Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-04-01

"Ah! But 1t strikes me AZ little
strange that you did not notice these
signs of disorder when you entered your
chamber"
"Now, Lucian, what an idea"' she ex-
claimed; 'is 1t likely that, In the dim
candle light and considering the excite
ment I was laboring under, should be
struck by the sight Of a few rain drops
and a smouch Of mud3 How absurd!
Why should the damage not have been
done by one Of the dogs? They are fond
Of me, and often come up to my ROOM"
"Dogs do not climb veranda posts to
second story windows, my dear; and your
doors were locked"
IT locked them"
"But I found your window open!"
upon hearing my approach, the dog
might have escaped by that meansl'
"You say the dogs are fond Of you, and
dogs in general are too intelligent to
risk any such jump as that. No, my love-
1t was no Quadruped that entered your
chamber tonight. 1t was mani!
He felt her weight grow heavier in
his arms, but she managed to preserve
consciousness enough to falter:
w nat Iuuhcp yOu lhAL1h W.
"I have instituted search of the
place. and have made certain discov-
cries."
Her hands set like a wise upon his
arm.
"Discoveriesv' she gasped, what dis
coveriesT
'That some one climbed the pillar Of
the veranda nearest your window by
means Of the vines, and that the print
Of a horses hoofs is fresh in the soil Of
the lime-tree. walk that leads up to that
| side Of the house. Which facts incline
me to your belief, that thieves have en-
tered the house."
"Lucian, l told you So" she cried
wildly; at Is true. There must have
been a plot to rob us while we were at
church. Don't you seer"
Lucian Courtlandt pressed his lips up
on the damp, pallid brow, and gently de-
posting the graceful form upon the cuEh-
ions of the sofa, he rose with the words:
"You are over-excited and tired, poor
child. You had better rest here tonight.
| We will leave Rosemont at daybreak.
| Nay, lie still; 1 will send Diana to you"
She dared not demonstrate for fear of
arousing the suspicious which she had
lulled into oblivion. SO she closed her
eyes with well-feigned WEAKNESS, and
Courtlandt left her to summon her
| maid.
No sooner had the door shut his man
ly figure from view when Sylphide start
ed up upon her elbow, her dilated eyes
burning with that deep red fire that one
sees In hungry VOLTS. She held her
breath and counted his retreating foot
steps, till they fell away into silence at
the extremity Of the long hall. Then
she sprang to her feet, her pallid face
afame with animation, every nerve vi
brating like the rudely swept strings of
harp.
Saved" she painted triumphantly;
saved! But what a narrow escape.
have bridged the abyss with a straw,
and passed safely over. shall be on
my guard in future; it can never happen
again. Were I to meet Oscar Coura-
mont a hundred times, l should never
be such fool again"
The exultant soliloquy was cut short
by the abrupt opening of the door, and
young mulatto girl, with remarkably
pretty, keen face, entered. She paused
at sight Of her mistress pacing to and
fro SO excitedly, and Sylphide paused
also, fixing a sharp, questioning glance
upon her maid
What Is 1t, Diana" she demanded,
swiftly; you have heard something;
see 1t in your face" .....
Il haven't heard anything, Missy
Sylph," replied the girl, "but I've seen
something-Mass' Oscar"
Diana did not draw breath for fully
minute after that unwelcome announce
ment, for Sylphide's small hand was set
upon her lips like a seal.
"Hush!' she breathed, do not dare to
lisp his name until we are gone. Ny
husband does not know Of his existence,
and must never know, If we can help it.
| Where was my cousin?'
In the lime-tree walk, Missy-mount-
in his horse"
Thank heaven he's gone, then, for
the night! Are the trunks ready pack
ed, Diana3'
| Yes, Missy, packed and strapped"
See that they are loaded on the wag-
on tonight; we start at daybreak, and
you 80 with me- l may have need of
you In more ways than one."
Scarcely .Nld the eastern horizon bepun
to flush with the promise of day. when
the family coach. followed by the bag
gage wagon, rolled swiftly down the road
that led into the river valley; and two
hours later Mr.. Oscar Couramont rode
into the court yard at Rosemont, to be
informed that, if he had come to break
fast, his meal must be a solitary one.
(To be continued,l
Ant 20 u. Cto....,