The Portland daily press., 1897-12-02
tALL RIGHTS REsERvED.l

RESERVED.l
Carey bounded into the room, and fold
ng her arms detiantly faced the officer.
Even then she looked singularly hand
some.
Now Mary, machree," said Kennedy.
good hum0redly. Il III sure you're a SEN
sible girl and don't want to cause trouble
Perhaps you don't quite realize vet that
this may be hanging business, and
shouldn't like to think such a pretty col
lenn us you was concerned in it. | know
you very fond of Mr.. Blake, of course.
and it's natural enough, for he's fine,
bold outstanding gentleman, but
.'Who. told you l was fond OF hirn?"
asked the girl, with a toss Of the head.
Sure we all know it, darling, and we
don't blame you. But come now, tell
honest colleen as I'm sure you are -
I'm tell you nothing" said Mary,
setting her lips together.
"Don't say that now, for it's unworthy
of you. Some day you'll be getting mar
ried, and I'd like to dance at your wed.
ding. p"
She gave short, mocking laugh.
There's more than me that thought of
marryin' may be-" she said, ''and yet it
didn't come off. !"
Meaning Miss PowerS" asked the
Captain. "Well, now, Mary, they're say.
ing that young MI. Blake was mad with
love for her, and clean lost his head
when she refused to be his wife. I"
He never wanted her," said Mary
flushing angrily. "If he ever went afUer
her at all at all it was because he wanted
her money, which was his by rights, -
And when he couldn't get either the
lady or the money he swore to be re-
venged?" observed Kennedy,
II don't know what that isl returned
Mary. IAN know is that she's got
what she worked for, and won't cause
any more trouble"
But, come now" said Kennedy, per-
sSuasively' ism t it a puzzle what mas
happened to her? Not a trace of her can
we find, though we've dragged the river
from tho bridge down to the sea, -
Then ye'd beIter drag the say itself, -
cried the girl with laugh. MAY be it
there ye'll find he-.''
Langford trembled, and Mortified ex-
clamation escaped from the priest, but
Kennedy remained quite cool.
Mr.. Blake tells Inc he was here all
yesterday, and all last night, - be said
II Mr.. Blake says that same il ),
true"
Was he in your company"
You d letter ask him., was the curt
answer
Mind what you're saying said the
ofncer, with sudden sternness. 'If you re
not careful you may put the rope round
your lovers neck, for there's been murder
dono, and it's hanging business"
Not the least disconnected by the state
ment Mary looked full in the officers face
and made this significant reply
Sure, how can there be murder when
We can't prove that anyhody's kilt When
ye find the body twill be time to talk.
AND she walked coolly out of the room.
Kennedy looked perplexed.
GU heard that?" he said, turning to
Langford, .'I'm sure now that that girl
knows everything, but torture itself
would never get a word out of her. /
can't arrest her on mere suspicion, but I
shall keep sharp eye on her while Blake
is in custody"
They found Blake outside the inn,
guarded by tho police. He had regained
all his GOODNESS, and was EXCHANGING
savage acquainuances who cluster near
the door.
Keep your heart up, Mr.. Patrick ~
cried Carey, as the prisoner took his
place on the car. "Sure Well all stand
by You. l."
Blake nodded and beckoned to Mary.
who stood as the inn door, her lips treln-
up to the car, holding out her hands.
''Mind what 1 told youl" said Blake.
mystt usly
The glrl nodded and wrung his hand,
The police car drove off amidst dead
silence, but when Langford mounted his
horse to follow there-was a general gronn
"The blackguards!" cried Father John,
standing up on his car and shaking his
fist. Never heed them, sir. There's "a
rope round the neck of every one of
them
AS he spoke the driver cracked his
whip and the horse sstarted off, nearly
projecting the priest into the road, but
while the group At the inn door laughed
derisively he clung to the rail and seated
himself with as much dignity as was
possible under the circumstances.
AS Langford prepared to follow, Mary
Carey ran up to his horses side and
placed her hand upon the bride.
Bad luck to ye for this days work!''
she said. "It's me AMI mine that will
reminder 1t, even if Mr.. Patrick for
getsi"
Scarcely raising his eyes he shook the
bride from her hand and rode slowly
away, the very incarnation of misery and
despair.
ITO be continued