The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-08-21
A CASE In EQUITY.
BY FRANCIS LYNDE.
copyright. ,s0,. BY J. D. rIpplneoti Col
XVII.
XVII.
IN A STRAIT BETwIXT TWO.

IN bIHAlT BETWlAT TWO.
For two whole days, shame kept the
young engineer from returning to the
farmhouse on the Little Chiwnssee, but
the urging of the same wholesome
emotion made him tireless in his efforts
TO find Thorndyke. He accepted his
own theory of kidnapping, and, after
learning from the hotel-keeper at
Glenco that Philip had set out TO ride
10 Allacoochee, and that the horse had
returned riderless the following day,
he was confirmed in the belief that the
young attorney had been waylaid and
carried off to some isolated cabin on
the plateau. Acting upon this conclu-
sion, he began systematic search on
the mountains; and since his occupation
had made him familiar with every spur
and ravine within ten miles OF Allacoo-
chez, il would have been singular II he
had failed to discover Thorndyke's
asylum. II was late in the afternoon of
the second day, however, when Philip
heard the welcome sound of approach
ing hoof-beats, and his satisfaction was
not lessened when he found that the
rider was Protheroe. He laughed when
he hobbled to the door and saw the
engineer coming up with Winchester
held at the ready.
''You needn't be alarmed" he called
out; 81 don't want 10 fight, and / can't
rum"
Protheroe was mystifed, but the
bandaged ankle was held up in evil
dencc. "Then you're not prisoner,
inter al? 2" he said
"Oh, yes, / am--very much so; but
not by the i'll will of my good friends
here. All need is an ambulance, or the
loan of gentle horse"
1--WE were afraid you'd been kid
naped," said Protheroe, and, seeing
Philips look OF inquiry, he added: I'm
in the secret Duncan has told me all
about it,"
'But / don't understand yet. Iwrote
Duncan two days ago and sent the let
ter in your care. Didn't he get it p
A sudden light broke in upon Pro-
theroe. 1.-TWO days agoP that was
Wednesday. How did you send it9"
"By messenger 70 you at Allacoo-
chez"
Duncan didn't get IL, and | never
heard OF IT, IL probably fell into the
hands of the enemy. Sharpless went to
Duncan Wednesday afternoon with q
story about your having gone to New
York; and ever since, he's been turning
heaven and earth over TO find Kilgrow.'
"Unsuccessfully, hope?'
up 10 date, yes; and | think there's
no chance for him. Duncan warned
the old man at once"
"Goodl then everything's nll right
vet. by Jovel old man, I've been having
a horrible time cooped up here when
there's so much at stake and every day
is precious"
Protheroe smiled. IL can imagine;
but you needn't worry. Allacoochee
hasn't run away yet, and 80 far as ]
know, the company is still solvent Are
YOU ready TO 90 back 10 civilization2'
Indeed / am, IL you'll tell me how
10 do IT,"
Nothing easier; you can ride my
horse, and I'll walk"
When Philip had taken leave of his
entertainers, and had narrowly missed
N quarrel with the Bedouin in the effort
10 make him take payment for his hos
pltality, he was helped into the saddle
"You want 20 go 20 Allacoochee,
suppose" Protheroe said.
"Td rather go TO Duncan's, II we car
get there"
Protheroe's heart misgave him, but
he answered unhesitatingly: 1T car
bo DONE" and they were soon ont Of
sight OF the cabin in the windings OF
trail leading diagonally across the
plateau.
For some miles they pushed on II
uch silence as the narrowness OF the
nath made compulsory, but when the
trail broadened into a wood road, Pro
theroe dropped back beside the horst
ond tbcv began 20 speak OF the missing
letter. The talk reminded the engineer
that he still had Thorndyike's mail II
his pocket,and he passed IL up ana con
siderately went on ahead again whit
phiIin read the letters. There was on
from Helen, and, yielding 70 something
like n suggestion OF moral cownrdice
philip left Il until the last. when n
opened Il. he saw that IL had been writ
tan ON the same day as that about tn
marriage portion. and the first word
proved that IL was an after-thought-
"I have Just mailed one letter to YOU
al. svrotr' "and IL was hardly out Of IN.
hands before began TO be sorry that
had cent II. AS / remember u now