Oakes Republican., 1902-02-07

CHAPTER NIv-tContinued1

oSN-l S'S w il4lc sue was lttlhlilS. IlS
began 10 conceive plan so daring, and
yet st ludiorous on the face of it, and
SO edesiened to cheat the unsuspicious
Georea 1sechs and bring down punish
noenj uron him. that he could scarcely
forbear from laughing at the mere
thought of it. But he kept steady
face. ard looked at Mrs Eeeks With an
expression Of pity and sorrow for that
suffering woman which almost drove
1er frantic.
My dear lady, far be it from me to
cause YOU any unnecessary pain" he
said laying his hand, With the delicate
touch of sympathy, upon her ARM but
In 4 matter Of tnls kind it is we'll to be
frank. Your husband has, unfortun-
ateiy, formed an attachment for this
young lady don't cry oIt or make a
noise 1 beg of YOU, and has. for some
purpose of his own. abducted her from
her home this very night. I am her
sCaldian: I heard of it; l followed, as
eapidly as possible.
"Oh-good' heavans. exclaimed the
poor lady. under her breath.
NATURALLY enough, my dear ma
5enl." Went on Nugant. glibly, Il am
anxious, if possible. to escape any seam
aal; and. above all. To avoid having
the name of a foolish. headstrong girl
mixed up in such a business. I am her
guardian, as l have said; and if it be
within my power. | should like to take
thc girl away With me a once, and as
quietly as possible. You tell me that
your husband is asleep; Why should
not this foolish cir, be smuggled out of
tho house as quietly as she was SNUG
glctl into it?',,
Mrs. Reeks was in too great a state
of excitement to be able to think clearly
or to know what to do at that moment;
but she did see. very distinctly, the ta-
bles turned upon that false husband of
hers when he woke in the m morning to
find the girl gone. Already Mrs. Reeks
saw herself reveling in condition of
stony silence. While Mr.. Reeks frantic
ally endeavored to discover where the
girl had gone, and what part Mrs. r.
had played in lhe business. Under all
the circumstances it was, perhaps, only
natural that she should jump at
chance of revenging herself, and, at the
same time, getting rid of the visitor
a chance which was, moreover, an easy
one.
Il don't understand it, sir she said:
"but I do know that 1 wont have that
woman in the nc use another five min
utes. You are her guardia: you GER
tain1y have the right to take her away
and to bring her to her proper senses.
a pretty thing. indeed, if respectable
men are to be made the victims of de-
signiEg-'
''It is great shame, I admit" broke
In Nugent, "but perhaps the less said
about the matter the better. Where is
this young lady?"
Mrs. Reeks pointed toward the door
,f the sitting room; Nugent Leathwood
nodded and stretched out his hand for
thc candle.
IF you will permit me- he said, ''to
see the young lady alone for moment,
I think I can have little difficulty in
persuading her to return with me-
Mrs. Reeks closed her eyes and shiv-
cred virtuously. Il have no desire to
see her, I can assure you" she replied.
Nugent Leathwood took the candle
and passed quietly into the room. The
young girl had stretched herself out on
the old d-fashoned chintz-covered sofa,
and was sleeping quietly; the man
stood with the candle in his hand look
ing down at her for moment in 81
iInce.
my Sleeping Beauty,'' he muttered
believe / may even turn out respect
able member of society if / once have
you with me. They tell me you've been
having dreams and visions, and such
like things, since that sickness of yours.
/ wonder what vision induced you to
come here, with that old mandman to-
night" We'll, ] mist induce you to go
back again, and cfter that I'll run no
more risks of losing you
He set down the candle, and then bent
over the girl and spoke her name in MS
softest and most agreeable accents.
"Olive.'
She opened her eyes on TIE instant,
and locked UP at Finn with q smila:
seemed, as she came fully awake, to
recognize something in his face that
brough Il shad. Of fear to her "Wn, and
started upright. The man laid a quiet
hand upon her shoulder.
Don't be frightened, Olive he said:
"I have come to take you home. DO
ycu understand? To take you home
She looked up at :lim wildly moment,
as though she failed to understand
where she was or how she had reached
that place. Nugent Leathwood, watch
ing her eagerly, wondered what clue he
should get as to the best fashion of per-
suadinG her to come away with him.
And. even while he waited he got the
clue he sought.
The girls face cleared, as if by magic.
Whatever dream was in ner poor, dis
fuIbed brain at that moment, found eX
preston in the one word that had pow
er always TO call her back. even if not
tb..sare things. at least to the brighter
accmpry of happier days She spoke
tharasone word, eagerly, row. r
s'C;ilbSrt. ] might have known; Gill
hera wants me-Gilbert has sent you to
fetch me. He said always I was to go
TO him if he sent"
The man turn.d away from he:. an