Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-11-02
CHAPTER I.
TIVE VENGEANCE or A RIVAL

In the road, which was bordered by
rocks and trees, he came upon scene
which at once fixed his attention.
Not ten rods ahead two persons,
mounted upon horses, were approach
ing at walk--the one coarse-looking
man OF five-and-thirty years, In q sail
or's holiday suit; the other girl OF
rare beauty and grace, whose years
could have hardly numbered eighteen.
They were flushed and excited, and en-
gagged in angry contention. The man
had even seized the girls bride to pre-
vent her from flying.
is this your final deoision?" he was
asking.
1T Is, was the quick answer,
But why do you refuse me3 Are
you in love with the young fellow who
visited Cape May last summer, and who
saved your life in the surf-that Ralph
Kemplin?"
The question was unanswered, save
by look of increased scorn and roster
glow of features.
'That is the secret of your refusal of
me, no doubt" continued the rejected
sutton. Il noticed at the time that you
and Kemplin seemed smitten with each
other. Have l not fathomed the. mo-
tives of your conducts"
you have no right to ask me these
questions, returned the girl coldly and
haughtily. IAN have to say to you
is that l will never marry you"
"Then this ride may as we'll end
here"
Slipping to the ground the man led
the horses into the wooded solitude
beside the road, coming to halt. This
bold proceeding naturally surprised the
girl, but she lost no time in alighting,
pale with q sudden increase Of anger
and disgust.
"Since you act in this vile manner,
she said, defantly, ~ will return to
town on foot"
She moved away as she spoke, but
her oppressor seized her roughly by
the arm, OBTAINING her. His eyes
glared and his brawny frame trembled.
mo; you shall not return on foot
nor in any other way" he declared.
Under the circumstances, am not
going back to the ship myself"
"What them"
81 am going to turn outlaw Since
you won't marry me, Mazda Stepp, you
shall never marry anybody-never re-
turn to your father even! I'll hide In
the woods and caves of the interior,
taking you with me by force" .
VILLAIN how dare you touch me ?"
cried the girl. Let go Of my arm this
instant !"
Il won't lot go! Since you won't be
my wife, you shall be worse than a
slave |"
He looked up at the immense preci-
pices by which the Nuuanu valley Is
closed inland, as If invoking their awful
solitudes, and clutched the girl still
more tightly.
II hear that robbers and cut-throats
have been seen in these hills, he add
ed rapidly. "All l have to do is to
disappear with you, leaving 1t to be
supposed that we have been murdered.
No help can reach you in this lonely
spot"
Here our young Chicagoan appeared
to the view of the couple, advancing
swiftly toward them.
Miss SteppI Is it possible?" was his
greeting.
Ralph Kemplin! Thank Heavenl"
She was already free, thanks to the
CONSERVATION Of her assailant, and flew
to the protecting arms of the newcom-
err, Nesting upon his breast.
"You see, too confident stranger,
said Ralph, with airy and scornful in
tonation, as he looked over the sunny
head Of his charge at the rejected suit
or, who stood as If thunderstruck, that
you have counted your chickens before
they are Matched. l am here just in
time to constitute myself this young
lady's protector. At the least further
insolence to her, will prepare you for
admission to the nearest hospital.
"Sir! L"
mo reply is necessary. A crowd Of
people are coming around the bend,
and you've barely time to hide in the
woods and caves Of the interior, as you
just now threatened. Be off at once. "
An instant the bafled villain hest
tated-long enough to assure himself
that several naval officers, on their way
to the Pail, were just coming into view
around the bend newfoundland then
he sprang into his saddle, dashing away
at full speed. AS prompt and rapid as
was his flight, however, he was not yet
out of sight when Mazda Stepp, with
her rescuer's aid, was again mounted
and on her way to the capital.
after what I've seen and heard,
said the young Chicagoan, as he
walked beside the girl, when the naval
officers had passed, Il must, OF course.
congratulate you upon your change OF
escort. But, and his eyes kindled and
his voice softened, Il must also con-
graduate myself.
A swift flush leaped to the girls
cheeks.
"You came just in time, Mr.. Kemp
lin, she murmured, shuddering. That
villain would have dragged me away to
horrible fate"
Who Is he?"
His name is Hank Ripple. He's
first officer of the NOr-'wester, my
fathers ship, now anchored in the har-
Dor. | had no idea of his real char
acter until this hour. He has bothered
me with his attentions ever since we
left home last fall, but I supposed him
to be harmless. l wanted to see the
fall very much. Aunt Alice was not
well enough to go with me, and father
was too busy. Mr.. Ripple offered his
services, and we had no misgivings
about accepting them, so carefully has
the villain kept his real nature hidden.
Il see. You have been well and hap
nv since / saw Won laSt?
"Yes, thank you. always enjoyed
good health. and am ALWAYS happy, ="