Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-09-12
WomanAgainst Woman
I&BY&
MRS. M. A. HOLMES.
&BY&
MRS. NJ. A. HOLMES.

!. Frank Meredith relapsed into 81
lence He recalled Valerie's face the
day he had seen her at the ruins,
then his mind went to Alice, and
his cheek flushed as he remembered
her loneliness.
II ct wish I could see her again, :"
he murmured as he turned from the
window to 60 out "She looked so
unhappy, and now that I know her
story l understand what she meant
about being friendless. do not
care to see her at the castle.
should like to be able to do something
for her."
well, you are off," exclaimed
Godfrey Armistead, "to the abbey
again. Why, Frank, I believe there
is some siren hidden in the ruins.
Don't blush old mani"
Frank smiled, and at that in
slant Sir Robert Carlyle was an
nounced.
lave you heard the news?" he
said hurriedly.
Both answered in the negative.
''The castle has been robbed, the cele-
/ 0SO4CAA,
and who do you think is the thief?
: No one less than the young Countess
DARRELL"
Frank uttered an exclamation.
Il could not have believed it,
went on Sir Robert CAT the din
ner the other night she was charm
ing, and yet they discovered yester-
day morning that she had eloped
with a guest staying in the house
Count Jura-taking the diamonds
ana a quantity of plate with her,
"Jura!" repeated Godfrey Armi-
stead. Where have I heard that
name?"
"She is in trouble" thought Frank
Meredith hurriedly; 'there is some
mystery here, l am sure. She may
5 let me know. Well, let her sum-
mon me when she will, I shall be
ready?"
7 =
The cart with it's strange burden
was driven rapidly by Paul Ross
along the deserted lanes.
Count Jura sat in silence beside
his companion.
The smock-frocks and slouched
hats were complete DISCUSSES Amy
one meeting them would have taken
them for honest farmers returning
!, to their homes from a distant mar
ket-tOWn.
The count was thinking and plan
ming.
It was not the first time by many
that he had robbed a host of heir
looms and valuables; but never be-
fore had he carried away, or attempt
ed to induce a woman to come to
his secret and hazardous life.
His reason and good common-sense
had fed before the passion that
Alice had inspired within him.
His wild, lawless heart bowed down
before her fair, sweet beauty He
had thrust all fear from his mind,
and with Valerie's aid had got the
girl into his hands.
He determined as they approached
the abbey to make speedy arrange
ments with Paul about disposing OF
the plate and jewels, and then to
start at once from England, taking
Alice with him.
When the cart drew up by the
ruins, Count Jura bent over the
girls lifeless form. and lifted her
easily from her hard resting-place.
tShow a light, Paul." he said
sharply.
Ross at once opened his dark Ian
tern and shot ray of light on to the
broken steps that led to the vaults
of the abbey.
"Wait here. will return in an
instant. You are sure Dame Burden
is here all right?'' said the count.
eyes," answered Paul shortly, as he
held the lantern high over his head
and threw the light on his COM
panion's path.
The count moved down the steps
carefully and entered dark passage.
He traversed this for a few seconds,
then a glimmer of light at the
farther end told him he was in the
right direction
He whistled softly, and a figure
came towards him.
Dame Burden?" he asked quickly.
swags safe?"
r ''Yes-yes, outside. Lead the way
in. I have got something here for
you to look after"
. In another moment he stood in a
large stone chamber. It was curl
Gus scene. On the rough walls, stained
3 and wrecked by time, were hung
t rich curtains, caught on great rusty
nails.
3 The stone floor was lined with
rugs and skins thrown carelessly
down; pile of cushions was flung
, on one end of a mattress, over which
; was stretched rich silken coverlet.
The light came from two tallow-
candles stuck into beautiful, old
: silver vases. A profusion of strange
and costly silver and glass stood on
fine ground at the extreme end of the