Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-12-06
CHATTER Il.
The Three Maskk.

Road was met and crossed by three
or -four other roads. and this conjunc-
ton Of ways had formed itself into n
large and perfect squire. and from a
huge solitary tree which grew beside
one Of the cross roads. at the spot
where all united. was called and known
n well known, too, as One Tree
Square.
An awkward square for strangers
travelling on n dark night 10 arrive al,
since 10 read the directions on the fin
ger-pOSt which stood near 10 where
the roads ~conjoined was then of course
an impossibility.
And indeed the directions on that old
and dmeworn post We're not easily
read even by daylight, since most Of the
letters Of which they had been COM
posed had become illegihle.
Beneath that large, solitary tree.
three persons were standing-and all OF
them were clOaked and masked.
Clouds were ScuddinC rapidly across
the full moon, now briefly ohScuring.
now for a few moments revealing her
brilliant light.
But the moonlight reached not those
three masks. Standing beneath that
tree, they were in most complete
shadow.
ANY one might have passed almost
within a yard of them, and yet have
seen them not.
Il am weary Of waiting thus" said
one Of those three persons
Have patience, the moment is at
hand"
1t was a woman who first had spok-
en-.
Rut it was a mans voice which had
replied TO her.
And both had spoken almost in a
whisper.
1t was 4 man. too, who presently
said, in low and husky les
Il am nipped up with cold-you
said you'd got some brandy, maStel."
Yes: but wait, wait"
Il can't wait. -
The master" as he had been termed.
sharply commanded the gTumhler 10
be silent, and then all three listened.
and the sound Of approaching carriage
wheels was heard,
1t is heE' whispered the oma
and the words slightly trembled on her
lips.
BE firm and ready" said he who had
been called master, and drawing the
other man quickly away with him into
a deep, dry ditch by the way-Side.
The woman remained standing
the tree.
The Chaise which had been heard ar
rived by one of the cross roads. and was
stopped at about two hundred yards
from the spot where those three people
were in ambush. 4 gentleman descend
ed from the vehicle and advanced to-
wards the tree.
Those who were watching him, saw
that a child, warmly and comfortably
enwrapped. was lying in his arms.
The woman quilted not the shadow
of that tree: but as the man carrying
the child approached, she removed her
mask, taking care, however, though
seemingly without intending it, 10 keep
her face averted from the newcomer,
To this man she displayed a ring,
and he then. after kissing the child,
placed il within her arms.
Il need not entreat you TO take good
care OF the treasure / now contide to
you" said the man who had brought
thither the infant.
The woman made no answer. The
man bowed TO her. and then returned
TO his chaisc and drove away again.
The other two men emerged from
their concealment. and rejoined the wo-
man beneath the tree.
The moment the man who had
brought the child had turned Il leave
her into whose custody he had given
it, she had rapidly replaced her mask.
Now. and he speedy" said he who
appeared to be the principal in this
business.
"Give rue sonic brandy, or I shan't
have courage for the job" the other
nan hoarsely whispered.
The master gave TO his coarser COM
panion a flask, the man swallowed
hastily n portion Of its contents, and
the woman then thrust the child into
his outstreched hands.
Not here-not here" said the wo-
nan, trembling and averting her head.
The man carried the child on TO the
London Road, and, standing in its cen
ter, drew forth a poniard, and struck
with ii the infant sleeping / n his arms.
At the same moment, the rumbling
Of wheels was again heard, but still at
some considerable distance.
And at that moment, too, the ruff
fan cast the child down in the road,
and reeled and staggered towards a
copSe by the wayside.
"Poisoned-ah, what an idiot 10 be
so caught-I am poisoned" And he fell
and lay in the copse writing with an
e~xcruciating torture.
The master" having see the blow
struck, fed with the woman rapidly
from the spot by one Of the
roads.
The mail coach came spanking along
on its way towards London.
The horses suddenly sweryed TO one
side of the road: and the coachman,
looking TO see what had occasioned
them Il do so, saw what appea:h TO
be a bundle lying on the ground.
He called to the guard. who i'm
mediately alighted and snatched up the
child. which was covered with blood.
All this that we have just related hap
pened on the night Of the nth OF Feb