Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-15


CHAPTER AT the beginning of
the civil war Valentine Weldon was
suspected Of the murder of his brot tn
or. Frederick, who had disappeared.
DIR. Blanchard married their sister.
He became widowtr. and years a.
ter the supposed murder went west
with his children. Howard, Alice and
Clara. Captain Brandon conducted
the train when it reached the far
west. Two bad characters. Henry
Kyle and Font Roth. joined them.
II-Henry Kyle soon leaves the train
and visits his father and sister,
Nora. who attempt to turn him from
his evil life. 1.-Two lawyers
named Bliss come to the west from
Virginia to attempt to force the
Banchards TO relinquish the Weldon
estate. Tho Blisses ally themselves
with ono Bouton and his gang, who
arc ready for any villainy.
CHAPTER ".
Captain Brandon and Alice Blanch-
ard were admiring the scenery from the
top Of u hill overlooking their camp
when Howard came up and informed
them that a youn:: man had come into
the camp who wished to see the captain.
They descended tho hill and made their
way to the place where the pillars Of
smoke marked the sight of the camp.
AS they nearcd the tents and huts a
Young man of graceful form and strong,
handsome face came out to meet them.
He extended his hand to the captain
tho other hand held his hat-and asked:
Are you Captain Brandon?'
81 am" was the reply.
II have ridden fast to see you, sir. 4"
said the young man. MY name il
Louis Kyle"
Louis Kyle released Captain Brandon's
hand, and blush Of modest confusion
covered his handsome face rs he felt the
eyes of Alice blanchard were on him.
Kyle! Did you say your name was
kyle?" asked the captain, his baud to
his eur and his head bent forward
Eyes. SIR"
You look as IL you might be broth
CT II Henry Kyle"
II am" replied Louis, and the blush
IN the down covered cheeks deepened.
"You live with your father far back
In the heart Of tho mountains?s,
Eyes, captain. and have lived there
since my earliest rccollections
And you say you have ridden hard?"
Very hard, sir
Then you must eat and rest. After
that you can tell me the object of your
visit. In the meantime let me say that
you a.c welcome to our camp, no matter
what your object may be-
Captain Brandon turned and intro
duccd the doctor and his children, Clara
having joined them ~ they entered the
camp.
Unaccustomed to the forms that rule
IN society, but with . courtliness that
was natural and graceful, Louis Kyle
shook hands with each, and if he held
Alice's hand little longer than he did
the others IL was because he was SO
magnetized by the touch, SO fascinated
by the beauty Of her form and face, as
to b. wholly unconscious Of the act.
Bowling by way Of apology for what he
was about to do. he said to the captain:
Could speak with you privatclyY'
Certainly" replied the captain.
Come this way"
81 have come to warn you Of q great
danger. 1t il one that you may be
guarded against, but doubt il the or
binary prccnution will meet it. Bouton' s
gang and fully score Of renegade Irdi-
ans arc in the mountains to the south,
and they are fastening this way with all
the speed of their horses"
How do you know this?''
II cannot explain it to you now"
said Louis Kyle, Gverting his face.
But You should give me your rea-
sons for your fears as well rs the wsrn-
ing" urged the captain.
do not ask me To- do that. Iwant
you to believe in my integrity. To ex.
plain all might lead you to doubt all,
for the homer Of ones own name should
be very precious"
II understand you. Here, give me
your hand again" The captain took the
young mans hand and continued, 1T
Is terrible thing. very terrible thing,
for brothers to be arrayap one agains,
the other"
NouAu ui' 10 save my prOCnCf,
said Louis cxcitedly, ''but better that
he and all Of the name should perish
than that . great wrong should be done. ~
II agce with you. Better that all
should perish than that o wrong should
be done. Better the name should h
blotnsi out il its purity cannot be main.
taincl But pardon the depression.
When men reach my age, they are ap,
to philosophers. I do not want to b
considered gazTulous. - =
"Nor arc you. Your thoughts, Cap.
tain Brandon. are such as daily think.
Bat you have warned me not to epeal
u myself when more important mat
tors arc conce ned"
''You mistake me-" interposed thu
captain But the young man waved hi,
hand and continued:
PROM the fresh trails passed no,
two hours ago am certain that we an
now under the eyes Of Bottoms gang. >
"You could not be mistakens''
"Nc. His Indian allies are scoutine
within riflc range and waiting for thei,
leader 60 come out"
''And when do yuu think they win b,
here?"
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