The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1892-06-04

along TO his work WITH n PICK upon
his shoulder, and q tin flask in his
hand.
1t hen was half-past five, or per-
haps q little later.
"Have you passed a blind gentle
man on the road?" l asked.
81 amt passed 'im," he answered;
"but us I come by the cross roads l
see some 'un, rs looked gentleman
like, kind 'er fumbling his way along
he road do WI by Harley bottom"
| knew the cross roads; they were
nearly two miles distant: 1t was in
comprehensive to me how Van Hoeck
had strayed so far from the Abbey;
but the laborer's description left little
DOM TO: doubt that it was Van Hook
he had seen, and I started at once in
the direction indicated.
Icould not see Van Hoeck from the
crossroads, but, on tn ming the angle
of the lane at the foot OF tine hill,I per.
ceived him feeling the way with pain
full slowness, and on the side OF the
%hedgerow, q hundred yards in ad-
vance. Hearing my step he
turned, and, recognizing it,
came to meet me. He seemed to for
get the danger OF making a false step,
and advanced with eager" quick
ness,--his whole body partaking
the expression of anxiety ira
printed on his features.
els it you, Thorne?' he called.
eyes," | replied.
"Nhat has happened?"
I waited until l got up to him, then
putting my hand on his shoulder, |
Il have bad news for you, Van
Hoeck."
He trembled violently under my
hand, and opened his lips to speak,
but no sound came; his condition
was pitiab!e, and to keep him no
longer in suspense, I said,-
II have lost it. 1t has been taken
from me-"
"Who has taken it," he asked, in a
thick, husky voice. .
II can not say. Icould not see the
man who robbed me-"
lie was silent for n time, and then
his feelings found expression at first
in ex%ecration, then in incoherent SEN
fences, broken up with words ofDutch
where the English tongue failed to give
sufficient force to his anger and NOR
tification. He assailed mo with every
kind OF invective, accused me of COW
aidice, OF completely in robbing him,
OF l know not what baseness and
heartlessnes s,-indecd, it seemed. as
though the blow had deprived him Of
reason for the moment. At length,
when his passion was somewhat ex-
hausted, he said,-
"And what is your d~efense?"
took his arm, and, as 1 led him up
the hill toward the crossroads, went
was telling him how Lola had come
to my rescue, he stopped me.
THAT is a lie!!" he said; for she has
been with me.
"Impossible!" l exclaimed.
Impossible according to your
story, but it is the truth for all
that. I got off the path, and could
not find my way back. She led me to
q road-God knows where!-and left
me-"
"When?"
GLOW can 1 tell? The night has
been an age"
"Granting she led you for an hour
and you would scarcely SUI
fer her to lead you longer
that would allow her to return to the
Abbey, and come to my rescue at the
time I speak Of"
"Have it AS you will; it makes no
difference now. She got me out of the
way, and that was her object in being
there. Go on"
/ came to the end of my narrative,
and then suggested that the theft
might be traced to one OF the SER
wants. >,
"Anythingto shield Brace" he said
bitterly; and then, stamping his foot,
he added, "You know he took it'll"
1t was useless reasoning with him in
his present condition.
"You stand convicted by your
own statement" he continued:
"what ordinary thief would be
fool enough, having obtained the
diamond, to wait there, risking dis
covery. and jeopardizo his own life
for the sake OF butchering> you? If
Brace was the theft, such a thing is
possible; for he must kill both you
and me to profit by the possession of
the diamond. Where is lie nowl'
with Lola, in the woods looking
for you!"
'Vhat already!"' he exclaimed, in
alarIn, He is losing 10 time. Where
are the woods?"
ave are in them now replied,