The record-union., 1895-09-14

puTpOso VI Ills, anu OV6FlOOkSQ Do-
lieve he is scoundrelly robDer himself
as well as gambler. We must watch
him."
Dear, dear, it is worse and worse"
said Lucy "Is it possible? o, it cannot
be-"
81 haven't the least doubt of it," said
Clinton. 81 hope we shall never see him
again."
II heard he left the flat this morning."
said Arthur.
"Then." said Lucy, 81 shall breathe
freer. Really. l shall be afraid to remain
here alone while you are at work"
"You can come down to the old cabin
by the claim when your work Is done
mornings, and remain until we come
home." said Clinton, laughing. Arthur,
l am sure, will not object, as il will be the
means of having the old place fixed up in
better shape"
II shall do it if that man comes back
again to the fiat" said Lucy. Ever
since saw that dreadful look in his eyes
have felt an indefinable dread"
20, there's nothing to be afraid of
now," said Clinton; ''he has gone away
and may not return"
Two days after the conversation re-
corded above took place. miner with q
pick and shovel on his shoulder stopped
at the cottage to ask for a drink of water.
lie had been prospecting over the hills,
he said, and was very thirsty.
Lucy brought cup of water, which he
drank Oft, but he at the same time
watched her so closely that she felt ex
ceedingly nervous. However, he thanked
her and took his leave.
What coward l am getting to be-"
thought Lucy. 'If anyone looks at me L
am afraid. But what hateful eyes he had,
and such mop of red hair"
The next day she felt so nervous
though she would scarcely own it even to
herself-that she went around the point OF
the hill to the old cabin and remained
until Clinton went home. On her way
she was sure she saw the miner with the
mop of red hair" standing by clump
OF trees upon the hillside above. Why
she should be afraid of that man. whom
she had never known or injured, she did
not know. The trouble was her nerves
were getting unstrung.
In the evening Arthur called. "What
do you think" said Clinton. I'VE will
have to move the cottage down to the
claim. Lucy is becoming too nervous to
remain here alone"
| Why" said Arthur, would it not be
better 10 fix up the log cabin and you and
Lucy live there for time, while | could
sleep at the cottage just TO protect it. ou
know"
All this was said at first in half banter,
but ended wholly serious. Lucy agreed
at once to Arthur's proposition, and so
earnestly that all eventually admitted 1t
would be the best thing to do. Just then
a quick footstep told that Tom Carter had
come, and in moment more he was with
them. Naturally they explained the
whole situation to him.
II haven't doubt that fellow is a rob-
ber." said Tom, land I'll tell you what
Pll DOLL go over to Highland Flat to-
morrow; parties there know all about
him. L knew he was the fellow as soon
as L saw him. He lied when he said he'd
never been there. The truth was he left
between two days. There were some
Nugget Hill people at Highland who
knew all about his rascalities. If they
can place him with these bandits they'll
not only have justice done, but get big
reward. PHI just follow the polished
gentleman up until he's located where
he don't wish to be.'
Evidently Tom was fully aroused. But
it was not his nature to be sober long-a
song, jolly story and hearty laugh
brought back the old order of things. and
all were happier because of happy Tom,
1t was plain that Tom greatly admired
| Lucy. ON their way home be came near
betraying his secret. Somehow, Tom felt
II he could be instrumental in bringing
Kirk TO justice, if he was proven guilty,
he would be conferring a great favor on
| Lucy, and he believed Lucy would not
be unmindful of it. And Arthur; WELL
he believed he was poor second in the
| race, but, after all, he thought there may
be truth in the old adsge, Everything
comes to him who waits.'
The next day was cloudy and windy,
and consequently, being more gloomy to
| Lucy, she determined, as soon as the few
| thugs needed at the log cabin were
packed, she would start out with her
basket and spend the forenoon in putting
| things to rights aud cook her first meal
| in log cabin.
At just O'Clock she put on her hat and
shawl, took up her basket and walked
/ briskly down the creek. She had COM
pleted half the distance where the ROAD
north intersected the trail when she met
a man with some kind of bundle upon
his shoulder. She could not see his face,
| though he came very near her. Suddenly
he threw a large cloth or bag over her
head and drew it tightly across her
mouth, so that she was unable to scream
| or scarcely breathe. In a moment she
| felt herself lifted and carried rapidly up
| the road.
There" said the man to another, who
| was evidently near in waiting, "Ive got
her all right"
Hand her up quick" said the other.
Whoa, Plunger; steady, now there"
| said he, as Lucy, struggling as best she
could, found herself on saddle in front
| of one of the men. and held firmly in her
|
| and really she was almost sutfocated.
Get your horse quick !" said the
| same voice, and III moment they were
| galloplng along some road, she could not
tell what, or the direction they were GO
ing.
After riding rapidly for little while
it seemed an hour TO Lucy-they loosed
the wrap about her mouth that she might
breathe, though her eyes were still ban
| daged. With her first breath, however,
she attempted to scream, and the band
| was frightened Immediately again. After
a time the band was loosened again suf-
ficently for her to cry 80, who are you
and where are you taking me? 0, stop,
STOP tor Gods sake, stop! O, why are
you doing this? Clinton" she screamed,
Clinton" but the band was drawn
tightly again, and, half-swooning and
dead with fright, they drove with in
creased speed, though they seemed to be
going over rougher road.
The saddle had evidently been pre-
pared for the occasion as it was quite
| comfortable, and she was willing to sit
upright to avoid a too willing arm of her
captor. Evidently they had left the main
road and were following a trail, as they
went single file. The band about her
mouth had been removed for some time
but she was not allowed to see. Over
and over again she begged them to tell
her where they were going and what they
proposed TO do, but invariably she had
| the same answer, Wait"
Her mind had been very busy specu-
lating upon this strange adventure and
she felt sure she recognized the voice of
| Kirk, and she also felt equally sure that
no one else would do such desperate
| thing as this; and furthermore she be-
lieved there was nothing too desperate or
! dread fIII that he WOnld not undertake. tn