Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-11-23
CHAPTER NZXI.
Continued.

HluNll uDOul L tuUh IL lOl
he was what he said he was. Why"
Because l had strange suspicion
last night when l saw the fellow who
attacked you lying on the floor at the
foot of the staircase. Though l had
not noticed it before, l thought then
that he had an eye like the italian
whom l saw for a minute in your
rooms. If that is so, and he is Montelli
In disguise, or, what is more probable
Montcli was this man in disguise, then
the two matters are one and the plot
~gainst you is of long standing"
st may be-" she acknowledged. "it
may be. But it is all over now. Why
think of it,"
Because l do not feel at ease about
him; nor do you, for all your seeming
gayety. l have caught you more than
once gancing in visible apprehension
toward the door, as if you feared re-
newed sight of your murdcrous persc-
cutor."
"Did betray myself like that" she
asked, then stopped and exclaimed
with sudden conviction: 1T is because
great pleasures never seem quite real
cannot believe that l shall be allowed
TO step into this immense fortune
without some disaster to damUen my
happiness. 1t would be like the Won
aers of a fairy tale occurring to an or
dinary mortal"
But you are not mortal: you are Il
witch. or one Of the fairies themselves;
so you shou!. believe in your happi-
ness, Only"-he grew more serious here
II do not want you to trust it so
much as to be reckless. This fellow is
in custody, but he may manage to es-
cape, and though you certainly have
nothing more to fear from his clp!dity
you may have for his revenge. He will
never forget that through YOU he has
lost, as he thinks, the possibility of
handling an immense sum of money"
''DG you wish to tcrrify me- she in
quired, with frightened look.
"NO, no; how can yoU think of it? |
only wish to warn you, so that if you
ever have reason to think he is in any
way engaged in doing you harm YOU
will notify the police and procure a
guardian to watch over your safety.
I Cannot rest in peace unless you prom.
ise me this. VIII you: otherwise |
shall not be able to sleep at night"
She smiled. 1t was almost Il sad
smile; it certainly was al appealing
one. But he had fixed the boundaries
to his sympathy, and would not over
step them.
promise me- he persisted.
ITO take care OF myself" she que.
ried. "Ah it is easy to do that. | am
too anxious to show the world and you
that | can bear the honOrs Of my posi-
ton and not forget my Old friends"
1t was charmingly said; it came like
dew TO his thirsty and longing heart
He caught her hand in his and pressed
it with more than friendly warmth
but in that very act drew back and
made his final bow.
You make it too hard for me- he re.
Iiear, and yet to feel one is restrained
from enjoying it by the most solemn
of secret oaths, is torture to such an
jmpetuouS nature as mine. | shall
therefore turn my back upon the gates
/ may not enter, and not till three
months have elapsed will you sCc me
again. Goodbye, dearest of women.
goodbye
And he was gone.
For moment she stood in that bow
er of greenery where he had lett her,
courageously smiling as long as he was
within sight and liable to turn his face
again for farewell look, but when the
trees had quite hidden him, and his
quick step was no longer to be heard
Oh the graveled walk, then her lovely
countenance fell and 4 startling look
Of care took the place of her former
EXPRESSION of triumph. While This was
still visible on her face, and before she
had reached the door which led into
the house, young man stepped Oui
of this same door and confronted her
It was Mr.. Byrd.
For an instant it seemed as il she
did not know him, for though she
paused she did not speak. But as he
bowed with great respect her smiles
came back and she greeted him cor.
daily.
"Ah." said she, Il was hoping for an
opportunity to cXnrcss my obligation
to you. From what have you not
saved me?'
From more than you think" was his
somewhat enigmatical reply 81 ha e
news 10 give you, Miss Rogers. The
man who made the attempt upon your
life last night is dead"
She Iecoled rs if he had struck her.
"Dead?' she repeated. in incredulous
tones; then, as she saw that she had
not mistaken his words, and that he
meant what he said. she suddenly
flushed with an overwhelming and I'M
comfortable joy as unmistakable as it
was apparently unconscious.
The detective watched her curiously
"How did it happen" she now cried.
"When? Where"
He tried to escape from us at the
depot He fell under the cars. You
need never fear anything from him
again"
She turned her face away. Horrors
were not lacking from this day of
triumph, and yet this horror robbed
her Of nameless dread.