until you can explain your
presence hrfe In lhi. den. on this partic.
ulAr night You can fnghten no one
here. we'r. u-ed "a just such naughty
scoundrels A. yOu ar. just A. We are %
,ici0u. n-cal. like the one lying Ia
there. lie. twice a, dangerous as you
can ever L..
The cold s,lf possession and master.
fulns.- ~ Tom Was irritating Ia the
highest degree a. Fountain. and u ever
hi. basie,l LII command vas ncc,ied
by him ii was at that moment. ApPcar.
anccs we're - strongly against him that,
angcrc,l a. be was. be- could not fail 81
rcalik. a.
By violent effort he put a curb upon
hi. I,Assion. and In a moment hs said:
"You think am the sbductorf'
Il don't think IL; I'm certain % IL"
"You are mistaken" This was aid In
a tone - cold and As hrm a. that Tom
had used.
Indeed aid Tom. Perhaps you
can explain this enigmatical note.
lie handed to Fountain the slip %
PAPER which had l.cn taken from the
Torket - Scar Top Johnny.
Fountain read IL and handed IL back to
Tom.
II know nothing Of IL
Ton vas somewhat dumfounded.
Then be rrcollccted the reputation of
,h. man for coolnsss and nerve.
Fountain Ia turn took ffom his vet
pocket a slip VI papsr. and handing is
10 Tom. saidi
Pleas read that, and compare 10
with the crap you have"
Tom icad.
"If Mr. Fountain desires to 80 Marian
and tall with her be- must come Ia NO.
- Moti street, attic fioor. at II sharp to-
night"
Tom took the other slip from his pock'
Q, and compared the two, the writing
WAS In the same disguised hand; he CON-
pared the two scraps-eyidently they
were torn from the same piece of paper
Tom was puzzled.
you are an hour b-fore your time.
be said.
IL read IL ten said Fountain. Let
me look at il. Oh. ! sec how made my
mistake" Then ho continued: This -
very mystsriou. You and should
have an understanding. Mr. Bryan. Will
you step aside With mey'
They went To the dormer window.
Il am here" said Fountain. lin Ole
dience 10 that writing Where you ob-
tanned the other paper don't know"
prom the pockets of that scoundrel
lying on the noor in the other room. re-
piled Tom.
III you will permit me, iwill explain
I Am here la this drrss because of the
place ! was to visit and the part OF the
town I was to pass through. For some
time I maintained a relation with a
young woman whose name was Marian
SUMMERS. This relation was continued
until became the atlianced Of young
lady. whom you doubtless know by
name, bat who should not b. mentioned
In this place and In this connection.
When that took place. the relation with
Marian became an imPOSsibility. The
girl was Ioath-it l. mild word Tor
her feeling - 10 break up the rela.
ton. and we parte,l In high pass.on,
but ,he had SECURED certain papers
" mine, of escc.,iing great value and of
great damage to me In any other pr
sons hands. lhaye tired again and again
to obtain them. She hss sent me several
messages Of this kind. ami IL was TO gc
into the strange places she led me 20,
that bought this suit ! have never
met her, though ] have responded In
each instance. had little hope of see.
INK her tonight, but these documents
were IL such value to me that did mol
dare to mis- the chance. You have ths
whole story without reservation, except
as to the character of the papers. As q
tho-e. can only say they were letter.
TO my mother and written statement
Of hers. which can now only concern
me-"
Tom thought be- saw IL all.
"Mr Fountain" be said. with THU
statement Of yours now. think know
more about the matter than you do.
think I zee through u all think
could even tell you the nature OF YOU
mothers statement. You are the victim
Of the same plot which has the murderct
Templeton and the abducted girl for VIC
tins. It touches the effort 70 secure olt
ps.x~onss~-