The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-12-31
A I Official Lii Vendetta
WELDON j. COBB

asylum he could strike a railroad. but it
might be to run directly into a nest of
attendants on the lookout for him. Again.
he knew nothing of the train schedule. lie
resolved to press onward on foot, trusting
to general ideas of direction and distance
to cover the straight twenty miles before
daylight.
But, a man badly injured in a brutal
melee and shut up in an unwholesome
prison for a week, Hope found that he
was scarcely in normal shape He pro-
ceeded more slowly than he had calcu-
lated. The lonely country road Cypress
ed him. He became footsore and dizzy
headed.
Hope welcomed light shining in the
distance He kept it in sight as a bea-
con. and traced it TO the window of a
cabin near quarry.
A knock at its door brought thither
an uncouth laborer, sleepy eyed and I'M
civil
What you want?" he challenged
gruffly.
~ horse, or a horse and vehicle" re-
sponded Hope promptly. Only for few
hours See-I will pay literally to Sc
cure the means of getting at once to
Murryville."
I've got no horse" advised the man.
land there's no place between here and
Murryville that l know Of where you
could get a rig-hold on - he interrupted
himself; 'there is
"Where?' eagerly demanded Hope.
go down the road a mile"
"Yesr
you'll come to the old Thorndyke
place. Some strangers have rented it
lately, and they keep a horse and car
riage-Tve seen 'em."
"Good!'
Hope tossed the man a coin as a re-
ward for his cheering information, and
put forward with renewed ardor.
The district was rough, barren and not
a habitation did he pass until he came
in sight of what had once been quite a
pretentious residence, probably formerly
that of some person interested in the
quarries in the vicinity.
1t was lighted up, front and side. As
Hope approached, he, too, made out sta
bles at the rear.
II must get conveyance here, he
ruminated. 1T is only ten miles to
Murryville, but l don't seem to be able
to walk it on foot. l am dreaming
These last words fell from his lips in
wild gasp as, crossing an unkept gar
den space, he fixed his eyes upon a man
seated in a lighted room. and smoking
leisurely.
The windows were open, the lamplight
showed him plainly
"Percy Kane"
Like one i'm a trance, rooted, incredu-
lous, Hope gazed in at the man. His
temples throbbed, the old fever of hatred
and vengeance crowded back the mission
that had strangely guided him to this
spot, to this vital, unaccountable discov-
cry.
Firmly he set his lips-his hands clos
ed. unclosed-his breath came hard. Gid
con went around to the front. An open
door showed a hallway-at its end the
room in which Kane sat.
"He shall tell me-of her-of Claire !"
Kissed Hope, and noiselessly entered the
place.
As he crossed the threshold of the
inner room Kane sprang up. His eyes
dilated He brushed one hand swiftly
across them, as if to exclude an unreal
vision, though he paled, and his lips part
ed, aghast
The .;ternness of conformation was lost
for Hope, for as Kane arose a singular
revelation caused the former to stare la
amaze.
About one wrist Of Kane was bright,
strong handcuf, and a chain ran from
this to a stout marble pillar Of the orna-
mental fireplace.
Lost in wonderment and mystery. Hope
exclaimed:
What does this mean?"
Kane had grown steadily whittier. But
now rather defiant and reckless than af-
frighted.
His lips parted, but ere he could speak
there was a sound in the adjoining room.
a swishing frou-frou, like the rustling of
sillsen skirts.
Quick as q flash. Kane turned, pointed
through the opening connecting doorway.
and said in bitter mockery:
ASK her! ~
"Your-wife?" breathed Hope. and his
senses reeled as he caught sight of a
graceful feminine figure arrayed in taste
full evening attire.
Claire His heart seemed bursting
within him. Claire! Were they to meet
thus at last?
He took step forward to address her,
to once more view that lovely beloved
face.
What would she say at the recognition?
What could she say. save to hurl upon
the man who had driven her to link her
destiny with tlat of the deepest scoundrei
on earth, words of reproach and con-
tempt!
Claire Miss Denslowi Mrs Kane -
The woman turned. They came face
to face
Great heavens ~ rang from Gideon
Hopes ashen lips, his heart in a tumult,