Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-11-01

She had received letter in the early
mail, but no one knew from whom OF
whence 1t came. Then she had gone
| leaving haSty note for Mrs Marsder
which told her nothing, but begged hel
not to be anxious, and assured he,
again and again of Bessie's lifelong
gratitude and love.
| Mrs. Marsden was very much agi
tated over the young girls sudden and
secret flight. Her husband was away
| from home, and she did not know what
! to do
! Leave it to me- said Won Helder in
the simple and manly way which had
already won Mrs. Marsden's conf
dene, Il love her, and I will follow and
bring her safely back to you, even
from the snds of the earth
An hour later and he was on his
way, accompanied by one of Mrs.
MarsGen's faithful old colored SER
wants, to comfort and protect the
young girl when they should overtake
her in her fight.
Inquiries at the station and tele-
graph office soon satisfied him of the
direction she had taken, though her
motive was still in mystery The train
by which she must necessarily have
gone at such an hour, WIS the one
which stopped continually along the
way, while Won Helder had caught the
express; and it was a relief to him to
konw that with every passing minute,
the distance that lay between them
must be growing less
Luck served him all the way. he
never lost trace of her, and at nightfall
he boarded the train which would take
him to the town which he believed had
been her destination; though where or
with whom he should at least find her
he could not foresee.
All day long he had been troubled by
many questions Why had she left
her home and friends so suddenly, and
in secret? And was it indeed the let
ter Of the morning that had caused her
flight? The opal, too, with it's mys-
terry; and her low but determined
"Never, never" as she slipped from
his embrace; could it be that she had
fed from him? But why, then, and to
whom?
Still revolving these questions in his
mind, he was making his way from the
smoker to his seat in the rearward
car, when his eyes fell upon familiar
figure, and he stood still with a sudden
eXultant feeling of relief.
There she was, the girl whom all
that day he had been following and
gaining upon at every point along the
very weary, for her head had dropped
upon the cushion and her eyes were
covered with her hand. Silently he
passed, and i'll silence pointed her out
to the faithful colored woman. Then
he sat into vacant seat near by, and
his eyes never once left the small bent
head, with its bright masses Of rip
pling hair.
He felt intuitively that this was not
the time nor place to make his pres
ence known.
At last the train slowed up at the
station and Bess arose. Won Helder
and the colored maid arose also, and
left the car
AS she stepped upon the dimly
lighted platform a man of villainous
aspect approached her and rudely
peered into her face
"Oh, you've come after all. then,' he
said. L thought, in spite of your tele-
gram, you had given me the slip"
81 lost the train," Bess said YEARLY,
land now it is so late l will 60 right
to the hotel; there is a hotel near,
isn't there? and 1 will see you there to-
morrow"
I've had trouble enough to hunt you
OUT he growled, land Pm going to
have this business settled tonight.
You can come along with me-"
He laid his heavy hand upon her
arm, but it was Immediately
thrown off with violence and power
full figure stepped in between the two,
while the old colOred woman quickly
took her place on the other side of the
trembling girl. Don't you fear nuf-
fin, dearie," she whispered, Mis-
Marsden sent me to take care OBJ you
an bring you safe to home"
Hands off," Won Helder had said
imperiously. "Ihis lady is not without
friends, as you seem to believe. She
is going to the hotel at once, and will
appoint her own time for seeing you
there"
AS he spoke he had drawn her trem-
bling but unresisting hand through his
sturdy arm.
LET it be tonight, then" Bess said,
with new courage in her voice; an
hour from now"
Then as the man skunk back
abashed, Won Helder called a carriage,
and in a moment the three were roll
ing rapidly toward the hotel.
II will telegraph your safety to Mrs.
Marsden," he said, land you can tell
me as much-or as little-as you wish
chad to come" said Bess; 'the
letter was so unlocked for; Mr.. Mars
den was away, and 1 could not allow
that man-to come there, and bring
trouble into that peaceful home. There
seemed no other way
"What claim has he upon you?' Won
Helder asked abruptly.
After a moments painful silence
Bess answered: "He is my guardian
uncles son."
A deep sigh of relief escaped from
Won Helder. as the nameless dread
which had all day oppressed him, in
stantly passed away.
81 never knew of my uncle's mar
I,