The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-21

W A M IL A - -4
 The anxious inquiry of Captain Holmes
 conoerning the money passed from his
 mind.
 Hours sped and Dick continued to read.
 He was startled, fof second alarmed,
 at the crack of revolver. followed by
 the scream of . feminine voice. Rush- ing to the single window in the room Dick peered Into the darkness. Over across the stream a white figure hut-
 tered in the grsenbrush moment like . wounded bird and then came the op- pressive stiffness of night. With amazing rapidity Richard Kane threw his clothes about him. reached for a revolver, ana rushing from the room bounded across the stream. His steps
 were guided by a faint simmer from the sinking moon. He had not thought of lacking courage. His was feeling that
 something terrible had happened out there
 in tine wood.
 He stopped over the prostrats figure in white and uttered groan.
 My God. Mildred" he hoarsely whis- pered, Surely all of his courage was needed now.
 With great tenderness he reverently lifted the form of Mildred Holmes into his strong arms, and with infinite gen. tleness stroked the beautiful face. The iustrous eyes opened and then there was a faint little scream. "Oh, Dick.-Diok,-this is terrible" sobbed Mildred, and I am so cold. Take me to the house. I-I-oh, what Will father say?''
 She was overcome. Dick silently doffed his coat, and wrapped 1t about the white robed figure, still holding her within his arms. In his philosophy, tears were soothing to the nerves. Stay here just moment" he said
 firmly, when Mildred had almost recov- cred. nothing will harm you" Before she realized his absence he had rushed to his bedroom and returned
 with heavy overcoat and his dressing
 slippers.
 Put on these" he commanded, "be- fore you say another word." His voice sounded harsh and Mildred obeyed mechanically. still much bewild- cred by her strange predicament. Dick stopped and picked up a small pearl-handled pistol. Now we will go to the house. he said quietly, and with the imperturbability
 which she had known in the days when
 he first came to Kensington.
 "But, Dick, listen." pleaded Mildred.
 My conduct-you must understand. I thought you were being robbed and mur-
 dered. | really did. I saw the negroes. They were breaking down your door," Mildred was almost hysterical and she jerked out the words sententiously. Never mind, little woman," said Dick soothingiy. T understand. Let's go to the house."
 His tenderness encouraged Mildred.
 But Dick must tell you. Oh, isn't
 this awful? My pistol? Where was h2 Yes, yes, on my dressing case. didn't
 realize what I had done until the sound of the pistol. Then L."
 Then you fainted,' said Dick bluntly. 'In take you to the house now, and you must do what I tell you.' Dick was speaking sternly and rapidly. ''No one but you and I must know of | this. Go directly to your room. If you | have any stimulant. drink 1t and go to | bed"
 But, Dick-''
 That will do. Mind what I tell you" | Silently Dick left her at the "big house" which stood out in the blackness of night | like a great pile of marble. Not sound | was about the place. Mildred stole from
 him and he felt as though his dead ashes l of sweetness had been scattered to the
 winds.
 When next Richard Kane saw Mildred Holmes she was standing with Howard l Maddern underneath an immense bell 1 wrought of costly white flowers in the parlors of the ''big house." Dick had
 remained away from the house through 1 out the day and feigned stress of busi- ness. At night he stole up there and stood on the wide veranda peering through vines which hid his face from the throns
 which had gathered to witness the we'd
 ding ceremony. His heart was bursting
 with pain. He saw but one face in the
 room-the face of his ideal. "Do you take this man to be your ] welded husband?' The words were waited to Dick and
 mocked his anguished heart, but his eyes | were fixed upon Mildred. l She gazed about the room expectantly. | Her voice visibly faltered. T do.'' she said tremulously. ] Richard Kane started. His teeth came down violently upon his white lips.
 Great God" he cried. 'I wonder"
 His face fell into his. open hands and 1 he sobbed aloud.