The Portland daily press., 1897-11-30

and from information received I think
that man is at the bottom OF 1t all.
AS Kennedy spoke, the sharp clang Of
horses" hoofs resounded on the pavement
and man, mounted on a powerful mare,
gailoped into tue inn yard He was a
slight, yet powerfully built man OF
about thirty. dressed in tight-htting
riding coat, hunting brooches, and top
boots. His short and curly black hair and
small black moustache contrasted
strangely with his clear cut and hneiy
moulded features, which wore CHASTITY
pale
Captain Kennedy" he cried, leaping
from his horse, and throwing the bride
to "A groom.
Here. SIR" replied the Captain. ad-
ding in a low voice to the priest, = Mr.
Langford is almost out of his wits over
the affair. Poor gentleman! It's him
that offer the reward of % hundred
pounds. -
| The newcomer approached, and seeing
the priest took his hand and wrung it ST.
lently. His manner was full of deep
emotion and agitation. 10
"Well?" he asked eagerly, turning to
the Captain.
"There's nothing new, sir, I'm sorry to
say"
GIVE been over to the barracks again,
and questioned Jim Feeny. He contra
IDIOTS himself at every word. Last night
he said that only two men attacked the
car, now he thinks there were half a
dozen.
'sHe HASN'T rightly come to his senses
yet," observed Kennedy. "He'n sober
down before the formal inquiry"
"Do you think he's to be trusted" said
Langford. HE may be in league with
jhe ecoundrels.
''I'm sure he's not, sir. Jim S decent
boy, and was great favorite with his
mistress. Wall have to go further field
for the men we're after"
Langford's black eyes flashed, and his
lips were set tight together as he cried:
We'll find them if we search the
worldi"
Don't you suspect anybody yourself,
sir?'' said KENNEDY, with meaning
glance at Father John.
"Suspeo5?' I? cried Langford. 81 know
no one who would have lifted finger
against that angel
"Think again, sir" persisted the Off
Ger. Remember it isn't the first time
that Miss Powers person has been
threatened, and Oh former occasion,
though she knew her assailant, she
wouldn't say word to convict him."
"The blessing of all the saints upon
herl' murmured the priest. Her heart
was too kindly"
Langford seemed to reflect, fixing his
eyes on the ground and tapping his boots
| nervously with his riding whip; then,
looking up, he suddenly exclaimed:
"You mean that blackguard cousin of
hers, Patrick Blake"
| Kennedy nodded, and the other con
tinued: ''It can't be! l won't believe
1t! I know the fellows a drunkard and
q blackguard, but after all, he's gentle
man and her own kith and kin"
| Kennedy could not repress a smile.
| tsrrhat'G iuGG III sir as I WAS AYDlain-
ing to his reverence. If Miss Power
hadn't inherited the estates under her
aunt's will, Patrick Blake would have
been the heir, and if Miss Power dies in
testate, as they call 1t, he inherits after
ALL Then, just recall what took place
castle. You weren't the only one, sir
forgive me for saying itl, he thought
her worth the winning. Patrick Blake
began by oursing and threatening the
lady who displaced him, and ended by
hanging after and wanting to make her
his wife. She sent him to the right
about, as he deserved. After that, she
was attacked when riding on horseback,
and had to ask for police protection. She
knew we'll enough who was guilty, bat
she held her tongue, because she was
kind hearted, and he was her kinsnan.
The second time, when she thought her
self safe close to her own houss, black
' y
saved her. Put this and that together,
Mr. Langford, and you'll see we're not
far wrong. At any rate, I'm going over
with my man to Blake's place this morn
| ing, and if the fellow can't give right
account of himself, we'n have him safe
under lock and bolt before night"
AS the officer spoke, LangfoTd listened
with intense interest, uttering from
| time 10 time nervoGs exclamation, as
the force Of Kennedy's arguments seemed
| to dawn upon him.
'.It looks black he mGttered. "You
say you are going there nowf"
"As soon as the horses have had q
feed.'
''Then IN ride over with you, and if it
is as you say
He paused, clutching his riding whip,
and his eyes flashed dangerously; then
as Kennedy walked away to give his Or
ders, he turned to the priest with a look
so forlorn, so despairing, that the good
fathers heart was stirred to the depths.
"God comfort you, sir!" said Father
John. cts you that loved her as the ap-
pie of your eye, and it's myself that
hoped to speak the holy words that would
have made you man and wife"
81 had no chance that way" repelied
the young man sadly. had nothing to
offer her but an old name and barren
acres. But you're RICH, loved her with
all my heart and souli''
Half an hour later the car, containing
Captain Kennedy and his armed police,
was driving rapidly northward. in the di.
rection of Newport, followed by another
car, on which was seated the poorly frame
of Father John O'Donnell Just before
they started Langford had galloped away
in the same direction
Ito be continued.)
~ 81