The Holly chieftain., 1900-02-23


In through the one window Of his
room. and Rob was enabled to see.
He lay there without trying to Hsten,
but suddenly became aware that a
voice he knew was speaking. 1t was
Lemuel Starne.
Yes" Starne was saying, at was
lucky thing for me got rid Of that
American cub when I did Why, II he
had ever reached old Horton, 1t would
have been all up with me. And just
a. I am getting ON 10 well, too. l
have gained the old mans confidence.
and am well on to that Of the girls.
1t would be q nne thing, after 1 work
up my case. ingratiate myself with
Horton and marry Elsie, to have the
old fool leave his wealth to that young
cub and leave me out In the cold. No.
NO. II win any, must win all. Some
day old Horton will die. and then we
shall control the wealth of South
America. It was a most fortunate
thing that l heard of his coming. 1t
enabled me to meet him at Rio and
chuck him overheard"
What did Horton say about it!''
asked Elvin.
"Oh, he was stricken with grief. But
that will wear on. Elsie, the little fool,
is crying yet. And she never saw the
cub. Well, I'll take that out of her"
Are you sure no one suspected
your"
Starne laughed harshly.
Suspect me? Why, l was the most
grief-stricken of the lot When re-
ported the thing to the captain of the
steamer could scarcely control myself
for weeping. And I've been assuaging
Elsie's grief and comforting the old
man ever since"
When you are his son-in-law yor
can do 1t better"
"Oh! worlds better"
Both laughed.
Rob lay quietly listening to this dia-
bolical conversation. 1t made the mys-
terry clear to him at last. Starne was
trying to win the hand OF his cousin
Elsie. to get David Horizons fortune.
And he wanted 1t all. That was the
reason he threw Rob overboard-to get
him out Of the way and leave the path
clear for his own plots and plans. Rob
clepched his fists and shook with rage
at this shameless story. Then fear
overcame the rage, and he trembled
with apprehension. Truly, he was in a
bad fix now. In the very house with
his enemy. Oh! II Starne would only
leave before morning
What about the letters?" asked
Starne. after few moments of silence,
in which Rob could. distinguish the
clinking of glasses
Il suppose you came to write them"
answered Elvin.
YES"
We'll. have done better than that
1t seems that Torrevo had nephew
with him who was educated in New
York. He wrote the tally of the last
cargo. and did 1t SO well that brought
him here to write the letters. The
plans are ripe now. and we must hur-
ry."
True enough. But was 1t safe to
bring stranger into it,"
He is only a boy. And at any rate
1t was safer than for you to write
them. You must not be known In the
thing at all. There is always the pos
sibility of failure. and II the revolution
does not succeed, then you will have
Horizons money to fall back on. You
must not be known even as my son. II
would advise you not to come here
again. unless something important
brings you"
Just as you say. Had better stay
tonight?"
mo. Get back before daylight. and
no questions will be asked Don't run
any risks. The stake you are playing
for is worth all the caution you can
use. Horton must be worth twenty
millions"
Forty, II cent. And it will all be
mine some day, and lovely bride in
the bargain"
well, be careful. will have the
notices sent out in cipher tomorrow,
and by the following day the first steps
will be taken to overthrow this hate
full government"
Hateful should say So"
Rob could now hear the preparations
for departure. and soon horse passed
his window. Lemuel bade his father
goodnight and rode away.
"I'll show them how to write letters
tomorrow" said Rob to himself, as he
clenched his fists again. Perhaps Mr.
Lemuel Elvin Starne won't come out sc,
big az he thinks he will. Oh! wasn't II
lucky that Torrevo made me write that
tally? Now l can save my uncle and
Elsie from the worst villain that ever