Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1903-08-12
MYSTERIOUS
MISS DACRES
By Mrs. Schuyler Crowninshield.
Copyright 1901. by ]. B. Llppincott Co.
CHAPTER VII.-CoNr1NUEp.

/ arose to my feet at once. Whom
should suspect? The Sister of Char
ity of course; and I was right, as
events will show. Just here 1 heard
shout. The sound of mems voices.
Then came a piercing scream, sin
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. ] ran swift
ly down the stairs, unbarred and un-
locked the door, for 1 heard Johns
voice among the rest, and Mr.. Bel
don's in mild protest. 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 a voice, which
I recognized as the voice of Bob Jen-
nings. All, it was the Sister of Char
ity whom he had captured. 1 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 a click, and then
she gave another piercing scream
which had something of Familiarity
in 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 a 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 Q dreadful picture they made
in the clear moonlight. It was ter
rible to me to see detective holding
woman as prisoner, and, that wo-
man sister of a religious body. I
remember that Jennings said, mo,
no! don't go in here. The ladies are
i'll" l wondered how he knew. ''Let
us go round to the kitchen door. Mrs.
Rrathwaite, can you let us imp"
ran through the hall to the kitchen,
which door 1 unbolted and admitted
the officers and the captured prey.
DO you know this man, Mrs.
Brathwaite?" said Jennings.
NO." said 1, ST do not.''
Nor this lady?''
II never saw her before" said I, cat
least until this evening. She is 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 your" he said, almost
foaming at the mouth. Had 1 my
hands free, priest of the church as
am, would brain you, you coward,
where you stand"
"Yes, 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 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 I recognize but Amaranthe
Darlington.
"Oh!" cried, ''but this is some
mistake. How dare you? She is
only masquerading!"