The Holly chieftain., 1900-07-13

said. Then be said he must take my
brothers body with him. His orders
were to bring him dead or alive. I
prayed. ! besought. Then suddenly
the servants same running 70 NY the
house was on nre. It had been ret fre
to BY some OF the Beers. misunder-
standing an order OF their leader-at
least. 10 they said, 1t was then I
learned Bluebell was gone. Sam told
me he had eeen Baas Moore carrying
her on. with cloth over her head;
and when Sam had run after him.
Moore covered him with pistol"
''You mean" said Rothes hoersely,
interrupting her, look In his faee
that terrified the poor woman. that
1t il that villain in whose hands she
10 now?"
II tell you all know" said Miss
Elizabeth. sobbing. Doctor Rothes.
do you know anything! But let me
finish first. When the Beers saw the
terrible confagration they consulted
hastily among themselves, and finally
made on. leaving me with my dead
and half-crazed servants. Well, we
carried my brothers body outside and.
without trying to save anything. sent
Sam and Monu in search Of Bluebell.
They did not return till night. and
then without having found any trace
Of her. That all happened three days
ago. We had to bury my brother our
selves Miss Elizabeth's voice chok-
ed. THE boys managed kind Of
wooden shell to lay him in. and they
buried him under the kopje nearest the
river. What else could we do?" Miss
Elizabeth wrung her hands. Doctor
Rothes, there was no minister to say
a prayer; had to do 1t myself. oh,
my poor brother!"
The tone Of anguish in the poor
lady's voice would have touched far
more callous heart than Adair Rothes'.
His whole mind was taken up with
Bluebell's fate. and he had far more
reason than Miss Elizabeth to mistrust
Moore. Yet he laid his hand for mo-
ment consolingly on that II the poor
woman. 2tt
Miss Elizabeth, you are d Christ
ian, and you know and believe that
Gods hand guides all the events of our
lives. Your brother is in His hands.
| and we know that they are hands Of
Infinite wisdom and mercy. We have
the living to think OF now. Tell me.
have you done anything more to find
your niece?"
II have sent Sam again In search Of
her. He knew the country better than
anyone else, and he has taken Kaiser.
my brothers horse. He went away
yesterday morning. and gave him
food and drink enough to last several
days.
| Which direction did he take!'
Rothes asked.
He had gone southwards, toward the
Tugela river. she said.
Then shall take the other direc-
tion," said Rothes, standing up. Il am
certain IL Gerald Moore, as he calls
himself. has carried her OF. he has
taken her beyond British territory. l
know that man, Miss Elizabeth. He is
scoundrel of the deepest dye!"
What do you know OF him?" she
gasped, SELLING his arm. ''Oh, God for
bid that my darling should be in the
hands of such man, IL he is what you
say!"
81 knew him in Maritzburg," said
Rothes briefly. Il learned by chance
what he was. and he knew 1t, and
hates me for it. He robbed dead man
at Kimberley. That Is how he obtain
ed his wealth. tH
"And, almost worse than that, ne
has been vile spy in the pay of the
Beers. The Beers despise him; but he
has been OF use to them. Now must
wait no longer, Miss Elizabeth. must
| hurry back to Ladysmith. ! cannot
leave my duties there without warning.
| But tonight shall be on Moore's
track, and, please God, shall find him
yet"
She clasped his hand, weeping.
You are going to seek for my dar-
ling? Oh, may God bless yon and give
you success! 1t is He who has put it
into your heart to help mel"
He looked at her for a moment.
Words seemed trembling on his lips;
but he checked them and wrung her
hand instead.
"Good-by, Miss Elizabeth. Take
care Of yourself, and make yourself as
comfortable as you can. l can't ask
you to go to place where you would
be safer than here. for I wish to find
you when come back. And shall
not come back until have found her.
with Gods help. Good-by. good-by!"
He was gone, and Miss Elizabeth