Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-06-19

white ore-I love. Tho othor, an In
dian girl. has her fortune in diamonds
in her possession
Tho landlords eyes cleaned avail
ciously as Despard unfolded his plan
Marvin was t. act In immediate coli
luslon with them.
"The men in tho cellar will be insens-
ible till we are away" said Desra d,
"You get your wife to pretend to befriend
the girls.
@I'll fix all that, only must not appear
as being in your plot. 1t would hurt mo
among my customers.
"We'll manage all that"
Thus it was when, half an hour later,
Inez and White Fawn stole from the
tavern The landlady had pretended to
aid them but was only acting under
orders from her husband She told them
to go to an old huka few rods from the
house, where she would bring them
horses little latter.
She had left lantern with them, and
tho two girls stood silent and alone,
watching its flickering rays and anxious
" awaiting the wOman's return.
A wild cry Of dismay arose from Ihez
Tracey's lips, as the doorway suddenly
framed two forms In IN ment Des-
pard and Danton came into view. Fhe
latter seized the Indian girl Despite
her struggles, her arms were quickly
bound behind her.
"You have not escaped us yet" hIssNd
Despard, as he grasped Incz' arm "Make
no outcry II you value your safety"
Paralyzed with terror, poor Inez stood
pale and mute, shrinking In horror from
the triumphant face OF her onemy.
"Hanton," spoke the outlaw chief,
"you know your part Search the In
dian girl for the diamonds"
White Fawn did not speak, bnt her
dark eyes flashed iercely on the man
who had so wronged her. Danton ut
tered cry of delight as he drew from
the dress OF the Indian girl small box,
which he examined hast ly.
"The jewe So" asked Despard, eagerly.
ayes.
"Very we'll Secure them safely and
watch your captive"
There was mockiny smile on the facc
Of White Fawn, despite her perlous
situation.
snow, then," spoke Despard quickly
to the shrinking Inez, l have only few
words to speak to you"
"Miscreant! Will your evil plots and
prosecutions never cease?"
"Not until you arc my wife"
"1hat will be never"
ave shall see. | have your fortune,
in the jewels and the deeds to the lands
your father left you."
al care. not
"But l covet your love. II you wod mo
and go with me, yonder girl shall live.
Your lover Darrell Grey and your friend
Ranger Ralph are lying insensibe in the
rear OF the tavern.
Inez uttered a frantic cry Of grief.
Gall shall die, unless you wed mo.
Outside the hut is q magistrate. Agree?"
Poor Inez sobbod bitterly.
"Danton, kill the Indian!"
panten raised cleaning knife.
"No, mol" shrieked Inez, frantically.
II agree!"
Almost at the same moment Marvin
entered the hut.
It was q strange scene-a dread mock
ery-a delrlum Of emotion-in which
Inez only knew that she heard the words
that made her Dyke Despard's wife to
save her friends.
Almost in o swoon, she was led from
the hut and placed on horse. Des-
pard held the bride and mounted an
other steed.
"You shall hear from MS soon, Mar
vim, " he said. "Come, Danton."
They had left the Indian girl bound In
the hut. Ten minutes later utter 81
lence reigned over the scene. And In
the near distance, Dyke Despard was
bearing away the beautiful lnez-his
wife-successful, apparently, at last In
securing the fortune for which he had
so long and deftly plotted.