The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-09-26
sWhat can 1t be?" he asked himself,

tle LTutu, OlQ 1elIOW, n6 SdlQ, again
addressing his horse, "and we'll take it.
Gaining his saddle, he rode toward the
mysterious edifce.
As he neared the foot-hill he saw that
long flights Of steps had been built be-
tween its base and summit, and realized
that a direct approach was quite in
order.
His resolve was soon taken.
He would ride slowly to the foot Of
the declivity, keeping good lookout.
If everything seemed right he could
hitch his horse at the base Of the hill
and take his way up the incline to the
mysterious dwelling.
If he saw anything to arouse his ap-
prehensions, he could beat retreat
He had nearly reached the foot-hill in
execution of this design, when he
noticed shed long enough to belong to
shaded wall and earth-works sugges-
tive Of masked batteries
The underpinning of the house was
very high and contained great number
Of small windows, bearing strange re.
semblance to loopholes
In q word, tho nearer the traveller
came to the edifice the more suspicious
did It appear to him.
At length he drew rein.
Should he advance or retreaR
Ere he had decided the question
woman appeared at one Of the front
windows and beckoned him to come,
nearer.
The next instant she emerged from
the house, taking her way briskly
toward the brow OF the foot-hill, from
which she again signaled him to resume
progress.
If she had been young and pretty he
might have refused, for fear OF some
plot; but she was old enough to be his
mother and as plain ss pickstaff.
Then, too, she was visibly in trouble
her every look and gesture displaying
anxiety and excitement.
Besides, what wac to be feared from
lone woman?
Nodding assent to her appeals, he
fastened to ride nearer the long success
ion Of terraces she was in the act OF de-
scending. .t
Il trust you wifi pardon me, sir, }" she
said, as she came to halt at the foot Of
the last fight Of steps just as the horse
nnn reached them. u see You are
stranger in these parts and hope you
will befriend me-"
A quick, searching glance told the
traveller that he had nothing to fear
from being civil.
81 am perfectly at your service, mad
am" he assured her.
aYou were not coming here to see Mr..
Morrow?S she continued.
4C~ til, &1A n~k
this moment was not aware OF his ex-
istence, or even Of the existence OF this
dwelling. New, is 1t not?"
xJust finished, SIR"
aAnd the owner is Mr.. Morrow"
The woman assented.
sI've never heard of him before, said
the traveller, "and my presence here has
nothing to do with him. My name Is Char
ley Baker. am mining expert, and
have been sent to the Musselshell by the
owner of the famous gold mine, Perry
Wynans-"
The woman interrupted him with a
violent start
sI've heard Of you,' she said, lowering
her voice instinctively. "Didn't you
have terrible fight yesterday with Sam
Gaddler?'
u did!"
THE fellow who is superintendent for
old Jerry .Skidder, and who Is in love
with his daughter. Daisyp"
@The very same"
sand you were nearly killled?"
II can't deny it."
sand would have been done up alto.
gether II Colonel Harvey Whipsaw, Of
Rattlesnake Ranch. had not come to
your rescueP"
sYou are quite right, madam"
aGood! Now let me give you q little
dences Mr. Morrow Is no Morrow at
all, but Is simply Sam Gaddler. He has
built this palace with the money he has
stolen from old Skidder, and has also
secured about ten thousand acres OF |
land around Us. 49,.
Charley Baker uttered his delight |
He was never more pleased. The in
formation thus reaching him seemed a
direct play into his hands Perhaps he
could yet get square with his enemy.
sAnd where Is Gaddler now?" he
asked
"He has gone to intercept Perry Wy |
mans and q young girl who IS travelling |
with him-a Miss Ellie Tower, who is to
marry Wynans, and who Is joint owner |
with him OF the Musselshel mines. |
They were due at Custer about one |
o'clock this morning."
ITO intercept them, dM you say?"
@Yes, sir" assured the women. @Old
Jerry Skidder and his daughter were on
the same train with WYnans, and they |
telegraphed to Gaddler from time to
time all the facts Of the situation
Charley Baker looked startled.
sand you think Gaddler will get hold
OF Mr. Wynans?" he asked.
sOh, the thing was accomplished with.
in few minutes after the arrival Of the
train at Custer"
The hearer seemed lost in horror.
sAll Gaddler had to do" pursued the |
woman, "was to disguise himself and |
appear at the station as hsck-drtver, |
offering his services to the young couple, |
which were accepted The moment |
they were seated in his carriage he |
drove them to q secret and solitary |
place, where he had number OF men IN |
waiting, and the rest was easy
$50 that they are now prisoners7'
Exactly"
sBut how do you know ths?s
sMr. Gaddler sent one Of his men
ahead to tell me, so that I would have
everything in readiness. am MIR.
Gaodler's housekeeper. My came is
Mrs Cotter."
sAh; then he is coming here with his
prisoners?" queried Baker.
Mrs Cotter nOddod