The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-12

Utterly exhausted and benumbed with fear.
Madeline sank upon her knees and pressed
her hands to her eyes.
She was trying to think if there was any
one who would benefit by her disappearance,
OF what could be the motive for this diabolcal
outrage
Her thoughts flew from one possibility to
another, and each surmise seemed to her to
be more improbable than the last
AS far as she knew, she had not an enemy
in the world.
1t will kill my father!' she moaned,
suuderlng with agony, she dwelt upon the
CONSERVATION that would prevail at Cumnor
missing.
She pictured it all, and her heart was full of
despair.
There was a slight sound-so slight that
Madeline did not hear it-and someone
tered the room.
The door, which was a sliding panel, shot
back into its place. and ascetic-looking
man approached Madeline and touched her
on the shoulder.
You must not excite yourself, Mrs. An
gerseeln ger TEN ne said quietly, as she started to
her feet with cry of CONSERVATION. What
noise you have been making
My name is Angerstein! II have
been decoyed here. l insist upon being
hperated at once!'' cried the girl, her breath
coming in quick painting gasps Il am Miss
Haldane of Cumnor Towers
Inc stranger laughed sardonically.
"eH-Weil II you were to call yourself the
Queen of Sheba, L should not gainsay you.
AS a matter OF fact, you are the wife of one
OF the Wealthiest fruit growers in California.
lou nave become temporary deranged, and
are consigned to my until your mind
regalns its balance. Now,s my dear young
lady, it is no exciting yourself Ii you
Will but adapt yourself to circumstances you
may De very happy with US, but 1 warn you
tnat you VIII gain nothing by violence. My
WHe-ah here she is! he Said the woman
IN black entered, and crossed the room to his
sue. Mrs. Angerstein has been calling for
you, my dear will leave you together
nf thn
and expedltiously he had entered it,
Come, you must restrain yourself said
the woman in an authoritative voice. You
have been placed here by your friends 1t
depends entirely upon yourself how soon you
: are IN position to resume your place in the
world"
How dare you talk to me like this" ex-
claimed Madeline, passionately. Where is
the woman who brought me here? | demand
TO see her! She knows how basely 1 have
oeen tncked Whoever has been the instga-
tor OF this plot knows all about my most in
tinaIe famlly affairs, since it was in conse-
quence OF farged letter, purporting to come
from relative, that set out on thus Journey
10 London! You know perfectly well that |
am MISS Haldane and that l as sane as
you are! You call me, Mrs. Apgerstein to ex-
asperate me, and mslead others.''
Maoeline paused for sheer lack of breath,
Out stood facing her adversary like a python-,
ess. though it was but the courage of despair.
II you will allow me to leave this place un-
molested. will promise to handsomely re-
6 M
object to him. She approached the woman
with pleading hands outstretched. You will
heip me. There must be some soft spot in
your heart to be touched by my miserable
plight. My father is an invalid; if | do not
return, it will kill him."
She spoke in short painful gasps for her
breath seemed to fail her
Inc woman in black listened quietly but
was evidently quite unmoved
HOW can you expect me to hep Won TO
REGAIN your liberty when you persist in being
name. for instance, shall begin to have some
hopes come, you must try to make yourself
as nappy as you can, for am afraid you will
nave no other society than ours for many
long day."
ran towards the sliding door, where the man
nao disappeared, but it resisted all her efforts
Where am I? Whose house is this?'' She
painted distractedly
This is Dr. Navarro's nriv.+a .s,,,,,r
an MIS- navarro, and very shortly we shall
take you with us into the country, where we
nave our principal establishment You will
nave plenty of company there, for we have
many wealthy patients some of them mon,
Ders OF the aristocracy''
Madeline's courage was ebbins fast awav
Ihe prospect before her was so terrible her
cnances or communicating with her friends so
remote tnat an awful faintness overcame her
She sWayed, and would have fallen had not
the woman caught her in her arms
Holding her slight burden the woona, !,
crossed the room, and touched an electric
bell.
The door slid back and the man re-entered.
she has tainted" said the woman shortly
Il am glad of it, for thought should ha We
lot of trouble with her Help me to carry
her upstairs, She can scream as much as she
nkes IN the strong room-nobody will hear
her"
1T is a risky business, Rachael but, with
o1o1l