The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-06-26
SHE'S ALL THE
WORLD TO ME-.
By HALL GAME,
Author of THE Mdnrmdn," "The Deem
Stcr," etc.
CHAPTER XVII.

OgniZed Danny and his uncle, but lot
Christian Perhaps the darkness deceived
her, but she thought the other two were
Corteen and Killir lfter a few minutes
she heard loud yC from the cottage, |
mingled with terrific Oaths. If the police |
returned suddenly, and We're made wit
nesses of this turmoil, discovery and con- |
viction were certain. Mona Grept up,
meaning to warn the men and get them !
to put out to sea She knocked and had
no answer She tried the door, and it was
barred StiQ the loud quarreling cuntin
ued
Among other voices she recognized Kis-
seeks and Danny's. Christians voice she
could not hear, but in her perturbation
and the angry tumult any voice might es-
cape her Then came the pistol shot, the
cry, the fall and long silence. She
knocked again and yet again. She called
on Christian. She had no reply. She call
ed on Kisseck. Then came the words,
bill Is gone to bed" Somehow, she knew
not why, the words chilled her to the
hearts core. Fearful, distraught, in the
agony of uncertainty she fled away to the
town, Christian, where was her Had he
indeed passed her among the restP Was he
in that house when that shot was fredt
At whomY By whomY Wherefore2 The
suspense was more terrible than the real
ity could have been
Through Peel and on to Balladhoo Mo
ma ran with shuddering heart. She asked
for Christian first How well her fears told
her that he was not there, She asked for
the gardener Johnny Quark Balladhoo,
like Tommy Bill-beg, was away at the
waits Something must be done, for some
thing terrible had occurred. The hour
was late, but Mylrea Balladhoo would GER
tainly be awake and waiting the return Of
Kerruish Kinvig with intelligence of the
expected capture.
"Tel Mr.. Mylrea l wish to speak with
him at once and alone, said Mona.
In another moment Mylrea Balladhoo
came to the door with a lamp held above
his head to catch sight of his late visitor.
"Ah the young woman from Kinvig.
Come in, my girl Come in, come in. "
Mona followed the old gentleman into
the house Her face in the lamplight was
ashy pale, the pupils of her eyes were di
lated, her lips quivered, her fingers trem
bled and were intertwined
is Mr.. Christian at home, sirS" sale
Mona
Mylrea Balladhoo glanced up under his
pectacles What Kerruish kinvig had
once said of Christian and this young
woman flashed across his mind at that in
slant. "No, my girl, no. Christian Il
helping the Castle Rushen men to Lay
hands on that gang of scoundrels, yoI
know" H.
"He is not with them, sir, said Mona
with fearful effort
"Oh, yes, though; 1 sent Jenny afte
him to instruct him. But he'll be HON
SOON Iexpect him every minute. hop
they've captured the vagabonds.
1t was terrible to go on Mona lifted u
her whole soul in prayer for this old man
whose hour of utmost need had come. An
she herself was to deal the blow that mus
shatter his happiness. God help him,
she muttercd passionatoly, and the volur
tary prayer was made audible
Mylrea Balladhoo rose stiffly to his feet
He looked for an instant and In silence IL
to the pale face before him.
What is itS" he faltered with an a
frighted stare. "What news? Is Christia
where Is Christianp Have the scoul
drels-injured him2"
He was one of themselves, said MOI
and dropped to her knees in the depth
her agony
J,
tally, repeating incident after inciden
beginning again and again, explainin
excusing, praying for pardon and claspil
the old man's knees in the tempest of h
passion, Mona told the whole story as S
knew 1t; how she had heard too late tn
Christian had gone out in Kisseck's bOa
how she tried to compass his rescue; no
at the very crown and top Of what S
mistook for her success, the hand of fate
self seemed to have been thrust in to
ruin of all She finished with the story
the flight Of the four men to Kisseck's c.
tage, the quarreling there, the pistol 81
and the strange answer to her knock.
Mylrea Balladhoo stood still, with
stupid, bewildered look of one who
been dealt an unexpected and dread
blow. The world seemed to be crumbh
under him. At that first instant there v
something like a CHASTITY smile playi
over his pallid face. Then the truth ca
rolling over his soul The sight was fe
full to look upon He fell back with j
moan. But the good God sent the stri
EN- old man the gift of tears. He W
aloud and cried that he could better h
Dorne poverty than such disgrace "
ny son, my sonl How have you short
d my daysl How have you clothed
nth shamel Oh, my son, my sonl'
Ave was uppermost even in that bi
bur.
1t was not for this that Mona had IN
hr way to Balladhoo. She wanted h
Sic must find where Christian was
wether in truth he had been one OF
for who passed her on the mountain p'
Together she and Mylrea Balladhoo
otffor Kissecks cottage. How the old
the tottered on the way How low
head was bent as If the darkness II
hadeyes to peer into his darkened sou
When they reached the cottage In
quarry, the door was wide open. All
silent now. No one was within. A
die burned low on the table. The fire
Put A soft seaman's cap lay near
loch. Mona picked it up. 1t was Da
layle's They stepped into the kite
I shallow pool was in the middle OF
flor, and the light from the candle hiC
,eCin 1t. 1t was pool of blood
My son, my sonl" cried Mylrea Ba
no His knees failed him. and he
tothe floor. Tortured by suspense
widered, distracted in an agony OF de
he lad jumped to the conclusion that
wa, Christians blood and that he
bee murdered No protest from