The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-03-17
CHAPTER XII.

MxS made a living by
GM0N the deaths of other
MGS} people But she
I9N "a made her injury
~ an excuse for keep
ng her room.
About week after the affair with
me- dog, Ralph was lying one night
wake in his chamber, the door Of
mich he had left little ajar for air.
|gor some reason he could not sleep.
n last he heard a slight rustling sound
the passage, and directly he thought
h heard the bolt of the hall door with
rawn. He sprang up instantly, and,
mtting on his boots-for he had not
uudressed- went noiselessly down
stairs. and out OF the door. which. as
he had expected. he found unfastened.
The night was obscure, the faint new
moon hidden In clouds. But the low
murmur OF voices drew him on, and
Inst at the foot of the garden he saw
distinctly two figures, standing close
bgether. He crept up near them, and
bad no difficulty in recognizing his
riie-ard he was nearly sure that the
sher was the mysterious stranger with
whom he had once before discovered
her,
The man turned his face toward the
noon, and there was light enough TO
Cow Ralph that his complexion was
ark, bis features irregular. and his
Gin heavily bearded. And as he lifted
70 his right hand 10 enforce something
he was saying, the keen observer also
saw that the third and fourth fingers
were missing.
II is OF no use to beat about the
bush, Mrs. Trenho.me," the man was
saying; no Use, whatever. have told
you my requirements"
HUSH" she said, fearfully, looking
around her. Il am watched continu-
ally We cannot talk here"
Well then we will row out TO the
Rover's Reef II will be pleasanter on
The water and have great dea. to say
nyou. But you must kiss me before we
start"
lmogene drew back with a gesture OF
contempt, but the man put strong arm
founG her and held her to his side.
She looked at him a moment, then
lightly touched his cheek with her lips
and said hparsely:
Let US go. l am in the mood 10 be
VI the water. II is just dark and gloomy
though"
he red her down the rocky path to a
u'tle cove where a strange boat, prob
aoly the one in which he had reached
'ne Rock, lay moored. She stepped in
Without hesitation. and he pushed off.
Some terrible purpose had flashed in
ollie in the brain of Ralph Trenholme.
ne dashed down the rocks after them.
anloosened his own boat and, by cir
caitous route. made off to the Rover's
aeef. The low line of rocks which bore
mis- name formed at ebb tide a barren
sland, about two miles from the shore,
VN at high water the waves swept 1t
completely.
Ralph bent every energy to the work
Nlore him. and reached the reef some
mteen minutes before those for whom
ae waited. They came on shore. and the
aan made fast the boat. They sat down
Just little in the shadow of some rag
sea rocks lying between them and the
"tie indenture in the rock where they
lau moored their boat, and began to
universe together in low, earnest tones.
'ul ralph did not care to listen. He had
io' come to pry into secrets. He had
'ome for revenge. This woman whom
nc mad married had dishonored him
nat was enough. All mercy for her died
'ut IN his heart. He Embossed his own
'oat and took the other in tow. and al
oNed himself to drift with the tide.
'nich was just beginning to set land
'afu The moment he was cut of hear
ns OF those on the Reef he bent to the
'ars and in little while the boats were
Earned and he was climbing the steep
'ath TO the house.
anu In an hour the Rover's Reef
'Daid De ten feet under water.
), ne threw off his hat and sat down on
,ue Piazza. The air blew in from the
"a fresh and cold. He heard the rush
Tue incoming tide. Something in the
MADE aim SILVER. He put his