Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-08-14
MYSTERIOUS
MISS DACRES
By Mrs. Schuyler Crowninshie1d.
Copyright 1901. by J. B. Lippincott Co.
CHAPTER VII.-CoNr1NUED.


shonld I suspect? The Sister of Char
ity of course; and I was right, as
events will show. Just here I heard
q shout. The sound of mems voices.
Then came a piercing scream, sim
gle revolver-shot was fired, and then
L heard the sound of running feet.
The steps were coming toward the
great door of the Hall. i ran swift
ly down the stairs, unbarred and I'M
locked the door, for I heard Johns
voice among the rest, and Mr.. Bel
don's in mild protest. I came out up
on the broad top step of the stone
fight in the brilliant moonlight. A
group of people were below me. A
woman had just sprung upon the
lower step as L opened the door, and
had run little way upward.
mo use, JOSIE said voice, which
/ recognized as the voice of Bob Jen-
nings. All, it was the Sister of Char
ity whom he had captured. I was
right after, all. He sprung up the
two or three steps, caught her in
his grasp, and snapped something up
on her wrists with click, and then
she gave another piercing scream
which had something of familiarity
III it.
remember hoping that she would
not awaken the ladies and Amaran-
the. All three would be terrified
poor, nervous little Amaranthe more
than all. Behind Jennings came two
men in policemen's uniform, and be-
tween them they dragged, almost
carried, man in the garb of priest.
His hat had fallen off, and I could see
his tonsured head. His face was
smooth shaver, and pale from fright
and anger. They came, all of them,
part way up the steps. I remember
what a dreadful picture they made
in the clear moonlight. 1t was ter
rible to me to see a detective holding
q woman as a prisoner, and that wo-
man a sister of a religious body. I
remember that Jennings said, mo,
no! don't go in here. The ladies are
ILL.," I wondered how he knew. "Let
us go round to the kitchen door. Mrs
Brathwaite, can you let us IMP" I
ran through the hall to the kitchen,
which door I unbo1ted and admitted
the officers and the captured prey
do you know this man, Mrs.
Brathwaite?" said Jennings.
NO." said I, ST do not"
Nor this lady?''
II never saw her BEFORE" said I, Eat
least until this evening. She is a per-
feet stranger to me-
Jennings raised his hand towards
the Sisters white cap. She bent her
body'in futile struggles. He held the
gives upon her wrist, as if in a vice,
with one of his strong hands. The
priest was pale at this treatment of
the Sister.
How dare you?'' he said, almost
foaming at the mouth. Had 1 my
hands free, priest of the church as
1 am, would brain you, you coward,
where you stand.''
Eyes, I dare say you would" said
Jennings, but, you see, your hands
are not free" He again raised his
@ hand towards the Sisters Golf; again
: she lodged, bent double, strained
backward, to avoid him, but all to
= no purpose, for, with a quick and dex-
ferrous upward throw of his arm he
knocked the white cap to the floor.
The dark hair went with it; whom
should / recognize but Amaranthe
Darlington.
"Oh!" I cried, ''but this is some
mistake. How dare you: She is
only masquerading!"
''Wibbyi Wibby!" said Amaranthe,
trying to stretch out her manacled
hands to me, "save me from this in
dignity. My aunts will save me. Go
and tell them, Wibby. go and tell
them
''Now don't get excited, JOSIE" said
Jennings.
$50 you don't know that gentle
man, Mrs. Brathwaite," continued
Jennings, nodding at the priest
Father Darby!"
I withdrew my eyes from little
Amaranthe, dazed and wondering, al.
most too weak to speak, and only
gasped, NO
-Try your lightning change, Hoyt