Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-07-06

turn to Carey on foot, but N my hasIe
lost my way. When it was quite dark
l spied a light Singing through the
trees a little way frcfn where l stood.
| at once made my way to II.
l found 1t to be leg dwelling, the
front door of which was open, for the
night was warm. A lamp stood on the
table, which was set for supper, and q
woman stood before fire in the chin
ney, engaged in frying ham. There
seemed TO be but this one room and a
double bed stood in one corner Of it.
On the whole everything looked tidy,
peaceful and domestic. l knocked
lightly on the door, pushed 1t open and
entered.
She turned quickly round, disclosing
the comely form and face Of a woman
Of perhaps twenty-five, of q dark COM
plexion, with black eyes and hair The
eyes she fixed upon me with a wild,
magnetic look that thrilled me. At
the same time I noticed she turned fear
fully pale and seemed to be seized Will
some strong emotion, which l supposed
to be fright.
BE not alarmed, madam | was
beginning to say, when she suddenly
interrupted me in an imperiOus way
that no queen could have eXcelled.
Hush she said. with warning
gesture and quick stamp Of her foot.
who are you?"
a traveller who has lost his way anG
ventured here to claim your hospital
ity for the night
Where are you from last?"
Carey"
When did you leave there?"
This afternoon"
"On foot?"
mo, on horseback.
Il left him back in the woods. I
don't know where, for I became be-
wildered and lost, and don't know
whore ! am now"
She started straight at me in a way
that made my blood run cold, while
she fairly painted from some strange
emotions.
"Hark. she exclaimed, with a sud
den start, bending her mead to listen.
"They are comingl You could not
leave now without their seeing you. a
minute and you would be lost know
not why | save you, but l will at least
try. Go ND this ladder to the loft above
and remain motionless and silent il
you would ever see another sun
Her words and manner so surprised
me that l mechanically obeyed her in
structions.
But once up the ladder there was no
time to return and escape, for l now
heard voices quite near, and l drew
back to a broad crack in the floor and
in much trepidatiOn awaited results.
In less than a minuate three men en-
tered the house and the foremost,
black bearded, shock headed, rufianly
looking fellow, exclaimed with an
oath
well, Mag, we've missed him.
Glow is that?" asked the woman.
"Why, hang IT, we didn't get to the
place in time. The fellow had crossed
the valley and gone up the hill. He
took his horse up as far as he could
and then went afoot We saw the
horse hitched I'D there and waited for
him to come down, but ne didn't-not
on our side anyway, and We think as
how he must nave Smelled 4 rat ana
cleared. You havn't seen any stranger,
have you Mage
Not a soul since you left. jim
Il fear he has found his way back TO
Carey and will blame me, said voice
I fancied ! knew. AS l could see down
through the crack I at the same time
caught a glimpse of the speakers face.
Great heaven, It was Cranel And [
was the victim of plot which involved
murder and robbery
We'll" said the third man, another
runianly looking fellow, who had not
spoken before, Il don't believe he found
his way back. It's more likely that he
is wandering about the woods here
somewhere and can be picked up to-
morrow. Suppose we start at day
break and hunt for him.
"And why DO YOU think he didn't get