Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-08-04

head him laugh outright.
You think these trees have ears,
sister?"
Il do not know what think, but
take care, Paul-breathe but once
again your shameful disgrace. and /
Will never"
Help me again. Well, that IS just
what l don't want, So trot away. my
dear; the secret is safe Be quick
with that money, l am due at Nest
ley in an hour.
Stay here, and will bring It to
YOU"
Alice heard light step pass away,
and she sat, undecided what to do,
She was IN corner, hidden we'll
from sight. Anyone peering round
would scarcely have distinguished her
grey dress and cloak from the tree
trunks. but she could see a little way
out on TO the wider pathway, and
as Valerie disappeared she heard the
man laugh softly to himself and
saunter TO and fgo while he waited.
Alice drew herself back as size saw
opening of her hiding-place, and as
ne turned and strollel back he
glanced nervously at him.
He was like Valerie, Mt coarser
and harder, and his CHI K WAS dis
figured with scar that save sin
lister look to his face.
He was humming to himself, and
glanced neither UP nor down. Alice
drew deep breath OF relief as he
passed.
Something about the man gave her
sense of alarm, and she was glad
when after some moments she heard
Valerie's fleet footsteps returning,
and heard her, painting, say:
Here Paul! And now go. There Is
no use in hanging about. l must
return to the house"
Thanks, my sweet sister. Yes,
will go. That is my address should
you desire to hear from me. shall
know where to find you.''
Leave me in peace for awhile
Valerie said abruptly.
Give me fifty pounds and l will
leave you altogether"
Il cannot, Paul. | have not the
money; il had, YOU"
Should not have it," finished the
man.
Paul, you are ungenerous; but
am fool to do as much as | do for
you!"
You are no fool, Valerie! You don't
want to have me come boldly to the
castle and ask for my sister-eh?'
Alice heard Valerie's sudden excla-
nation, and then she heard the man
kiss his sister and leisurely depart,
She waited to let them both pass
away, then, rising, made her way
slowly back to the castle.
| Paul Ross strolled leisurely through
the woods, until he came TO a path
way that led to the village. and past
the dreaded Madman's Drift.
Here he stopped and uttered a soft,
low whistle.
In an instant a man had crept from
beneath some bushes, and stood up
right.
Paul Ross moved towards him.
WELL" said the other, how
much?'
Fifteen pounds!"
Fifteen pounds" repeated the
other. Your sister is not generous"
Valerie swears she has only ten
pounds more, and believe her
"She may have no more, but"
Have you examined the entrances
well?" Gueried Ross.
Not all; but they arc not difficult
to manage"
where do you seep?'
The man laughed.
"In the guests corridor-a noble
apartment, my friend, The earl
knows how to lodge his company"
Much valuables about?" asked Ross
eagerly.
"Much?" echoed the other. "The
caste Is a veritabe gold mine! BY
Jove, Ross. that was good notion Of
yours, the trip abroad
Yes; fatter myself am not 50
stupid as Valerie thinks me. She is
the fool in this case"
You mean In not snatching the
earl before the murder and the row.
Paul nodded.
Well, it was mistake; she has
lost her chance now
Ross looked up suddenly.
What is the girl l!ke?"
"Who?"
why. my Lady Alice as Valerie
calls her" laughed Paul.
Like" repeated the ether. She
Is most lovely. Paul, can II be true
about her lowly birth? | have never
seen a more beautiful creature among
/ ALI"
"All the ladies Of family and for
tune with whom you are on such
very intimate terms-eh. mon gar
CONF"
Paul leisurely pufed away cloud
Of smoke.
Well, she is plebian for all that
merely a farm wench; her people
were bought off the estate and sent
t. ~