Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-09-21
CHAPTER VI.-COntinued.


thoughts, Louis had taken from a
small plush box which he carried in
his hand, mass of trinkets and bun
die of letters, and was telling the lovely
creature that wrote them the contents
of each, that she might have another
test of his love. This pleasing task
finished, the trinkets and letters were
replaced in the bundle, and Mary, TAX
ing piece of blue ribbon from her
hair, tied the package securely and re-
turned it to her lover who carefully
deposited it in the box. Then, aware
of the lateness of the hour, Louis fitted
an oar between the sculling pins and
quickly sculled the boat to its usual
landing place.
Arm in arm they wend their way
slowly to Mary's home. The good
bye's are said. but leavetaking seems
to be fraught with sadness on the part
of both.
Can it be the wierd and ghostly
night on the lake has made their hearts
heavy and cast d gloom over farewell
which is only for day? Or did they
see, and dare not tell the other of what
they snw, the shadows of men who
thought themselves hidden behind the
shade trees that lined the lane? Did
the presence of those men in such hid
ing places, at such q time, betOken
harm TO the lovers? If either thought
so neither betrayed the thought by
word on look. A pressure of the hand,
loving kiss, 8 trembling good night, ?"
and the lovers parted, not for day. as
each fondly believed, but for years
Years full of sorrow and sadness-years
full of gloom and death.
Mary fingered on the threshold of
the door and by the light of the moon
saw her lover disappear into the little
grove which grew between the two
forms. 1t was only few rods then to
his home, and he surely must reach it
in sasety. Why not? Nothing yet had
harmed him and why should she think
there was danger in his pathway now?
Striving hard to throw off a nervous
ness that seemed to press upon her
heart, she shut the door and retired to
her chamber.
Louis had gone but short distance
IN the grove when two stout men
bounded from behind the trees, and,
quicker than it takes the pen to tell it,
they grappled with him, forced gag
into his mouth, pinioned his arms be-
hind him. and then noiselessly hurried
him through the grove, past his home
where he could see the light in the
window, then across the fields to road
where wagon and two horses were in
waiting. Louis was made to take
seat II the vehicle, and one of the kid
napper5 sat by his side, and the other
caught up the reins and drove slowly
towards the east. He was informed
that If he kept quiet and made no eff
forts to escape, nor sought in any way
to give an alarm, and would promise to
not attempt to communicate with any
person, the gag would be removed and
his arms unpinioned. Believing his
only hope of escape was to gain
as much freedom as possible
Louis made the promise. He was
told he would not be harmed if he was
submissive and went quietly with them
wherever they desired, but at the first
attempt to break away or cry out for
help or by look or sign to attract the
attention of any person they should
meet on the road or in cars or on boats,
he would be shot, let the consequences
30 them be what they might. They
would take all risks.
Louis realized that he was in the
hands Of desperate outlaws. Why he
was in their hands, and what was to be
done with him was a mystery SO cum
ningly planned that not thread was
exposed that would aid him in unravel-
ling it. Perhaps they had mistaken
him for another, and when the mistake
was discovered they would let him go.
To all his inquiries his keepers gruffly
refusedt to answer. So Louis concluded
it would be wise to acquiesce to their
wishes and make no cutlery.
After q day and a nights ride halt
was made in a dense growth of woods,
and Louis was led to a large dugout in
the side of hill land compelled to take
up his abode there. From time to time
he overheard enough of the converse
tion which passed between two of the
men to learn that 1t was the desire of
third. who seldom showed him.
self to keep the young man a
prisoner until the accomplishment
OF certain purpose, but what
the purpose was Louis could not obtain
the least intimation. One day the third
man brought sum of money, which
he divided between the two jailers.
Hardly had the man disappeared be-
fore his two associates were planning
now to get rid OF their charge without
the knowledge of their companion.
1t was finally agreed that they should
take him to New York and ship him as
a deck-hand on some vessel bound for
some distant foreign shore.
They would thus get rid of their
prisoner without further trouble to
them. and, as far as cOncealing him
from his pursuers was concerned. their
plan was better one than to keep
guard over him in the cave. and they
could not see why the purpose of his
imprisonment could not be attained,
just as we'll.
To suggest was to act. In another
hour the team was ready, and the
three started on their Journey.
Reaching lake port they embarked
on sailing vessel laden with grain.
The lake trip consumed several days
and then nights ride and part of the
next day brought the party to the City
OF New York.