Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-03-15
CHAPTER XIV.

valerie ItOSS SdLcu WILL OIOW
after the retreating horsemen. She
mad played dangerous game, and was
not yet out OF the maze.
What if Roy should meet Count
Jura? Or if Alice should see Roy and
scream?
She grew pale and then laughed.
It was absurd, she was growing a
coward.
Had not Jura sworn he would start at
once for Italy? And was she not free
forever Of sight of the beautiful
girlish face Of her rival and the dark
sinister one of her brother?
She mounted the staircase and made
her way to Lady Darrell's room. Here,
she felt, she had one secure friend
and ally. Pride would trample all
other feelings under foot.
Lady Darrell received her quietly,
yet attectionately. She was Frustrated
by the blew that had fallen on Darrell
Castle, though she made no sign to
Valerie, by the knowledge Of the grief
her son was suffering. Unlike Valerie
had anticipated, she did not judge
Alice harshly, but even thought OF her
kindly, and could not diSpel a vague
feeling that the poor young wife was
in danger some where.
Meanw hilo. Roy and Frank Meredith
rode on quickly: both were silent.
Hope was glowing in Roy's breast; the
news that Alice had evidently carried
away the cards with Franks address
on them was ray of light in the grim
darkness. They seemed to reach the
ruins on wings, so swiftly did they
ride.
You know the place well," Roy re-
marked with half q smile, as Frank
eagerly pushed his horse on in the
nearest path: Though [ have lived at
the Castle all my life, never visited
the ruins till the other day."
''They have strange fascination for
me,n Frank answered with a laugh.
''Does no one ever come here?"
Roy shook his head.
''No; the villagers shun the Abbey,
they say it is haunted. Even the owner
never comes, but [ fancy it is not fear
of ghosts, but specters of sorrow that
keeps him away"
''Well, it is gloomy enough for any
thing" Frank exclaimed as they refined
in their horses, and gazei at the wreck
of what had once been a noble pile OF
masonry. II must confess [ think
Godfrey has fallen on the wrong track
this time, for even burglars would shun
it; and supposing they did think of it
as hiding place, what part could they
choose? it is all SO exposed"
Roy gazed round with a strange
thrill at his heart; the vision of Alice's
sweet, fair face. with the wondrous
eyes and trembling lips, rose before
him, and seemed to plead for help.
Frank Meredith must be right; she
had not wronged him, her husband.
She was wronged herself, perhaps in
danger.
He turned hurriedly to Frank, with
his face white to the lips.
"Something tells me here" he said
in a low voice, that you are in the
right. | have q vague presentment
that she is in danger. What shall we
do? 1t is terrible to think Of"
LET us ride around to the other
side," Frank said soothingly.
They moved on over the thick grass
and weeds, and glanced from side to
side, but nothing met their gaze save
desolation and decay.
Suddenly. with an exclamation,
Frank slipped from his horse, and
picked up something that lay on the
grass.
"What is it?" exclaimed Roy, alert
at once.
"a sovereign" Frank held it up.
''That proves conclusively that some
one has been here. OF course it may
be stray visitor, and not the men we
chased: yet you say no person ever
comes here"
$50 the tradition runs" answered
Roy, taking the gold coin a flush
mounting to his check. ''This looks
like a clue, Mr.. Meredith"
[TO BE CONTINUED \