The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1901-04-18

tered a strange sound. the gun dropped
from his hand. and he fell back on
the grassy knoll. When I reached him
he was dead!"
With a little cry Bluebell folded her
arms about her lovers neck.
"Oh. Adair. thank God! thank God,
you were saved,"
For a few minutes Rothcs did not
speak. His strong mouth quivered q
little. At last he said:
Now comes the strange news I have
for you, Bluebell. Papers were found
upon Gerald Moore. and the officer into
whose hands they fell-the general,
Bluebcll- sent for me. He knows me
personally. and knows what you are
to me. Those papers affect you, and
you only"
"Adair. what can you mean?" she
asked. in startled surprise.
Adair took her hand in his, and held
it for a moment without speaking.
"a barrier has risen up between you
and me. Blueinll-a barrier such as I
never dreamt OF. I am a poor man
you are an heiress."
She uttered an i~acredulcus exclama-
ton.
ut is true. Bluebell. Now we have
the real reason of Moore's -determina-
ton to marry YOU. He had seen an al
vertiscment in an English paper, gone
home, learned everything, and came
here with his mind firmly made up as
to his own course. AS you know, your
father always declared he had been
done out OF Tinlayerstock. His cousin
has had 1t in his possession for fifteen
years. Maurice Leslie had three sons.
Your father never hoped to come into
the property; but. by a strange fatal
ity, these sons have all died since.
Maurice Leslie. on whose mind 1t al
ways preyed that he had cheated your
father out Of his inheritance, has made
you his heircss. You-not your ia
Their"
"Oh, Adair." The girl chung to him.
her arms clasped round his neck. 81
w nOl Ia ~ NC III htAiSoos I'm
happier as | am"
at seems" said Rothes. that your
| fathers cousin died a few months ago
The lawyers are now searching for
you. You must write to them, Blue
bell. And | have been thinking. dear,
you and Miss Elizabeth are safer out
| of the country just now. We must get
you to Durham, thence to Scotland"
She uttered a little cry, her face
deathly white.
"Adair. You wish to get rid of me,
then? Oh. and | thought thought
you loved me-"
He clasped her close. covering the
sweet face with passionate kisses.
my own darling. But. Bluebell. do
you think | am SO selfish as to wish
to keep you here during this dark time
that is coming upon us. when you
might be living in luxury and safety
at homer"
And you in danger. doing your duty
here?" she half sobbcd. "Adair. are
you to have all the unselfishness and l
none? No. dear. / shall not go. l
have made up my mind"
They were married. The brides IA
Their had been but a month in his lone
ly grave. and they were themselves in
the midst Of that dark tragedy which
had not then ended. But human love,
next to divine, can tighten the dark
est sorrows and the most terrible sur
roundings.
"You are not afraid" he said, as,
having babe farewell to the weeping
Miss Elizabeth. who had agreed to go
! meantime to Maritzburg, he led his
wife into the pretty little house that
was beginning to look desolate and
| deserted in the forsaken town.
She raised her sweet face to his.
Her eyes were full of tears, but they
had a smile in their depths.
IT am sad at parting with poor
auntie," she whispered. But | am
glad, so glad, to be beside you. Adair,
and l am not afraid with you, dear.
Why should | be. We are together,
and God is all over. and He can take
care of us in the future as He has in
the past"