The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-28

Win Nailasoiia nau taught MIN the lat
ter's methods.
FORGED DOCUMENTS ARE OFFERED
The key TO Jessie Banning's proof was
the Vaides deeds. for they completed the
gap. showing the unoroken title To the
forest lands from the original grantees
down through several generations 10 her
mother. IL was well known that these
important papers had not been destroyed
by the men who had stolen them. because
they also conveyed certain rights and
privileges which were being used by the
ring"
IL was the plan OF the latter 20 wear
out the Banning heirs and produce the
Valdes deeds. Jessie Banning was the
only one who stood between them and
success. and they didn't see how girl
like her could possibly defest them.
4, Very early in the affair a bundle OF pa
pers purporting to be the original Nalaes
deeds were offered 20 her at "a fancy iig-
ure. The arch-conspirators had figured
that she would snap at these forgeries
and use them for the purpose OF winning
the suit. OF course AZ the proper moment
they were prepared 20 step In and dra-
inaticsily prove tne deeds 10 be gross for
geries
Fortunately Flores got wind OF the
matter and warned Miss Banning In time.
But the trick. though IL failed I'm eNecu-
ton. produced one momentous result. IL
revealed the headquarters OF the pictters
and by rare chance showed that the
bona fide Vades deeds We're in the same
place. But how 10 get them?
Jessie Banning knew that her fathers
secrets had been sold out 10 the other
side, and she WAS afraid TO trust anybody
with the important task Of recovering
the deeds. Whosever got them for her
might turn and offer 10 resell them 10 the
other side for ready cash. In this dilemma
she decided 10 ~ 10 recover them her
self. There was only one way. Court pro-
cesses We're useless I'm trying TO reach her
enemies. She must do as they did when
they took them from her father
Her cousin was a daring lad OF IL, and
she pitched on the plan of Disgusting her
self In "A suit of his clothes and taking
him with her on the adventure. She had
selected a rainy night for the feat, and
found everything clear i'm her reconnois-
sancc OF the house where Flores reported
"the ring met. Then fortune played "a
strange prank I'm the proceedings. which
both helped and hurt her.
IL ohanced that burglary was being
committed that same night IN a residence
almost directly opposite. The servants
were awakened. gave the alarm. and
fusilade of pistol shots rang out on the
midnight air. Of course all the house
holds i'm the neighborhood were awakened
by the racket and ran forth TO learn the
cause OF all the confusion. The servants
I'm the house where the ring met were
among the number. Jessie Banning nearly
collapsed in the uproar, thinking for
moment she was the cause of ii. She was
paralyzed with fright, but only for an i'm
stant
The next the quick-witted girl realized
that the uproar was a golden opportunity
ON q
ton of the servants; then she fell upon
the desk containing the Naldes deeds
stolen from her fathers house.
RECOVERY OF VALDEs DEEDS.
With them safe in her pocket she made
jubilant rush for the broken window.
forgetting for the moment that the gar
aens i'm that locality were being secured
by the house-holders, seeking the bur
glars who had fled from the alarmed
house across the way. Unfortunately for
her she was observed as she dropped
lightly from the window, and a vigilant
servant fired "A pistol at her.
The ball grazed her side infiicting Il
n sh wound, but she pushed headlong in
10 the darkness, followed by tho shouts
of those in close pursuit
Suddenly, In her mad fight, she STUN
bled and went sprawling headiong into
the water. II was shallow. with a stone
bottom, but she dared not move lest she
should get beyond her depth. and 30 she
lay full length, with her head just above
the surface. Her pursuers were close up
on her.
She could hear them calling to one an
other and beating the bushes in their
fruitless search. Lanterns began to bob
about I'm the darkness; she lay still fear
ing to move lest she should disclose her
hiding place.
Two Of her pursuers met near the wa
ter; one carelessy threw the light OF his
lantern in its direction, evidently with
view simply 10 disclose it's location, and
told his companion to be careful and not
stumble into the fish pond" Time and
again her pursuers passed the pond, but
they never thought of seeking her there.
However they were so persistent in
their hunt and daybreak was so near that
she knew IL was only "A question of little
time when she should be discovered and
dragged TO prison, and that would be the
last of the Valdes deeds and her long
fight for her rights and justice
Then came figure drifting spectsr-
like through the darkness in her direction
and softly whistling, You'll Remember
Me-" from the Bohemian Girl Jessie
Banning could not withhold an eSclama-
tion of delight IL was Flores favorite
air. and she had often heard him softly
II
way.
Flores. Senior Flores" she called soft
ly The shadow and the whistling sudden
~ stopped. 'Senor Flores she repeated.
and the figure advanced cautiously to-
ward the fish pond.
Where are you, senorita?" he whis-
pered In a low. guarded voice.
Here in the fish pond
BE brave. ! thing we can trick them
yet" he responded. Ssh, here comes
one Of them lie low And as a man
came up with lantern Flores turned
and pretended to search the bushes.
ANY signs OF the robber?" asked
Flores.
ESCAPE OF MISS BANNING.
Not yet. but he is somewhere In this
square. OF that we are certain, and the
place ~ safely surrounded. II is only q
question OF a little time and search.
Stuor Naladolla reports that his houso
was also robbed. and he and his servants
have also Joined the hunt. We will get
the villains. sure. | am going for more
lanterns" And he hurried away into the
darkness.
When he was well out OF hearing
Flores picked up bench on the walk be-