Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-08-16

Gaining his saddle, he rOIe toward inc
mysterious Cdifce
As he neared the Tooth he saw that
long flights of steps had been built be-
tween its base and summit and realized
that direct approach was quite in
order.
His resolve was soon taken.
He would ride slowly to the foot OF
the declivity, keeping a 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
nyster GUS dwelling.
If be saw anything to arouse his ap-
prehensions he could beat retreat.
He had nearly reached the fOOt-hil in
execution of this design, when he
noticed shed long enough to belong to
cavalry barracks, ard several bits OF
shaded wall AMI earth-works sugges'
tive of masked batteries.
TIE underpinning of the house was
very high and contained great number
of small windows. bearing strange re-
sembla:ce to loopholes.
in q word, tho nearer the traveller
came to the edifce the more suspicious
did 1t appear to him.
At length he drew rein.
Should he advance or retreat?
Ere he had decided the question
woman appeared at one of the front
windows and beckoned him to como
nearer.
The next instant she emerged from
the house, taking her way briskly
toward the brow of the foot hill, from
which she again signalCd him to resume
progress.
If she had been young and pretty he
might have refused, for fear of some
plot; but she was cd enough to be nis
mother and as plain as pickstatf
Then, too, she was visibly In trouble,
h}r every look and gesture displaying
anxiety and excitement
Besides, what was to be feared from
lone woman?
Noddng assent to her appeals, he
fastened to ride nearer the long success
ion of terraces she was in the act OF de-
sc ,nding.
al trust you will pardon me, sir, )" she
sa d, as she came to halt at the foot OF
the last fight of steps just as the horse
man reached them. 81 see you are
stranger in these parts and hope you
will befrend me-"
A 1uick, searching glance tod the
traveller that he had nothing to fear
from being civil.
81 am perfectly at your service, mad
am" he assured her.
"You wee not coming here to see Mr..
Morrow" she continued.
certainly not" was the roply. Until
this moment | was not aware OF his ex-
istence, or oven of the existence of this
dwelling. New is it nOt?"
"Just finished, sir"
"And the owner Is Mr. Morrow"
The woman aSsented.
"I've never heard of him before" said
the traveller, "and my presence here has
nothing to do with him. My name is Char
lev 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
vio'ent start.
awe heard of you," she said, lowering
her voice instnctively. Didn't you
have a terrible fight yesterday with Sam
Gaddler:"
81 did,"
"The fellow who is superintendent for
cd Jerry Skidder, and who is in love
with his daughter, Daisy?"
"The very same"
"And you were nearly killled?"
81 can't deny it
"Ard would have been done up alto
gether if Co'onel Harvey Whipsaw, OF
Rattlesnake Ranch, had not come to
your rescue?"
"You are quite right, madam
"Good, Now let me give You little
information in return for your conf
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 u.s.
Charley Beker uttered his delight.
He was never more pleased. The in
formation thus rea hing him seemed
direct play into his hands Perhaps he
could yet get square with his enemy
"And where is Gaddler now" he
asked
"He has gone to intercept Perry wy
mans and 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 Musselsheli mines
Thev were due at Custer about ono
o'clock this morning"
"To inter, ept them, did you say?"
ayes. sir" assured the women. "Old
Jerry Skidder and his daughter were on
the same train with Wvnaus, and they
telegraphed to Gadd,er from time to
time all the facts of the situation"
Charley Baker looked startled,
@And you think Gaddler will get hold
of Mr. Wynans?" he asked.
"Oh, the thing was accomplished with
in a few minutes after the arrival OF the
train at Custer
The hearcr seemed lost in horror
"All Gaddler had to do" pursued the
woman, "was to disguise himself and
appear at the station as a hack-d driver
offering his services to the young couple,
which were accepted The moment
they were seated in his carriage he
Il owe them to a secret and solitary
place, where he had a number OF men IN
waiting, and the rest was easy"
$50 that they are now prisonersY"
Exactly"
"But how do YOU know this?"
"Mr. Gaddler sent one Of his men
ahead to tel me, so that l would have
everything in readiness. [ am Mr..
Gaddler's housekeeper. My name Is
Mrs. Cotter
"Ah; then he is coming here with his
prisoners?" queried Baker
Mrs Cotter nodded.
"And what time will he arrive?"
L.