The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-09-05

VIII mention that you are waiting TOR a
train, and will only be here to supper"
The room was tenantless at the mo-
ment they reached it, and they eat down
near an open window looking out upon
the street.
3Here are three thousand dollars,
Efe," remarked Wynans, producing
wad of bills, (which would like you to
conceal under your corset or in some
other safe place on your person. have
retained in my own hands something
more than thousand, which will doubt
less be ample to take US to our destina-
tion. Here, also, is will I made eleven
months ago In your favor, giving you all
the real and personal property OF which
l may be possessed at the moment OF my
death. Take good care of this also"
Elie concealed the will and the money
IN her bosom with an air which attested
how deeply she was touched by these
evidences of her companions kindness
and confidence.
@Of course we are not going to track
less Wilderness" continued Wynans,
smiling. 1--WE can get almost everything
we need in the principal towns Of Mon
tana. The only drawback is that prices
are exceptionally high in the more mac
cessib!e quarters. For these and other
reasons I have filed two large trunks
with all sorts Of supplies for the house.
hold, including whole pieces OF sheeting,
muslin, dress goods, cloakings, hannels
and linen. selected them with especial
reference to you, Ellie. and have no
doubt you will be pleased with them"
Ellie could not help thinking, as she
expressed her thanks, wnat awonderrui
man Perry was, and the tender, admir-
ing look in her eyes deepened.
"There is one very important point
would like to impress upon you" contin'
ued Wynans. @We are going to neigh
borhood where our lives, for time at
least, woulG not be worth q pinch OF
salt if our identity should by any means
be discovered. Your other uncle, Jerry
Skidder, is in full possession OF my
mines, and has given out that they are
entirely his own-a position he has been
able to take through the fact that I
have not yet placed my deeds on record
at Lewistown, the capital OF Fergus
County. Until have secured some sort
of footing in Montana, we must be very
wary. From all hear Of your uncle
and the crew around him, they'd snuff
US out at the first intimation OF our pres
ence as quickly as one can extingutsh
candle"
Ellie assented gravely. She compre7
hended only too we'll the perilous nature
of the expedition in which she was about
to embark.
ait is essential, therefore," proceeded
Wynans, sfor US to keep our identities
carefully concealed. You had better ad-
dress me as brother, when you have
occasion to call my attention before any.
one, and Twill address you as my dear
and sister, We had better give out
any occasion arising-that we are going
to Lewistown, and we'll call ourselves
Doctor Do!!igef and sister We can
add that we are going to Montana to set
tie on a rancn we have purchased.
Receiving Elfie's approval, he excused
himself for moment, proceeding to the
Office. =
When he came back, she fastened to
meet him, seeing that he had tele-
gram.
ats from Mrs Rankle.n he said.
sShe cannot be here till four o'clock.
Probably she missed the train, or is
otherwise detained"
aThe interval is not q long one," re-
marked Ellie, returning the telegram.
aDon't let me detain you, Mr.. Wynans.
If you have anything to do, or any fare
well calls to make, can amuse myself
in your absence"
II packed up definitely this morning.
he REPLIED, sand am all ready for de-
parture, now that you have joined me.
Didn't your mother tell you, not long
before she died, that you were to see me,
in case your visit to your uncle should
not be satisfactory"
II was to see you in any case, " de-
clared Elfe mamma often said that I
was not to lose sight of you, as she
knew you would befriend me, the occa-
sion arising"
A step resounded on the adjacent
staircase at this moment, and young
woman of singular appearance came
striding into the parlor, with her head
tossed aloft inquiringlY. She was not
without beauty Of vigorous, original
type, but she was rudely and even
wildly rustic in both garb and manners.
@Have you seen my pa, miss?" she de-
manded, in a voice as strident as her
walk, as she halted near the couple.
@No, MISS" replid El6e @But we have
only been here few moments"
"Well, I think it's shame that he
don't return and give me chance to see
something before dark. I'm so tired OF
being Shut up here like a bear in
trap"
aWho is your pap" asked Wynans,
with the kindly intention OF interesting
the fair stranger, and so shortening her
interval Of waiting.
Hes jeremiah Skidder, OF Mussel-
shell, Montana" was the reply, "and ]
am Daisy, his only daughter"
What surprise for Ellie!
This rustic creature was her own
cousin!
Ere another word could be said, how
ever, q series of rapid and heavy foot
steps resounded in the stairway, and
Daisy bounded toward the door, exclaim-
ing:
"Oh, I'm 80 glad! Here he isl"