The Lamar register., 1902-05-07

to 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
| dicament.
"Any serious damage, Sir Noel?'
asked Paul. seeing the other make a
cursory examination.
THANK heaven. have come out
better even that l might have expect
ed. A beastly piece of business, isn't
| 1t? 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.
1t took to cover that fellows cheek. A
rare mark. he'll carry for life. Glad
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 was
burning. and in which quarter they
were carrying the injured as fast as
rescued from the wreck.
l r,1, ,1AI, froV far, nj n n
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-
lieve? He hurried to the carriage
where he remembered having seen her,
but when he looked the nest was
empty.
A man with lantern rendered him
some assistance, since by the aid or
the light he discovered certain articles
in the snug nest so recently occupied
by a 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 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 near
by.
He was searching for the countess.
and though the women were hardly in
a condition to appear presentable. still
| DE-, II ha1t ha rpcnUniZp1
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 angel
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 a new feature which he had never
dreamed could exist in her nature.
1t only went to show that she was
woman after all, with tender heart
beneath the exterior-perhaps, had
fortune been more kindly in surround
ing her with luxury she might have
been a blessing rather than curse to
| mankind.
At any rate Paul found himself con-
doning her faults and feeling more
| cha rit hlu diSnnsed toward her.