Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-03-09

moving Flora. he placed her tenderly on
rustic bench. Then, turning the
horses heads homewards again, he struck
them a sharp blow, and steeds and
vehicle soon disappeared in the distance
He approached the open, vine embow-
cred window of the cottage with an
eager face. 1t frightened quickly as he
peered in.
Seated in an old-fashoned rocker.
humming homely tune and sewing, sat
an old woman whose sad, patient smile
and slvered hair formed an aureole of
angelic beauty to that careworn face.
She looked up with nervous start as
he stepped across the threshold. Then
the slight token Of fear disappeared
from her face. aad she arose with eX-
tended arms and beaming eyes.
ooh! Mr.. Webster, my friend, it IS
you? Welcome! welcome"
Ray Webster looked earnestly into the
tear-stained, friendly face.
''Mrs. Alden" he said grayely, 81 see
you are surprised, you wonder how /, a
convict"
ga convict? A martyr! Oh, Mr..
Webster! do you think that for mo-
ment believed you guilty? [ have writ
CCll yOll, I'll lcu " SIC YOU
eyes, yes, lhnow. We will talk of that
later" interrupted Ray seriously. "Do
you remember telling me once, that if
ever was in trouble you would help me"'
Il would die for your cried the old
woman, her wan face flushing with the
earnestness of love and devotion" When
my poor crippled husband and myself
were turned from our little home in
Ridgefeld. you nobly saved us from the
poor-house. Your means purchased US
this quiet paradise, you crowned our old
age with peace and plenty, my husband
died blessing you, and command! my
life is yours"
Briefly, rapidly but coherently, Ray
Webster told his story to the old woman
She listened with a shudder as he
depicted the backness Of Arnold Dacre's
heart the misery he had wrought, her
eyes were one great glow of sympathy
| and love, as he asked her to care for
Flora Merwyn for few days.
''She must not return to Rdgefeld, ="
he said.
''But when she wakens the thought of
her father will lmpel her to hasten
thither."
cit must not be-you will tell her that
friend-a true friend rescued her from
the bank vault. She THINKS me dead
You must not enlighten her yet. Keep
her here until [ return"
''You are going away? You may be
recognized!'
81 will be careful" replied Ray, SOL
EMMY. 81 have a great work to do, and
and Tor the sake OF this beloved, be-
reaved, creature, I will not court dan
ger. But [ need money to prosecute my
plans against Arnold Dacre, | need dis
guise-"
The woman started.
'Stay!' she spoke quite excitedly. "a
disguise? The gypsies taught me a Gu
rious art once Mr. Webster, will you
consent to remain here until tomorrow
morning, if [ agree to furnish you with a
disguise that your own friends would
never pierce?'
"Can you do this?" queried Webster,
skepticly.
eyes"
He gave dubious consent. Flora,
still white and helpless, was brought in
to the hut, and Mrs. Alden placed her
on her own snowy bed.
''She has suffered @ severe shock, that
is ALL" she said comfortingly to the
anxious Ray. ''Do not fear. [ shall re-
vive and control her. Come with me
now"
She led the way to shed and to its
attic.
"You will be safe here if traced she
said There is a cot upon which you
can rest"
"But can not sleep, Mrs. Alden, -
demurred 7ebster. Every moment is
precious.
"Trust me-" smiled his hostess en-
couraginsly. "You will not regret it.
Drink this and she rendered cup, into
which she poured mixture from bottle.
Drug or sedative, it sent Ray Web
ster's wearied senses into dense but re-
treshing slumber almost Immediately. 1t
was daylight again when he awoke.
"A night-a whole precious night
gomez he cried, springing in dismay to
his feet.
''Do not excite YOURSELF spoke re-
assuring voice, and he looked up to see
his faithful hostess putting away cloth
mask, shears, pigments and some saucers
containing stains of various hues.
"Flora!" calculated Ray in a palpita-
ting breath.
! ''She is sleeping quietly. She revived
during the night, but I gave her COM
posing draught. Do not fear. l will
carry out your wishes regarding her.
And now you can go if you like, and
heaven guide you in the battle of right
against wrong"
Eyes, must co." repeated Ray slowly!
81 must secure disguise, must get
some money!"
The old woman pointed to suit OF
neat, home-spun clothes lying across a
chair, and to little bag heavy with
coin,
'Both are provided for you," she
smiled, II am thankful my little savings
come in so appropriately, and, believe
me, can spare them
"How shall thank you?' murmured
Webster gratefully, 'but the Disguise
these clothes will aid it, but my face