The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-02-15
lI!{}I :ll333;!
hurried away

'VsA wy u tME
hurried away
| CHAPTER XIV.
THE ABDUCTION OF MABEL FENToN.
About 8 o'clock in the afternoon
cab drove up to the door and shar
ring followed.
Miss Fenton imp said q tall, lank,
man in hurried tone
Eyes, SIR"
The man entered.
"No name-she does not know me
Say message from Captain Brett-im
portaut."
He was shown into the library. and
, few minutes later Mabel entered.
"Miss Fenton?" said the man inquir
insl J..
"Deeply grieved to be bearer Of bai
news Don't be alarmed, but Captain
Brett met with slight accident. Uncon
scious when left. Asked for you"
Mabel turned dsathly white.
"An acoident2 Howl Where?"
"Near the docks. Cannot say how
bad knock ON the head-came to for q
few minutes and gave your name and
address. Total stranger-hut I thought
you would wish to know-insensible
when / left"
A few hours before Mabel had broken
down, and 1t might have been expected
that further blow would have crushed
her altogether, but she faced the situa-
ion bravely. Duncan was hurt-how
grisvously she dare not think. He had
cent for her; she must 60.
II can only thank you for your kind
ness" she said. III You will tell me
where Captain Brett Ia now, I will go
at once -
my cab is ut door-allow me to
drive you there-time important.
For moment she hesitated, but it
was for moment only. The vaguest,
indefnable suspicion Of doubt crossed
her mind, but the next instant it was
overwhelmed with the thought that
Duncan was hurt and had sent for her.
II will keep you scarcely a minute"
she said.
1t hardly needed longer for her to put
on hat and gloves, and without leav-
ing any message with servant she
few down stairs and hurried to the cab.
"Will you allow me to accompany
you!" said the stranger. II may be Of
some USE.
Mabel thankfully accepted the offer,
and together they drove off.
It was a long drive, and the cab
seemed to have more than its share Of
the troubles Of four wheelers. Buses
blocked the way, pedestrians hampered
it's pace, drays threatened to overturn
II, and policemen checked it in its mad
career, yet its driver, steadfast, If not
as silent as the sphinx, held on grimly
for the final goal.
At Hyde park corner they turned
Town Constitution hill, and then on
he Mall to Oharing Gross, and so to
The embankment. So far Mabel knew
The route we'll enough, but when upper
Thames street, with Its disoordant jum-
lie Of traffic, was reached, she sank
back in utter weariness She seemed to
70 In dream-a waking nightmare Of
lnreality. George prisoner, q cup
,osed murderer, Duncan hurt, perhaps
lying, or even dead, and she a helpless
Woman, torn by conflicting emotions Of
lope and despairi From the outside
we're borne in upon her the shouts of
outs and cadgers, the believing Of
raymen, the ceaseless grind Of wheels,
be endless rumble Of traffic. She closed
er eyes. Her sight she could. at any
ate, control, If nothing more.
At last they stopped. Her companion
OF out hurriedly, paid the driver, and
hen asked her to descend. It was !
orrible, dirty street in dirty and hor-
ible locality, and Mabel shrank invol-
ntarily as she looked round
Her companion OWNED her thoughts.
"Very sorry, Miss Fenton, to bring
on here. We took him to the likeliest
ouse. Drayman volunteered to take
i'm to his home-oase urgent-dare
OF carry to hospital"
The girl reproached herself for the
elings of revulsion that had arisen
hidden within her.
eyes, / understand. Is this the
ouse3" For her conductor had stopped
fore one dirtier and even more neg.
cted than its neighbors
Eyes, this is the one, I think-No.
+" He threw open the door and stood
ere for her to enter.
An instructive suspicion seized hold
her. Had she done wisely in coming,
to the place? At any
to she should have left word at home.
no was the man? Suppose it were not
uei Yet why should she doubt? Dun.
n was hurt. He had sent for her, and
Q had come.
The door swayed to behind her, and
J clash reverberated through her
anne.
"This way, madam" said her guide,
d in the very tone Of the man she de.
tied treachery.
Gan l see the woman of the house?"
Q asked unsteadily.
"Why, certainly" said her compan.
!, and his voice made her tremble.
Why, certainly-oertainly."
A slatternly woman made her appear.
co at the end Of the passage.
''Sally, there's a visitor come to see
d. Madam, this is Sally; Sally. this
madam from the west end"
Mabel crouched back in an agony Of
ror. Where was she? Who were these
'adful people? But, still, might not
moan be there?
Where is Captain Brett?" said she
the woman. lis he yet consci ous?"
Q woman sniggered.
'Capt'n, miss There's Salvation
TIN as lives next door, but | 'ardly =
nks you'd take kindly to i'm. He
t a washin man, amt Billy-least. z
ys, not In summer time" =
The coarseness of the woman came as p
nell on Msbel's ears, yet she dare a
give up hope. She turned to her Q
duotor u