The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-12-07

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ne Three MASKS.
About seventy miles from Londnn,
westward. there was, at the period Of
which We are about to write, Q small,
struggling village called Grayford.
That village has long ceased to exist:
wherefore, will be explained hereafter.
About two miles from Qrayford, to-
wards the mighty city," the London
Road was met and crossed by three
or four other roads, and this conjunc-
ton Of ways had formed itself into o
large and perfect square, and from q
huge solitary tree which grew beside
one Of the cross roadA at the spot
where all united, was called and known
and well known, too, - One Tree
Square.
An awkward square for strangers
travelling ON dark night to arrive ut,
since to read the directions ON the nm
ger-post which stood near to where
the roads conjoined was then Of course
an imposdbinty.
And indeed the directions on that old
and timeworn post were not easily
read even BY daylight, since most Of the
letters Of which they had been com.
posed had become illegible.
Beneath that large, solitary tree,
three cersons were standing-and an OF
them were clonked and masked.
Clouds were scudding rapidly across
the full moon, now briefly obscuring,
now for few moments revealing her
brilliant light.
But the moonlight reached not those
three masks. Standing beneath that
tree, they were in most complete
shadow. r.
Any one might have passed almost
within yard Of them, and yet have
seen them not.
II am weary Of waiting thus" said
one Of those three persons.
Have patience, the moment Is at
hand"
It was q woman who first had spok-
en-.
But 1t was q mans voice which had
replied to her.
And both had spoken almost In q
whisper.
1t was a man, too, who presently
eaid, in low and husky tones:
II am nipped up with cold-you
said you'd got some brandy, master"
"Yes; but wait, wait"
II can't wait, -"
The master" ms he had been termed,
starply commanded the grumbler to
be silent, and then all three listened,
and the sound of approaching carriage
wheels WIS heard.
ut is he" whispered the woman,
and the words slightly trembled on her
lips.
been called master, and drawing the
other man quickly away with him into
Q deep, dry ditch by the way.side.
The woman remained standing near
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
we're In ambush. A gentleman descend
ed from the vehicle and advanced to-
wards the tree.
Those who were watching him, saw
that q 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
Il %oL1 fhNr0n
lbeemingly without intending 1t, to keep
her face averted from the newcomer.
To this man she displayed ring,
and he then, after kissing the child,
placed It within her arms.
II need not entreat you to TAXI good
care Of the treasure now confde to
you" said the man who had brought
thither the infant.
The woman made no answer. The
Mun bowed to her, and then returned
to his chaise and drove away again.
The other two men emerged from
their conccalment, and rejoined the wo.
man beneath the tree.
The moment the man who had
brought the child had turned to 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.
"tiivc me some brandy, or Ehan't
have courage for the job" the other
man hoarsely whispered.
The master" gave to his coarser com.
panion flask, the man swallowed
hastily q portion of its contents, and
the woman then thrust the child into
his outstreched hands.
mot here-not herew said the wo
man, trembling and averting her head
The man carried the child on to the
London Road, and, standing in its cen
ter, drew forth q poniard, and struck
with 1t the infant sleeping in his arms
At the same moment, the rumblinG
Of wheels was again heard. but still al
some considerable distance.
And at that moment, too, the ruf
nan cast the child down in the road
and reeled and staggered towards &
copse by the wayside.
"P0lsoned!-oh, what an idiot to be
10 caught am poisoned" And he fell
and lay in the copse writhins with an
sxcruciating torture.
The master having seen the blow
struck, fled with the woman rapidly
from the spot by one Of the cross
roads.
The mail coach came spanking along
on its way towards London.
The horses suddenly swerved to one
side Of the road; and the coachman
looking to see what had occasi0ned
them to do so, saw what appeal I'd to
be q bundle lying on the ground.
He called to the guard, who i'm.
mediate1y 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 fifth Of Feb
ruary, in the year one thousand eight
hundred and seven.
CHAPTER II.
Dupliclty.
vlscount Dareleigh was very old
man, feeble and suffering, had long
indeed, been tottering on the verge
| Of the grave.
And, alone in his extreme old age,
was residing at Dareleigh Park-n no
BILE mansion and estate which he pos
sessed. about two miles from the vii
lage Of CRAWFORD.