Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-08-02

keeping such an appointment a secret
from her friends, the probabilities were
that she would walk. At the point where
the bye-road debouched 5rougham was
to be placed, in which would be stationed
two of Wylie's emissaries, who would
seize, gag, put her into the carriage and
drive her to house on the outskirts of
London-in short, to the residence of
Mr.. Fig, the confidential clerk.
Mr.. Figs residence was situated in
lonely wayside place. Every precaution
was taken to prevent her forming any
idea of the neighborhoods that she passed
through the blinds of the carriage being
kept up the whole way, and the horses
driven at a furious pace, without once
stopping until they reached their destina-
tion.
When, half dead with terror, one of the
men carried her into the house and re-
moved the gag from her mouth, he told
her in firm but respectful tone not to be
under any apprehension of III treatment; {;
that her confinement would be only for
few days. To her indignant demands
this outrage, no answer was returned.
| But the sight Of respectable looking,
middle-aged woman somewhat reassured
her.
| On the evening Of the 1st of December
she received the joyful intelligence that
she would be restored to her friends on
that night. She was again placed in the
brougham; the same precautions were
taken as before, and in less than an hour
she found herself standing free in the
| Regents Circus. The whole affair was
now more strange to her than ever, as
she could not form the slightest Idea OF
what motive it could have served. In
great delight, however, at her happy de-
liverance, she engaged cab and drove to
Harley street.
Sir Launce had come to town to en-.
deavor to raise the money to pay on the
mortgage. The meeting between father
and son was a gloomy one.
For time Arthur's absorbing passion
for Eleonore distracted his mind from al
other things. But now a reaction set in
and the future was before his eyes il
all its darkness. What would his fathel
say to the marriage he had contracted?
Eleonore did not see him for two who'll
days 1t was great relief to her wheI
he did return, to find no change In hin
beyond deeper sadness. She also hat
been very anxious during those two days
She eagerly inquired how matters stood
for Arthur had now confded to her hi
| &. ha oot1
every effort my father could be induces
to make has failed, and it wants nov
but four days to the thirtieth."
Instead of seeing her face fall, as b
expected, he was greatly surprised to Sc
it break out into smiles. "All hope i
not over" she said, kissing him; II hav
the means of saving, Penrhyddyn yet J"
, "You?" he cried, amazedly.
"Yes, 1 l have a paper in my pos
session; but l forgot-before l tell yo
must make certain conditions you mus
not ask me how became possessed of II
Will you trust me so far?"
J Arthur having assented in much aston
, ishment, she produced that anonymou
letter which had been so frequently men
r toned, and which she had procured fror
Wylie on the previous day:
"Why, this was enclosed in letter o
r mine that was lost In its passage throug
the post" he cried.
s what do you say?" she exclaimed
flushing.
He told her how he had received thi
}. communication, and had forwarded it o
s to his father, whom it had never reached
4 This set her thinking. How, then, cam
j it into Wylie's possession? She felt III
4 easy; there was something suspicion
e about this circumstance.
| "At present" she said, after fe'
moments reflection, 81 cannot tell 20
how it came into my possession. But d
n not lose a moment in putting It into you
) fathers hands, and impressing upon hil
q to see to it instantly"
e He went; and, after some difficult!
d prevailed upon Sir Launce to promis
that he would see the lawyers in Bee
ford Row next morning, and to inquir
: into the particulars.
e Eleonore's mind became wracked wit
: fears and suspicion lest Wylie shoul
: have deceived her. But he would nc
e dare" she thought; "he would be afrai
$ of my revenge"
d Arthur returned that evening and tol
I her that Sir Launce had yielded to h
o persuasions. Although the Intelligent
o somewhat relieved her. she felt feverishl
t anxious for the result
: After an almost sleepless night, 81
n rose next morning, pale, i'll and dispiri
e ed. AS the fatal day drew nearer an
+ nearer, her hopes began to falter, and
: feeling of despair to sink into her hear
But love was purifying her nature. Nevt
d before had she been brought into conta'
t with so noble nature as that of Arthr
e Penrhyddyn, and she began to cling
e him with an almost unselfsh affection.
This is a sad beginning to your ma
+ ried life, my darling" he said, looking {
= her pallid face and sunken eyes
r "Oh, IL we can but save Penrhyddyn
}. | she murmured III care not what suffer