Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-01-14

that perhaps you insaneiy propose to
take her place. in the mad hope that
your person might possible be mis-
taken for hers and yourself permitted
to suffer in her stead. so as to deceive
the world into the belief that she had
persisted. while in reality she would
be safe aud free"
You know that I have denied and
repudiated that course as impractical
bic and even unthousht of by me. But
the other! What is the other conclu-
sion to which your wisdom has ar
rived in regard to my purposed
course?"
.Or else" said Malcolm hesitat-
ingly.
'Or else?-Yes. What else? What
is that second conclusion-that other
scheme which is to be Il crime. and
whirN til" physician "f the gaol is to
detect and expose? l am anxious to
know what you suppose that to be. If
you will tell me-" said Amelia, mock
ingly.
Malcolm hesitated for a moment,
and then said:
''You intend surreptitiously to adj
minister some powerful narcotic to
Eudora which shall plunge her into Il
sleep. trance or coma, so profound as
to simulate death. And then. when
she shall be supposed dead, YOU pro-
pose to have her body claimed by me
as her nearest relative. oStensibly for
the purpose of Christian burial. but
really for that of being conveyed to
some safe and secret place and re-
stored to consciousness. A very in
genious plan. Amelia. which, if it
could be made to succeed, would GER
tainly deliver our dearest one from
captivity and death. while it would. ut
the same time. mislead the public into
the belief that she had persisted in
prison. But. dear Amelia. for the
reasons advanced just now, it must
not be attempted. The very admins
tration of the drug would seriously en-
danger Eudora's life. and therefore
constitute a crime. Besides. it could
not succeed for moment. The physi-
clan who would be called would i'm
mediately recognize the presence Of
the drug and apply antidotes. So the
only effect of your scheme, my poor
Amelia. would be to entail useless
suffering upon that sweet victim;
therefore"
LIZ was interrupted anu dSlOAilS1lCN
by peal Of weird laughter from An
herself, exclaimed:
Il do so much admire your perspicac-
ity, Mr.. Montrose. and also your in
senuity in imagining such plan! And
l likewise perfectly agree with you
that it could never succeed, as the
science and experience of the prison
Il Ir,%0
fraud in an instant. But never even
dreamed of such ruse. Mr.. Montrose.
l know nothing whatever of narcotic
sedatives' or any other drugs, or their
effects; and even if did, would not
for the world risk Eudora's life by adj
ministering them to her. And even if
l We're wicked enough to do so,
should never have the opportunity Of
forded me, because of the sharp eyes
OF those female turkeys that are
never removed from me while am in
the cell. No. Mr.. NIontrosc, you are
very clever, indeed. but you have not
discovered my plan. My scheme in
wolves no such risk of life to Eudora.
nor OF discovery by the physician! No;
for If my scheme succeeds. as it must.
Eudora will leave the prison in full
possession Of her life. health and fac
ultics! Excuse my having laughed.
but I could not help it. 1 was so
tickled by your positiveness. so de-
lighted to find. after all, that you had
not detected my plot. And if you. with
your perspicacity. have not discov-
cred it. who will? Why, no one" OK
claimed Amelia triumphantly.
Then. in the name Of heaven, since
1nif of s,l,k
what is your most ineXplicablc
ishment.
sured you that l shall not tell you: and
I mean to keep my word,' replied An
nella firmly.
said Malcolm refectively. "You pro-
pose. without the assistance, conni-
vance or even knowledge of any other
single soul within or without the pris-
on. except our three selves. to place
Eudora Leaton, free and safe. outside
the prison walls, while all the world
except ourselves shall believe her to
have perished?"
les. that IS just exactly what l un-
dertake to do!' said Amelia exult-
ingly.
But why not confidc to me the mode
by which you propose to do all this?'
inquired Malcolm gravely.
Because l won't!' said Amelia,
giving him the "woman's reason with
out an instlnt's hesitation.
Miss Wilder" began Malcolm, in n
grave. sorrowful tone. II greatly fear
that in your beautiful devotion to Eu-
dora, your zeal in her behalf, and your
total ineXpcrience of the world. you
are about to rush into some ruinous
enterprise that may destroy yourself
without saving that poor. sweet girl"
"Well:' inquired Amelia, looking up
anxiously and defantly.
Under these circumstances l doubt
whether it is not my duty to go to the
Anchorage and advise your friends
there to take better care of you than
they seem to be doing" answered Mon
trOse. gravely.
Amelia jumped to her feet with a
rebound that wrung like steel springs
on the floor. confronted him. and
flashed sheet-lightning from her eyes
as she exclaimed:
IF you dare! if you dare. Mr.. Mon
trose! will do you some deadly mis-
chief! will, as the Lord of heaven
hears ME: for am not good. tell GU.