Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-09-09
CHAPTER XIV

belt marked with Robert Luke's initials
caused much excitement among the
men on the station. Nothing more.
however, could be discovered. and for
several weeks Luxe hunted about the
place In vain, hoping that he might
succeed In finding still another link In
the chain OF evidence which might lead
TO some trace OF his lost brother
In the meantime the whole colony
had again become interested in the af-
fair. chiefly from the fact that no
traces could be found either OF Baynes
or his Wife; and, as IL became certain
that the missing couple had not tray
eied toward the coast. as Baynes had
said they intended doing. the matter
grew daily more and more mysterious.
Days and weeks passed by. aud yet
nothing fresh concerning the disap-
rearance of Robert Luke came 10 light
His brother began to despair. and at
last one night he announced his inten-
ton OF returning TO England.
1T is OF no use my remaining here"
he Raid. Besides must go home and
look after my business. / have done
my best. and can do no more. But
TO my dying day shall believe that
that Baynes and his wife were some
how or other mixed up with the disap-
pearance OF my brother"
That night he went up to the hut
for the last time Having strapped up
the few things he possessed in his
valise. he made all preparations for
starting early the next morning. Then
he retired 10 rest
Once more William Luke dreamed.
This time he heard the same voice
crying out. "Help-belp,"
He did not awake. but YEARLY an
swered In his sleep
II am here, Bob. What do you want?
! have done the best ! can, and / can
do no more"
They were the words which be had
used that night when he wished the
men good-by. Presently bis dream took
more substantial form. He beheld
the hut in which he slept lighted by a
solitary ''slush" lamp. Upon the bed
/ where he lay he saw the figure OF a
woman. sitting with her head resting
upon her hands. She seemed to be
reading some old newspaper. and re-
mained perfectly motionless, as IL deep
I iy intent upon what she read Then
Luke heard noise. as Of some one out
side the hut. In his vision his sense
of hearing seemed almost painfully
acute.
The woman also heard the noise, and
raised her head as II In alarm.
He could not catch n glimpse OF
her face. for as abe sat upon the edge
Of thu bed her features were turned
away from him.
Suddenly he heard q voice speaking
from without Luke started in his
sleep. for II was the voice OF hi.
brother!
Mrs Baynes." II said in a clear. Low
tone-"Mrs Baynes. would you kindl,
give me a drop of brandy. II you hav,
such q thing, l am sorry to trouble
you at this time OF night. but am no
very we'll. / am Luke-Bob Luke"
The woman. as she listened, claspe'
her hands together a. II in mortal ter
ror, blu, she answered not a word.
Presently the voice came again. thi
time louder and with a more deter
mined accent
Mrs. Baynes-d'ye hear. Mrs
BAynes'"
The woman rose stealth!ly from he
sitting position and stepped toward tn
fireplace Unlocking the great KEITH
that hung from an iron bar by a chain
abe noiselessly removed the bar from
its place and stood clutching 1t in he
right hand. as II prepared to use 1t q
a weapon OF defense.
William Luke seemed to strain ever,
nerve in his sleep as he endeavored t
cry out. but his voice appeared to hav
left him and his limbs refused to d
his bidding. He was like one paralyxe
for the time being. with the powers o
hearing and seeing alone left to him
Then he perceived that the door wa
| OSlu& pIeSsVu III AtVua ~ss"N~S. a
ton part, where there was no bolt
showed signs OF giving away; anothe
Aeaving Of the door, and yet another
a loud crash, and William Luke behel
his brother!
For several seconds, az It seemed I
the dreamer. the figure OF Robert LUX
stood silently gazing at the woman
Who stood denantly facing him. VII
liam Luke behcld only the face OF hi
brother. The woman's back was turne
, to him.
Robert Luke appeared to be dazzle
, Nth the light and unable to sec dis
tinctly the objects around him. Sud
denly however he seemed about
sneak. but noise from without tn
nut. like the sound of horse gallon
ing up to the door. caused him to loo
round.
The woman, quick ~ thought, raise
the cruel bar OF iron In her hand
', and dealt him heavy blow upon h
skull; and with wall OF "Help-heip'
Robert Luke fell face downward upo