Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-10-09

the sounds were heard no more.
Nothing Of all this had reached the Sc
cluded apartment, where the jew and
Alice sat listening to abb who was play
ing on the harp few low, sweet strains.
When, therefore, the massive door was
suddenly swung back, and Mizar burst
into the room, pale and trembling, their
first thought was that Falkland had dis
covered the retreat VI Alice, and expect
ed that the ruiians in his employ were
pressing closely on the boys footsteps.
so, my MASTER" exclaimed Mizar,
"come quickly and see what has happen
ed"
"They haven't come for her, thenT"
said abb pointing to Alice.
"No, no." replied Mizar; but I'm
afraid that the gentleman is murdered"
what gentleman?' inquired Abb. But
Mizar did not hear her question, for, as
she spoke, he closed the door, and fol
lowed his master to the shop.
They now listened at the door, and
finding that all without was silent, the
Jew cautiously opened it. A thick. heavy
mist was falling, and the eye could not
penetrate the gloom.
Bring a light, Mizar," said the Jew,
that we may see If any ole dead or
wounded is lying near"
Seeing that the boy hesitat,d, Aseneth
took up lamp and stepping out at the
door, held it in such manner as to rem
der visible whatever object might chance
to be near. The insinuating mist had rem
dered the ground soft and yielding, and
footprints of different sizes, grouped to-
h.. Ia, irpanular m
were the only vestige Of what might have
been mortal struggle.
AS she was about to enter she thought
she heard voices at no great distance.
Listening, she found that they were rap
idly drawing nearer. In her haste to en-
ter her feet slipped, and she fell across
the threshold BY the time she had risen
those she had heard coming were close
at hand She had entered and succeeded
in closing the door, when 1t was forcibly
thrust open and three men rushed into
the room. One Of them Aseneth at once
recognized as her treacherous guide.
"Ah, my delicate lily-face, you have
found your way home" said he, address
ing her 'The young Puritan, / suspect,
hasn't been here yet to let the bird out
Of the cage If not. we will save him
the trouble"
"If," said the Jew, "as judge by your
words, you are he who conducted my SER
want to a different place from where she
wished to go, | advise you to be content
with the mischief you have done, and not
to seek further to annoy her or others"
when your advice is wanted | will
seek for it," replied Corkle. Don't you
say so, Skellum?'
cay, ay," was the answer, land if the
old extortioner wouldn't have his crazy
old house pulled down about his ears, he
had better lose no time in showing US
where he has hid the little Puritan Of
the russell cloak. Be quick, and take
your choice" said he, turning to the Jew.
81 shall not aid you in comprising your
iniquitous purpose"
The next moment an exclamation Of joy
burst from the lips of Aseneth, for close
| behind a stranger she beheld Clarence
Harleigh.
edv' said the Jew, feryently; "who has
sent US deliverance when we were well
nigh ready to despair"
Don't be too certain Of that" said
Corkle. 1.-The ironrhandled broadsword
| may nave as mucn virtue ia ~ rs TIE
jewel-hilted rapier."
"If you will tell me the meaning OF
what see," said the stranger, addressing
Corkle, perhaps the matter may be set
tied without having recourse to either Of
the weapons you have named"
IF you will make it appear by what
right you catechise me-" he answered, 81
may possibly satisfy your curiosity"
II cannot say that l have any right
except what belongs to common human
ity."
"A virtue l shouldn't object to prac
ticing, il it were not almost always sur,
to empty the purse instead Of filling it.
IF golden arguments are what ar,
needed to persuade you, here are hand
full of them;" and taking some broad golt
pieces from his pocket, he held them IL
such a manner that their amount coul,
be readily estimated.
Suddenly a shrek was heard from tn
adjoining apartment, and almost at
. single bound Harleigh reached the door
He was in season to obtain a glimpse o
a young girl, pursued by the ruttianly Ma
= at the moment she entered the passag
E lead to the closet.
7 ITO be continued)