Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-01-09

Ituluuul VI MS DelleI NATURE anu lneH
he tried to open the door, but 1t was
locked.
Alice heard the slight noise and
breaking Off her reading turned TO
look. Hamilton made another effort
to enter before he recollected that the
wooden key, or notched lever, that con
trolled the cumbrous wooden lock
hung on peg beside the door, He felt
for It along the wall, and soon laid his
hand on 1t. Then again he peeped
through to see Alice, who was now
standing upright, near the swivel. She
had thrown her hair back from her
face and neck; the lamps fiickering
light seemed suddenly to have magni-
ned her stature and enhanced her
beauty. Her book lay on the tumbled
wraps at her feet, and In either hand
she grasped a swivel shot.
Hamiltons combative disposition
came to the aid of his baser passion
when he saw once more defiant fash
from his prisoners face. 1t was easy
for him to be fascinated by opposition.
Helm had proHted by this trait as
much as others had suffered by it, but
In the case of Alice, Hamilton's min
gled resentment and admiration were
but a powerful irritant to the coarsest
and most dangerous side OF his nature.
After some fumbling and delay he
fitted the key with steady hand and
moved the wooden. bolt. creaking and
jolting. from its slot. Then nlnging the
clumsy door wide open, he stepped In.
Alice started when she recognized the
midnight intruder, and second deep
er look into his countenanco made her
brave heart recoil, while with sink
ing sensation her breath almost stop
ped 1t was but a momentary weak
ness, however followed by vigorous
reaction.
"What are you here for, slr?' she
demanded. What do you wantT"
II am neither a burglar nor muir
derer, mademoisclle," he responded,
lifting his hat and bowling, with
smile not in the least reassuring.
you look like both. Stop where
you arew
Not so loud, my dear Miss Roussil-
Ion. l am not deaf, and, besides, the
garrison needs to Sleep
"Stop, sir; not another stepp
She poised herself, leaning slightly
backward. and held the iron ball In her
right hand ready to throw It at him.
He halted, still smiling villainously.
"Mademoisele l assure you that
your excitement is quite unnecessary.
am not here TO harm you.'
"You cannot harm me, you cowardly
wretchw
"Humph Pride goes before a fall
wench," he retorted, taking half step
backward. Then a thought arose In
his mind which added a new shade to
the repellent darkness OF his counte-
nance.
"NIiss Rousslllon," he said In Eng
llsh and with a changed voice, which
] liberately emphasized, II have come to
| break some bad news TO you"
"You would scarcely bring me good
news. sir, and | am not curious to hear
the bad"
He was silent for little while, gaz-
ing at her with the sort of admiration
from which "A true woman draws away
appalled,. He saw how she loathed
him, saw how impossible II was for
him TO get line nearer to her by any
turn Of force or fortune. Brave. high
headed, strong as a young leopard,
pure and sweet as a rose, she stood be-
fore him fearless. even aggressive,
showing him by every line of her face
and form that she felt her infinite SUI
perlority and meant TO maintain Il.
Her whole personal expression told
him he was defeated, therefore he
quickly seized upon suggestion
caught from transaction with Long
Hair, who had returned a few hours
before from his pursuit OF Beverley.
1T pains me. / assure you, Miss
Roussillon, to tell you what will prob
ably grleve you deeply" ne presently
added; "but / have not been unaware
OF your tender interest I'm Lieutenant
Beverley. and when / had bad news
from him | thought II my duty TO In.
form you"
He paused, feeling with a devils sat
isfaction the point Of his statement go
home 10 the girls heart
The Indian. Long Hair. whom | sent
upon Lieutenant Bovcrlcy's trail re-
ported 10 me this afternoon that hia
pursuit had been quite successful. Hc
caught his game"
Alice's voice came 10 her now. She
drew IN quiycrlng breath OF relief.
Then he Is here-he is You have
him prisoner againY
"A part OF him. Miss Rousslllon.
Enough 10 bc quite sure that there Is
one traitor who win trouble his King
no more. Mr. Long Hair brought In
tie lieutenapt's scalp"
Alice received this horrible statement
IN silence but her fare blanchcd aud
she stood as II frozen by the shock.
The shlfty moon gllmmcr and the vol
low glow of the lamp showed Hamn.
ton 10 what an extent his devllish c.u
city huit her. ana somehow II chllicd
/. A.. o