The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-24
GALL RIGHTS REsEEvED.)

hOW-and IN the oGneF case they oOuld
only do us harm. have heard my father
made with the poor English lads who
We're taken by Greek br1gands twenty
wears ago-he was in Athens at the time
am afraid we must act as ii this thing
was serious
81 quite think with you" Mascall said,
looking suddenly up.
"Oh. but that is horrible-too horri-
BILE, Miss Carnaway murmured.
Come, you mustn't lose your cour-
age" Lawrence said, appealingly. "We
shall want all your nerve to help US"
''Oh, [ shan't give way" the girl said,
proudly. "You may trust to mel"
'Yhat's right, my"
No doubt Lawrence was going to say
my darling" at least it is possible that
he.was; but he did not say it Perhaps
ha remembered in time the presence of
no matter how fervently-'my dear Miss
Carnaway." Anybody might have said
that. Then Lawrence went on hurriedly:
81 don't myself believe that this thing
is real. don't believe in this gang Of
modern British brigands."
why not?'' Mascall asked, sternly.
You were talking yourself, just now,
of the deviltry of modern civilization. Is
it not everywhere taking US back to dia-
long thought that this Selling of rich
men and holding them as oaptives to ram
som, was the very form of crime likely
one day to break out in our large towns.
What could be more terrifying for the
victim-mere safe for the oriminalY' He
became white with emotion. His words
and the energy of his convictions struck
new terror into poor Miss CarnaWay' S
heart.
81 don't dispute that" Lawrence said,
after q pause, during which he had
looked fxedly at Mascall II don't see
why such q scheme should not succeed
for time. In the end we should all get
our backs up, and for the sake of the
community refuse to ransom even our
dearest"
ooh. but not yet-not now Miss
Carnaway pleaded, with. a shudder.
mo, Miss Carnaway, SO l say" Mas
call declared, fervently. ''We cannot risk
this one lifel-this too precious life-for
any consideration even of public inter.
est. p"
THANK you-oh, thank your Clarissa
exclaimed, with glance of gratitude
which made Mascall's pale forehead
flame
"If only,'' he said, "they would take
me as hostage for himi I would go,
Miss Carnaway--oh, how gladly 1 would
go and give myself up.
Yes, so would l." Lawrence said,
coolly. But, then, you know, they
wouldn't care about you or me. Who on
earth would buy off you or me? I am
sure my people would be very glad to get
rid of me; and in place of buying me off
at any sum, however small, would rather
subscribe trifle to the brigands to keep
me for ever-or not to keep me at all
alive, l mean"
Miss Carnaway looked impatientIy,
and even angrily, at him. She could
not understand his levity at such mo-
ment. 1t was not like him. She could
hardly recognize him.
The time is going" she said, and she
almost stamped in her anger while we
are talking stupidity here. Have you
nothing to suggest, you two? Must I
look to other friends to help and guide
me at such timer
Cline Is going" Mascall said; 'ften
O'Clock within five minutes. This money
must be raised before noon tomorrow. -
Scan it be raised?'' she asked, all
trembling, without-without my
fathers signature?"
g 1t must be-oh, yes, I'll manage that
somehow. And you will give me your
word that the notes shall not be stopped,
and that there shall be no prosecution
no appeal to the police?"
Oh, yes-yes--of course I will. What
care about the police? Only bring nv
dear father safe back to me, and l don't
care if the wretches who captured him
lived thousand years!''
"Will you write and sign an authori ty
for us to act for your" Mascan asked !;
"a promise that there shall be no prose-
cution?"
Eyes, will-indeed, I willl''
She ran to her writing table, and
opened the little blotting book, and tossed
some sheets of paper nervously about.
"What am to writer she asked.
''Write nothingi' said Lawrence firm
ly.
"Nothing?' she exclaimed, looking up
at him, with astonished eyes.
"NothingP' Masoall asked in tone of
surprised and indignant renonstrance.
"Nothingl" Lawrence repeated. 'sThe
more think over the thing the less I be-
lieve in it,
Meanwhile, my fathers life is in
danger" Clarissa said wrathfully
"Wha6 am to write, Mr.. Masoall?''
(To be oontinued.)