Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-09-26
Continued.


to let me be her friend. After a
moments hesitation she agreed, and
7 handed her two cards with my adj
dress, one at the Grange, and the
other in London. She promised me
if ever she needed help she would
send for me- Have those cards been
discovered?"
Roy rose hurriedly.
"I will ring for her maid and
ask"
He paced the floor in widest agi-
tation till Davis came. How he re-
preached himself! A stranger had
read her misery, and he was blind!
Davis knew nothing of the cards.
"I have looked through everything,
my lord" she said, coming back
after time. "They are nowhere. My
dear mistress left all her clothes
She had only her white silk peignoir,
her cloak, and hat Oh, feel some
thing terrible has happened to her..
The earl waved her away, and
Frank only waited till the maid was
gone. Then he exclaimed:
did you hear that? Would any
woman deliberately go away in this
damp, cold weather, clad only in a
dressing-gow I am convinced there
is treachery. Listen: I came over
here at Armistead's request. Last
night we we're sitting up late, when
we heard a slight noise, and, 60
ing to discover what it was, we dis
covered two men crouching outside
the house. They fed like hares
We chased them, they took the di-
rection of the abbey ruins. Two
nights before I imagined I heard
something outside, but took no
notice of i Armistead has gone UP
town to bring down couple of de-
tectives, and we will get to the bot
tom of the affair. I have come to tell
you this, so support my theory that
the disappearance Of the plate and
diamonds is all part Of systematic
robbery"
Eyes, yes; but"
Roy had risen in his excitement.
''You mean, how does this account
for Lady DarrelIs disappearance
also? I cannot explain that; but
something tells me that she is in
trouble and needs our assistance
But you look pale, Lord Darrell.
Let me get you some brandy, Or
cit is nothing,-only your views
upset me- 1t is dreadful to think of
of her. perhaps in danger, and I
cannot help her. What shall we
do?"
Roy covered his face with his
hands, and now looked up.
"Do!" echoed Frank ''put the de-
tectives on the track at once. Will
you ride with me now as far as the
abbey? We might reconnoitre and
discover something"
lies us &C at once. Have you a
horse? No? Then will order two"
The earl seized the bell:
1.-TWO saddle-horses, Mason, with
out delay. Mr.. Meredith, you have
given me the first moment of glad
less since that dreadful morning.
You have given me hope"
do not be too sanguine," Frank
observed quickly. "They are only my
own ideas about the affair I have
no proof; but to convict Lady OAR
rell of such odious crimes seems to
me impossible. She has the face of
an angel. If ever human eyes spoke
the truth, hers did,
"Why have not I had this faith?'
cried Roy passionately; 81 should
not have wasted three days. But
come, the horses are there. We can
start at once"
VII hiIO ohO11f
this Count Jura? Where did you
first meet him?" Frank asked as he
mounted.
"In Italy He represented himself
as scion of a noble and ancient
house, and certainly I found him
charming. Why do you ask"
Because Armistead seems to
think him scoundrel; but you will
meet Geof tonight and learn more"
Valerie heard the sound of horses
on the path and looked from the
window. AS she saw Roy ride
away hastily with a stranger her
heart contracted as if with fear,
What had happened? Suppose they
had traced Counc Jura, and Alice
was found? She summoned her
maid, and, after much questioning
OF Mason, Valerie's fear died away
Roy had but gone for ride. All
was safe as yet.
CHAPTER XII.
Alice lay unconscious half through
the night that followed her abduction.
She tossed and turned in her fever;
her lips murmured WORDS incoher-
emily; her small hands were held out
as if begging for pity.
She knew not that Myra Burden sat
beside her through the silent long
hours long after the voices had sunk
down in the next room, patiently
and tenderIy watching and tending
her.
The chloroform had made her
feverish-the shock of seeing Count
Jura simply Frustrated her.
A vague dream of horrors filed her