Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-10-13

| Myra QeHantly. An, you InOuSnt to
play a trick on me, Master George;
but you should have known me bet
ter Coward You thought to put
me into Moses keeping. while you
broke your word with me and carried
her Off. Give me your hand" she
added abruptly to Alice. You have
failed, George. The game is mine.
have but to whistle, and in an in
slant Sam and Paul Will be on you
and find out your treachery. Stand
aside man! You will find me difficult
to tackle tonight"
The count took no notice OF her
threat, but seized Alice in his arms
and tried to force Myra aside. With
lightning dizziness she kept her right
hand free, searched in her bosom
for scarf, which she had saturated
with drug, and while he twisted
her left wrist, causing her acute
agony, she pressed the scarf to his
face
There was suffocating cry-a sort
of sob. Alice felt his arms loosen
and the next instant the man fell
heavily to the ground at their feet.
Alice staggered back.
"Have you killed him." she said IN
whisper of dread.
KILLED him!" repeated Myra,
gazing at the fallen man bitterly.
No; only drugged him. See," she
held out the scarf. we are never
without chloroform; 1t is our own
best weapon"
Alice recognized the faint odor
"Ah, | see now" she murmured.
She drugged me with that"
xiii him!" said Myra modify;
"why do l not strike him dead? He
has killed me. Characterization
liar! But come, we must go. You
can trust me-" she added abruptly.
For answer Alice carried her hand
to her lips.
Have you not saved me?" she
murmured. "'a
1--WE must be as swift as the wind"
continued Myra, drawing her cloak
close around her. What is this?"
She stopped. 1.-THE diamonds. Good;
wv Will tuhC IhOIu Win uo'
But" said Alice, shrinking back
with repugnance. you would not take
them. They are not ours; it would
be stealing No, no; | cannot be a
thief" % ~. 80. -.."s
Myra rose abruptly from her knees.
I'VE need money" she said quickly,
land must take them"
Then will not go"
The two girls gazed at one another.
in silence. Something IN the pure
fair truthfulness of Alice's eyes
struck the other to the heart.
Come, then" she said almost
harshly; I've VII. leave them. Tread
softly. We shall find the cart waiting
round this corner. He had laid his
plans we'll.
Alice shuddered.
You have saved me-" she cried
softly. Il can never thank you
enough"
Wait till we are out of danger. We
have heaps OF difficulties to face that
YOU know nothing OF"
II will pray for help" Alice MUIR
INJURED.
Myra made no answer.
Silently, with bathed breath, the
two girls crept through the long
grass. They found the cart, as Myra
had predicted With great dexterity
she hoisted Alice In, mounted the seat,
and the next minute they were flying
swiftly along the deserted lane to
Moreton, the opposite direction to
Nestley, leaving Count Jura stretched
still senseless on the ground, with
the Darrell jewels beside him.
CHAPTER XIV.
Valerie Ross gazed with moody
brow after the retreating horsemen.
She had played dangerous game.
and was not yet out of the maze.
What il Roy should meet Count
Jura? Or ii Alice should see Roy,
and scream?
She grew pale and then laughed.
1t was absurd; she was growing
coward
Had not Jura sworn he would start
at once for Italy? And was she not
litc lolNNti VI Il SlS ~ VI lIC Dtdull-
full girlish face of her rival and the
dark sinister one of her brother?
She mounted the staircase and made
her way to Lady Darrell's room.
Here. she felt. she had one secure
friend and ally. Pride would trample
all other feelings underfoot.
Lady Darrell received her quietly,
yet aifectionately. She was prostated
by the blow that had fallen on OAR
rell castle, and. though she made no
sign to Valerie, by the knowledge Of
the grief her son was suffering. I'm
like Valerie had anticipated, she did
not judge Alice harshly, but even
thought of her kindly, and could not
dispel a vague feeling that the poor
young wife was in danger somewhere.
Meanwhile, Roy and Frank Mere
dith rode ON quickly. Both were
silent. Hope was growing in Roy's
breast, The news that Alice had
evidently carried away the cards with
4.