Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-01-04
plans which they had formed for the fu-

plans Wn1cn lney uau 1olueu 1oI Lue ~
ture.
One or other of the girls was in the
habit of frequently going over to stay for
a day or two with a Mrs. Mercer. one
evening Hubert rode over with Ethel
and Mrs. Mercer persuaded the latter to
stay for the night; Hubert declining y
do so. as he had arranged with Charley
to go over early to Canterbury to asslS&
at the branding of the cattle at that sta
ton.
In the morning they had taken their
coffee, and were preparing for starS
when, just as they were mounting their
horses. one of the men drew their atten-
ton to a man running at full speed to-
ward the house from the direction Of Mr..
MERGERS.
what can be the matter?" Charlel
said. what strange thing that mes
senger should come over ON foot instead
of on horseback
Lets ride and meet him, Charley"
Hubert said; and putting spurs to their
horses, they galloped toward the ap-
preaching figure.
AS they came close to him he stumbled
and fell, and lay upon the ground. ex-
hausted and unable to rise. The boys
sprang from their horses with feeling
of vague uneasiness and alarm.
whats the matter?' they asked.
The peon was too exhausted to reply
for moment or two; then he gasped
out, "Los IndiOs! the Indians.
The boys gave a simultaneous cry OF
dread.
'What has happened? Tell us quick,
man; are they attacking the estancla"
The man shook his head.
"Estancia burnt. All killed but me,
he said.
The news was too sudden and terrible
for the boys to speak. They stood white
and motionless with horror.
"All killed. Oh, Ethel, Ethel!' Char
| ley groaned.
Hubert burst into tears. ''What will
mamma do?"
Come, Hubert" Charley said, dashing
away the tears from his eyes, do not let
us waste a moment. All hope may not
be over. The indians seldom kill wom-
| en-, but carry them away, and she may
be alive yet. If she is, we will rescue
her, if we go right across America. Come,
man, jump up behind me on my horse.
The peon obeyed the order, and in five
minutes they reached the gate. Here
| they dismounted.
LET us walk up to the house, 2NEsrt,
so as not to excite suspicion. We must
call papa out and tell him first, so that
he may break it to mamma. If she learn
it suddenly, it may kill her"
Mr.. Hardy had just taken his coffee,
and was standing at the door, looking
with a pleased eye upon the signs of
comfort and prosperity around MN.
There was no need, therefore, for them
to approach nearer. AS Mr.. Hardy look
ed round upon hearing the gate shut,
! Charley beckoned to him to come down
to them. Mr.. Hardy, feeling that some
thing strange was happening, ran down
the steps and hurried toward them.
BY the time he reached them, he had
no need to ask questions. Hubert was
leaning upon the gate, crying as if his
heart would break; Charley stood with
his hand on his lips, as if to check the
sobs from breaking out, while the tears
streansed down his cheeks.
| "Ethel?" Mr. Hardy asked.
| Charley nodded and then said, with a
great eHOEI. ne 1HulduS nave puhi1oA
| the estancia; one of the men has escaped
and brought the news. We know moth
ing more. Perhaps she is carried off, not
killed"
Mr.. Hardy staggered under the sudden
blow Carried OFF, he murmured to
himself. at is worse than DEATH"
Eyes, papa" Charley said, anxious to
give his fathers thoughts new turn.
But we will rescue her, if she is alive,
wherever they may take her"
Go be continued)