The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-08-26
tcopyright. 1895. by J. B. LppincOtt COL
XI1.-CoNTINUED.


Ludlow rose from his knees and pro-
ceeded to dump the contents of the
valises upon the bed, whistling softly
to himself as he did SO. "The schemes
as clear as diluted daylight, and it's
worthy of graduate of Scotland
Yard" he said. There's only one
point that's little misty; you've given
yourself q part that'll ask for heap
of downright cold-blooded nerve, Hugh.
What have you done with your respect
ed traditions of inherent cowardice,
and the like"
LEFT them in the hole up on the
mountain, hope" replied Ringbrand,
struggling into the clothing handed
him by Ludlow. Anyway, that's just
what / want to find out. On two oc-
casions within the last three days
have managed to scare up courage
enough to stand up to danger like
man, but the conditions were such as
would hare made raISit turn and
fight. Whist wa1: tc know now is if
the inspiration were merely an ex-
aggeraiion of the instinct of self-de-
feIse, or il really did gain victory"
'sWell, you're certainly in fair way
to settle the question if you carry out
your programme. Has it occurred to
you that your calm denand will prob
ably te answered with couple of rifle
oalis?"
'"Pve thought of that, but I mean
20 take the chancec--if I don't weaken
and maie failure Of the whole af-
Sc..r."
Ringbrand completed his hasty toi-
let, and they went down to the din
ing-room, where Mrs. Ludlow was watt
ing to serve the returned wanderer.
He took his accustomed place and made
a ravenous onslaught upon the hastily
prepared supper that astonished and
gratifed the sympathizing hostess.
"How dreadfully hungry you were!'
she said, calling Aunt Nina to rcplen-
ish the empty bread-plate. Haven't
you had anything to eat all these days"
''Not very much. I'll tell you all
about it the first chance get
''Are you going away to-night? she
asked, when Ludlow went out to hitch
up the horse.
"Yes; we are going up to The Lau'
rels,' and it may be late before we gel
back"
e I'm so glad! If you're going there
III be good and not ask n single ques
tion-until tomorrow"
"Why are you glad?"
because Hester is worried, and
want her to know you are alive ant
we'll"
They heard Ludlow drive out to th'
gate, and Ringbrand pushed back BIZ
chair. "Have you anything else to tel
me?" he asked.
She shook her head with precise en-
4 ergy. mot single, solitary word
except that you're to give my love u
Hester"
'.Tll certainly do that" he promised
Good night" And he ran down tn
~ walk and sprang into the phaeton be
a side Ludlow, who drove off rapidly u
the mountain road.
The colonel and his son were sittin
on the veranda when the phaeto
turned into the avenue, and Hester
grieving silently in the darkness of he
room, heard Ringbrand's voice answer
ing the hearty welcome of her fathe
She ran to the stairway, stopped m'
mept to regain her self-control, an
then went down to meet him. The
had all gone into the parlor, and whe
che followed them Hester felt for
swift instant that the whole worl
might read her secret in her fac
Ringbrand rose to meet her, and toe
her extended hand in both of hrs.
told you good-by for some purpose at
er all, didn't /, Miss Hester2" he sal
smiling.
II should think you did" she a
swered, reproachfully. Where in Il
world have you been? And what max
you look so thin and pale?"
II tumbled into q hole on the mou
tafn,T he explained, and, leading her
chair he seated himself beside h
and recounted his adventures, Garrett
~ suppressing all mention OF t