The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-05-08

" possess an ADDED horror when one
Is so situated that the freedom of limbs
is denied
Rhinelander felt the carriage vio-
lently upheave, then toss to the right
and left as il in the grasp Of hurri-
cane.
All manner Of horrible sounds burst
upon his ears, very nearly deafening
him.
Then came tremendous crash, fol-
loweu by shock.
When he crawled out from the
wreck he found quite enough to en-
gage his attention in rescuing those
less fortunate than himself from the
wreck.
One good turn this accident did Paul
he was free from the unwelcome at
tentions of the men who had watched
him so closely, and who had been TAX
Ing drastic measures to get him into
their power, at the time the smash oc-
Cured.
Just then Paul heard a voice from
close by, voice that calmly begged
assistance, a voice that showed no
trace Of fear or alarm.
He knew it belonged to the English
man, and with all speed he made
for the spot, eager to render Sir Noel
what help he could.
No doubt the other was surprised to
hear an English voice address him,
but under the conditions he did not
ask any explanation until his limbs
had been extricated from their pre-
dicament.
"Any serious damage, Sir Noel?"
asked Paul, seeing the other make a
cursory examination.
THANK heaven, have come out
better even that might have expect
ed. A beastly piece of business, isn't
it? But you seem to know me-we
have met somewhere. I am glad to
shake your hand and thank you for the
help you gave"
AS he did so, he leaned forward, en-
deavoring to see Paul's face.
1T am Paul Rhinelander-we met
under peculiar conditions at Heidel-
berg" Paul said, quietly.
The big Briton squeezed his hand
some more.
by Jove! You cut out some brave
work for us-thirteen stitches, my boy
it took to cover that fellows cheek. A
rare mark he'll carry for life. Glat
to meet you again, doubly glad to be
under obligations. But I may be the
only doctor at hand. See you later
my boy"
He hurried off to where fire wa
burning, and in which quarter the.
were carrying the injured as fast a.
rescued from the wreck
Just then shrek from feminine
lungs somewhere in the distance re
minded Paul Of what he had seen.
Was the Countess Aimee on the
| train, as he had some reason to be-
lieye? He hurried to the carriage
where he remembered having seen her
| but when he looked the nest was
empty.
A man with lantern rendered hin
some assistance, since by the aid Of
| the light he discovered certain articles
in the snug nest SO recently occupied
| by lady as served to prove her iden.
tity.
Then his suspicious were not over.
drawn, and she had been the genius
whose hand manipulated the strings
by which he had been trapped.
The accident had, unfortunately
taken place at a lonely part of the
road and this assistance could hardly
come before dawn.
Curiosity caused Paul to draw closer
to the fire and survey the groups neal
by.
He was searching for the countess
and though the women were hardly in
a condition to appear presentable, still
Paul believed he could have recognized
the adventures in any guise.
To his surprise he failed to discover
her! Then he turned to make lnqulr.
les Of Sir Noel, and in this way dis
cover the. truth; but before he reach.
ed the doctor, the female assistant
who was fitting about like an ange
Of mercy, binding up wounds and car
rying water to parched lips, came be-
tween his eyes, and the blazing fire
and Paul was stunned to discover in
this tender-hearted sister of charity
the woman he had looked upon as a
cold-blooded adventures, Countess
Aimee.
The sight of the countess in the role
of charity gave Paul queer sensation
he had seen her rope in the dupes in
Paris, men with titles and fortunes
falling into her net galore, but this
was new feature which he had never
dreamed could exist in her nature.
It only went to show that she was
a woman after all, with tender hear,
beneath the exterior perhaps, had
fortune been more kindly in surround.
ing her with luxury she might have
been blessing rather than curse tc
mankind.
At any rate Paul found himself CON
doning her faults and feeling more
charitably disposed toward her.
She had seen and recognized him
and instantly came to his side.
1.-THE doctor told me you were un-