Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-03-30

The old plotful nature asserted itself,
as he drove back the road he had ira
versed the night previous. Yes, he must
find Flora and her whereabouts? Ray
Webster certainly knew. Could he
wrest that information from him
threaten, bribe, cajole? He would try it,
at all events.
1t was high noon when Dacre came
in sight of the little town. He pro-
ceeded at once to the hotel. Seated
at sumptuous repast, he was joined by
the toxy-eyed, sinister-faced boniface.
''Well," smirked the latter, 'you look
as if things were going your way"
''They are," acquiesced Dacre spirit
eddy. "What about the man with the
blue spectacles?'
''He as calls himself George Graves?"
eyes"
''He was arrested last night"
s'And is now in jail?"
EXACTLY. 1 had it done quietly. He
never resisted. I didn't tell the officers
who he was"
'Good!'' cried Dacre, "that just suits
my plans, wish to have talk with him
before we send him back to the peni
tentiary.'
by the way. I have found out some
thing more about him that may interest
you." spoke the landlord, with a covert
grin.
''What is that?"
Yesterday he sent little fellow from
here with letter.
"a letter." repeated Dacre interest
eddy.
''Yes, the boy delivered it. 1t was at
a lonely hut down Ridgefeld way"
Arnn15 Doora'c flo chaH rnr1v
''He brought back an answer. When
it came, you see, we couldn't deliver it,"
"Why not?'
''Ha! ha! our specracled gentleman
was in JAIL see?''
Then you still have the Ietter?''
''Yes'
''Where is it?''
''Here.'
The landlord handed over missive.
1t was addressed to ''Mr. George Graves,
Deepford." Evidently, Ray Webster had
written to Mrs. Alden at the lonely cot
tage concerning Flora Merwyn, and de-
tailed his plans, and asked her advice.
Without ceremony or compunction,
Arnold Dacre opened the sealed en-
ve]ope.
Eagerly he scanned the enclosure.
1t read:
':Flora is perfectly we'll. I was compelled to
tell her ell. She has implicit confidence in
your plans, but begs you TO be careful and
wary of the man you are tracln9-a shreWd,
heartless villain"
''Thanks." muttered Arnold Dacre,
with a grim, bitter smile. ''That means
me? Now Them to the landlord, "can
you tell me where this lonely hut is?''
''Yes,'' and brief direction followed.
70
ments. Quick thoughts came to his
ready mind
He had located Flora, she was in
charge of Mrs. Alden, unprotected,
alone, except for her guardianship
Like a general marshaling his forces
before battle, the cashier arranged the
various complications in the case in
hand. He held the advantage in every
way. He had the fortune, could he, by
subtlety, force or fraud, win the girl?
Evidently, a clear, bold, plan was
suggested to his mind, and he acted upon
it. He looked up at the foX-eYed
boniface.
"Do you want to make hundred dol
lars?" he asked.
"Me? l should say sou
Every well. Didn't you tell me yes
terday that you were a justice of the
peace"
81 was, once. Yes.'
Not now?"
''No.''
Dacres brow clouded. Then he con-
tinued:
at don't matter-you were authorized
to perform marriage ceremonies"
"CertainlY."
''You could strain point, and per-
form one now, couldn't you?
but it wouldn't be Legal
elbow is an ignorant person to know
that? Once a justice, always Justice.
ha! hal" and Dacre slapped the hesitat-
ing boniface Familiarity on the shoulder.
Come, it's cash! Saddle two horses"
''All right. I reckon you wouldn't
lead me into any trouble"
''Not a bit of it.
An hour later, both men drove from
the tavern in the direction of Ridge
field.
sWell. where now," queried the land
lord.
ITO the place where the boy took the
letter." answered Dacre.
Mrs. Alden's huu?"
sYes"
"Very we'll, only"
''Well?"
Don't you want to see the prisoner in
the town iail?"
''Oh! that will keep, until return"
They proceeded down the traversed
highway. At a point several miles
ahead, they diverged. The way was
tortuous and difficult. Dusk was falling
as the landlord halted finally.
There you are," he announced
MrS Adams ontforaC,s
s'Yes"
81 don't see it,"
''That light straight ahead"
"Oh, yes! Now, you wait here, will
you?"
Certainly, I'm under you orders"
Arnold Dacre dismounted, and made
his way through the tangled underbrush
towards distant point of light.
He advanced more cautiously as he
came upon the vine-em powered cottage
whittier Ray Webster had conveyed the
bankers prosecuted daughter a few days
previous.