The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-03-16
CHAPTER vII-(Continued.)

''SOmeWheer in the mountains, the
yeoman answered II don't think as
that queer place had name, but l do
remember as I used to send my letters
to Somewheer in Kansas-that's what
/ think the place was called; but then,
Dick did say as he had to ride some
fifty mile or more to get them"
"You mean the Rocky mountains.
SUPPOSE" Herbert suggested.
sure" the farmer answered; but II
you be so good, my lord, as to look at
dhis ERE scrap-it's the last letter |
1ver got from Dick, an perhaps it'll
bring to your mind, if it be so that
you've forgotten him though it do
seem strange and no mistake.
He produced from worn RUSSIA
leather pocket-boOk a faded sheet OF
paper, the folded edges and creases of
which had become ragged by wear.
Herbert had to exercise care not to
tear it while unfolding it.
Dear Fred" it ran "luck's mine at
last, and yours, too, through that.
have found gold, bushels and bushels
of gold The only difficulty is to get
1T safely. / have written to young Mr..
Herbert C1auncey, who is hunting
about 200 miles from here, and l ex-
pect him here within the next two or
three days. Give my love to Susan
and the chicks. and tell them that
Uncle Dick will look after them now.
Don't speak about this to anybody till
you hear from me again, as it might
be dangerous if it got to be known be-
fore the proper time. If you do see
any Of the young ladies at the Towers,
tell them that their brother Herbert
was hale and hearty when last heard
erom him, and if things turn out as L
am sure they will, you will see us both
fn the old country before Christmas
comes round. I'm afraid that this will
miss this months mail. l was going
20 send it by a neighbor of mine, Mr..
George Madame"
The young man thought his heart
was about to stop as that name stared
aim in the face. He recovered in a
moment, however, and went on as II
nothing had excited him.
but l was afraid to trust him, and
] have to send this by an Indian mes
senger, who, as likely as not, will get
drunk at every station before he gets
TO Fort Bent. Good-by, dear Fred, and
God bless you. Your affectionate
brother, Dick Ashland"
He had read the letter aloud, and
his clear melodious voice reached
every corner of the room. While thus
engaged he had not noticed that Lucy
had entered. But as he looked up he
saw her. pale as death, leaning against
the wall for support with eyes nearly
starting from their sockets. The re
semblance of the living man to his
dead brother had frightened the girl
cut of her wits, and Herbert, not guess
Sng the cause of her illness, rushed to
her side and placed her half fainting
on the sofa. A sip of water refreshed
her. and the cheeks that had been
white in anguish became flushed with
feverish dread. Every word of that
letter had cut deep into Lucy's heart
and the mention of her fathers name
had been like a deadly stab.
81 reckon I'll so to my own ROOM if
yeW don't mind, Herbert" Lucy whlS-
Oereu when she had regained her for
fitude. Il don't feel at all we'll"
Young Cleve loaded her with kindly
attentions and rang for the maid, who
escorted the girl to her room.
He had not breathed a syllable to
Lucy about his feelings concerning
that letter.
II am sorry, Mr.. Ashland" he said,
~that l have not the slightest memory
about your brother. | suppose you
have heard Of my misfortune, and that
will be my explanation to you. But L
would be obliged if you would leave
this letter in my hands, so that may
make further inquiries on the subject.
George Maclane, Dick Ashland's
neighbour he muttered to himself
when the yeoman was gone. and
Dick Ashland had never again been
r fn1IP
perate wounds on my head"
He arose and walked up and down
che room in a slow, measured tramp.
And Lucy" he continued in trem-
a1Ious self-communion, has had a des-
Derate quarrel with her father and her
cousin and will not go near them, ana
will have nothing to do with them.
And Lucy is a good true, honest girl
"a kindly, noble girl-who would not
Yeaye her father without ample real
son"
The tramp up and down became
eac+nr and a dark shadow settled on
the young mans brow
aT can see it ALL" he continued.
-esIucv knows something of this ana
Nor father and cousin are in 1t, only
she is too true to them even now, and
will saw nothing against them. II
tbere's treachery in it she'll never de.
no,,nce them. And she's right. or
course. Right and good as she always
is She can't be expected to be ex-
Dected to be witness against her own
Father. If ever the word brute was
written in a mans face it is In George
~NIaclane's. Dick Ashland" he mutt
tered. '.Dick Ashland! Dick Ashland!
The muscles of his handsome lace
contracted as if in pain.
"Godr' he exclaimed. 1t IS haru.
! xnhr can't remember? " by can't