Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-03-16
CHAPTER XIV.
man..
THE SECRET,

THE SECRET.
1.-THE package?" cried Arnold DaCre,
his whole being rising with exultation,
hope, and suspense.
Tom Cupples nodded and gaspcd Then
he family articulated.
at was a manila paper package, Mr..
Wharton gave it to me Tuesday night. :"
at is the same!' cried Dacre, trans
formed with excitement and expectancy.
''Quicll, man! you have it? give it to me.
1t Is mine"
Cupples shook his head slowly, as if to
Indicate some negation to the rapid
queries of his interlocutor. He tried to
speak and sank back, the sound gurgling
in his throat spasmodically.
'Speak, | tell your ordered Dacre
liercely, amid his eagerness, losing sight
of the mans weak and helpless con-
dition He told you to give me the
package. You have it. Mop"
The noddng head moving nervously
from side to side tried to answer him.
''Then you know whore it tsp"
Oh. the plotting heart took hope, for
Cuppes indicated strong affirmative.
where is tp"
CuppIes made u motion for more water.
1t mois tened his feeble vocal organs
"IIe gave it to me-hide it-he said,"
painted the invalid, in scarcely audible
tone.
''Yes, yes! brace up don't weaken!
and--you hid it?''
eyes,
"Where?"
"Too long to tell you'll haven't the
the strength. Far away l thought he
so ordered t-safo place.
These sentences were spoken in dis
ionted gasps. Upon the utterance Of
each, the haleful plotter hung as if his
life depended upon their significance.
Coming back-I had u stroke. Hurry
--excitement--did it. l never thought
to get home | met q charcoal burner
near-near Deepford. He wrote the
would-iorgot."
"Wrote it?" stormed Dacre with sud
don alarm" "Why. he will go and get
it
"No. Does not know-what is hidden.
Started for here. Another stroke. Done
UP. | am going to debut l obeyed-
my friend my dear friend - my dear
friend"
His eyes closed, and he subsidized into
silence and rigidity like to that Of
death.
Grouse up!' shouted Dacre, shaking
him fercey. THE directions-the pack
aCe!'
'In the cave-in my pocket-no-this
one left side of my coat. Water-wa-
ter
Arnold Dacre sprang to the table for
tho glass. Before he regained the side
Of the PROSTATE man, however, with
violent conVulsion, the latter sank back
senscleSs.
He's gone or goingr muttered the
schemer hoarsely. ooh! will the paper
tell. Yes. Yes. it is here-it is here,
glory l have it.
From the mans inside coat pocket, he
drew forth a paper. 1t was creased and
married with charcoal dust. About to
open it, he glanced at the door sus-
piciously.
Some one had pushed it open trifle.
He fancied he heard the low breathing
of some one lurking there's
us there some trap in ths?" he ground
out suspiciously, mo! no! The man was
too sincere Who are you?"
He sprang suddenly to the door and
opened it. Upon it's threshold stood
stranger. He was peculiar-loo
man, dressed in home-spun, wearing blue
spectacles, and with face as tawny as
that of an Indian
'Whatd do you want?' demanded Dacre,
scowling snspiciously.
The stranger regarded him fxedly and
unabashed.
BEG pardon" he said, in a low, I'M
natural tone, but Is this room for
rent?"
''Yes-no-I don't know-ask the land
lady,"
He slammed the door shut and locked
1t this time, with such force that cur
rent of air generated struck the frail
lamp on the table. There was sharp
snap, and the glass chimney shattered
into a dozen pieces Endeavorng to
turn down the smoking wick, Dacre
burned his fingers badly.
"Perdition seize it," he raved as the
smarting pain Of the fiery contact caused
him to tip the lamp over on the table.
He managed to blow 1t out before the
oil had spread Then he started for the
door, but he halted irresoluteiy.
The man was in wild fever OF i'm
patience. It seemed as II he could not
wait till he reached his own room to
read the contents of the precious docu-
ment secured from Tom Cupples.
There was an open crate in the apart
ment Seizing an armful Of old papers,
Dacre flung them into the fire place.
Snap-tlare! lucifer flashed UP. He
threw the burning match on the pile.
II famed up with herce, snllen roar.
Crouching to the hearth, Arnold