Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1905-06-09

sand per year. Bit by bit, it has been
sold and mortgaged. l lost a thousand
on the. last Derby; that was the last
straw. My debts amount to some eight
or ten thousand; my doors are besieged
by duns; my credit all but stopped, and
am all but penniless. If 1 could once
show proofs that / was my uncle's heir,
my creditors would cease to press, and
/ could raise more money. On the other
hand, If things remain as they are,
should have to fly the country, beggar."
But how do you propose to induce
your uncle to alter his will while he be-
lieyes that his granddaughter is aliveT
Suppose it could be proved to him
that she was dead?"
The two mems eyes met in a long,
searching look; each one was trying to
read the others secret thoughts.
"Supposing," Rodwell went on, Il
could hit upon a plan to silence-to re-
move both Judith and Clara at the same
time? Nothing could then stand in my
way"
What do you mean?' asked Mont
gomery, with a scared look.
"You seem excessively dull to-day"
exclaimed Rodwell, irritably; especial
ly when your own interests and safety
are as much concerned as my own. Could
not the girl prove that it was you who
abducted her?-and as you could not
furnish your judge with unexceptionable
references as to your moral character,
that would be enough to give you two
years on the treadmill, besides the loss
Of all the money / have promised you.
Let us carry my plan to a successful
conclusion, and will sign a deed to pay
you five hundred year for life. should
not think it would take you long to de-
eide between the two pictures"
"Speak out, and let me know what you
want" said Montgomery, uneasily.
"You-to help me to get rid of both
Judith and Clara!' cried Rodwell bold
ly. Suppose that the house should catch
know, sometimes, without any one dis
covering the cause, and people frequently
are lost in such fires"
"This is abominable" cried Montgom-
cry.
$50 thought, at first. The house is
heavily insured, too; we could share the
insurance money between u.s."
"But what purpose could such fear
fui crime serve? You would not dare
confess to your uncle that the girl was in
your house; and, unless you could prove
to him that she was dead, her death
would be useless to you
81 have thought of all that. If this
thing could be arranged, should drive
off to Morley's at once, tell him that
had traced my cousin, taken her under
my protection, lodged her safely i'll the
Manor House, offer to drive him over
there at once. When we arrive there it
would be heap of cinders."
Montgomery shuddered as he listened
to the diabolical ingenuity of this horri
BILE plot
"But how would you account for the
| girls disappearance-for your meeting
with herP he asked.
''In a hundred waysr' was the reply.
Before she ran away from home, she
| betrayed symptoms of incipient insan.
ity. The actions and adventures of such
people cannot be measured by the stand,
ard of everyday life"
what part do you want me to play
in the tragedy" asked Montgomery.
Il should have to go over to my uncle.
You would do the rest!'
well, give me a little time to think
over it."
81 will give you half an hour" said
Rodwell, looking at his watch. He was
perfectly calm and self-possessed. His
face was stern and resolved. He left
the room, and Montgomery heard the
key turn in the lock.
ITO be continuedN