Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-06-09

ere had taken atep | saw North
mour bare-headed and bowling very
low, as II to apologize; and dropped
again at once into my ambush, A few
words we're interchanged, aud then,
with another bow, he left the beach
10 return to the pavilion, He passed
not far from me, and could SEQ him,
flushed and lowering, and cutting saw
agely with his cane among the grass.
IL was not without satisfaction that
recognized my own handiwork In the
great cut under his right eye, and
considerable discoloration around the
socket.
FcS some time tho girl remained
where he had left her, looking out past
the islet and over tho bright sea, Then
with start as one who throws off
preoccupatlon and puts energy again
upon It's metal, she broke into a rapid
and decisive walk, She also was much
incensed by what had passed. She had
forgotten where she was And I be-
held her walk straight into the bor-
ders OF the qulcksand where II Is most
abrupt and dangerous. Two or three
steps further and her life would have
been In serious jeopardy, when l slid
down the face OF the sand hill, which
Is there precipitous, and, running half
way forward, called to her to stop.
She did 80, and turned round. There
was not a tremor of fear In her be-
havior, and she marched directly up to
me like q queen.
What does this mean?" she asked.
You were walking" told her, "di-
rectly into Graden Floe."
You do not belong to these parts"
she said again. "You speak like an
educated man, What do you mean
you, gentleman--by skulking like
spy about this desolate place? Tell
me- she said, who Is It you hate?"
Il hate no one" answered, "and I
fear no one face to face. My name Is
Cassilis-Frank Cassllis. / lead the
life OF vagabond for my own good
pleasure. / am one OF Northmour's
Oldest friends, and three nights ago
when ! addressed him on these links
he stabbed me in the shoulder with
knife"
1T was you" she said.
why he did So" continued, dis
regarding the interruption, SIS more
than can guess and more than care
to know, l have not many friends,
nor am very susceptible to friendship,
but no man shall drive me from a
place by terror. l had camped in Gra-
den Sea-wood ere he came; / camp In
1t still. II you think mean harm to
you or yours, madam, the remedy ia In
your hand. Tell him that my camp Ia
In the Hemlock Den, and tonight he
can stab me In safety while l Sleep"
With this dotted my cap to her and
scrambled up once more among the
sand hills. / do not know why, but I
felt prodigious sense OF Injustice and
felt like a hero and u martyr; while.
as matter OF fact, had not a word
to say In my defense nor so much as
one plausible reason to offer for my
conduct.
Next day she came out about the
same hour alone, and, as soon as the
sand hills concealed her from the pa
vilion, drew nearer to the edge, and
called me by name In guarded tones. I
was astonlshed to observe that she
was deadly pale, and seemingly under
the influence Of strong emotion.
Mr.. Cassllis! she cried; "Mr. Cas-
sllisw
l appeared at once, and leaped down
upon the beach. A remarkable air of
relief overspread her countenance as
soon as she saw me.
"0hi" she cried, with hoarse
sound, like one whose bosom has been
lightened Of weight. And then.
THANK God, you are still safer she
added; II knew If you were you would
be here. Promise me that you will
sleep no longer In that wood You
do not think how suffer; all last
night could not sleep for thinking
of your peril"
"Perll?" l repeated. Peril from
whom? From Northmour?"
mot 80" she said. did you think
would tell him after what you said?"
mot from Northmour? repeated.
"Then how? From whom? I see none
to be afraid Of"
"You must not ask me-" was her re-
ply, "for am not free to tell you. Only
believe me, and go hence--belleve me,
and go away quickly, quickly, for your
lifew
An appeal to his alarm is never a
good plan to rid ones self Of a spirit
ed young man. My obstlnacy was but
increased by what she said, and I
made 1t point Of honor to remain.
And her solicitude for my safety still
more confirmed me In the resolve.
You must not think me inquIsitive.
madam" replied; but II Graden is
so dangerous a place you yourself per-
haps remain here at some risk"
She only looked at me reproach-
fully. '
you and your father"-but she in
terrupted me almost with gasp
my father! Tow do you know
thatY she cried.