The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-10-09
CHAPTER XIV.

himself with wonderful energy from
the prostration into which my story
had thrown him. Il viii send after her.
She shalt be brought back. Ho! Said
win! Martini" he cried loudly. Send
Baldwin hither. BE quick thcre!"
Out of tho ruck of servants in n
about the hall Baldwin came rushing
presently. wipirg his lips as he app
proached. n single glance at OBJ face
aobercd him. send Martin down to
the mill" sir Anthony ordered curt
ly. bid him tell my daughter if she
be there To ccme back. and DO you sad
die a couple of horses and be ready to
ride with Master I~'ranois to Watney's
farm and on to Stratfurd if 1t be ncces-
sary. Lose not Il minute. My daugh-
ter Is with Master Ferdinand. My order
Is that she eturn."
The fcol had come up only a pace
or two behind the steward. DO you
hear. Martini" I added eagerly. turning
to him. My thoughts. busy with the
misery which might befall her in their
hands. maddencd me. You will bring
her back IL you find her. mind YOU
He Gid not answer. but his eyes gilt
tered rs they met mine, and I knew
that he unG l,rstood. AS he fitted 81
lently across the court and disappeared
under the gateway / knew that no
hound could be more sure. 1 knew
that he would not leave the trail. until
he had found P%etronilla. though he
had to follow her for many n mile. We
might have to pursue the fugitives to
Stratford. but felt sure that Martins
lean figure keen dark face would
be there to meet US.
Us? No. Sir Anthony indeed said to
me. You will H.. of course"" speak
ing as IL only answer were posi-
BILE.
But II was ~. to be so. SO" I said:
you bad better so, sir. Or Baldwin can
be trusted. He a take two or three
Of the yrooms. They should be armed"
l added i'm u lower tone.
My uncle looked ard mt me and then
save his as-2nt. no longer wondering
why ] did not so. Instead, lie bade
Baldwin do as I had suggested. In
truth. my,heart was so hot with wrath
low.llcst my father. In his stern. mock
highway should refuse to let her go
n harm should happen between us.
IL ] were right In my suspicious. and
he had capped his intrigue by deliber-
etely getting the gif! I loved into his
tia I would share With him il ] sue
ceeded To the estate or as u means of
nxtorting money from his brother. then
I dared not trust myself face to face
with him. If l could have
and ridden after,my love. l could have
ooLlIG IL DCltCit Oul lIIc Cliiisc SeeIltu u
cling to me still. My worse foe was
One against whom l could not lift my
hard.
but what my uncle asked, his voice
Auivering. though his words seemed in
tended to combat my fears. what can
he do. lad? She is his niece"
What" i answered, with IL shudder.
II do not know but 1 fear everything.
II he should elude us and take her
abroad with hiim-heaven help her. sir!
He will use her somehow to gain his
ends-or kill her"
Sir Anthony wiped his brow with a
trembling hand. Baldwin will over
take them" he said.
Let us hope So" I answered. Alas.
how far fell fruition hort OF antici-
patton! This was my time of triumph.
You had better go In, sir" l said
presently, gaining a little mastery
over myself. II see Sir Philip has re-
turned from settling his men for the
night. He and Greville.will be wonder
ing what has happened"
And you%" he suid.
II cannot I answered, shaking my
head.
After he had gone I stood awhile in
the shadow en the far side of the court
listening to the clntter of knive and
dishes. the cheerful hum of the SER
wants as they called to one another,
the hurrying footsteps of the maids.
A dog crept out and licked my hand
1T hung .%nervcless by my side. Sure
IL Martin. or Baldwin would overtake
them. or IL not 1t still was not so easy
tn lake a girl abroad against her will.
But would that be his plan? He must
nave hiding places in England to which
he might take her. telling her any wild
story of her fathers death or flight or
perhaps OF her w danger If her
whereabouts We're known. / had had
experience of his daring. of his cum
his plausibility. lax he not taken
in all with whom he had come into
contact. except by some strange fate
10 be sure. Anne was not alto
Eetaer without feeling of conscience.
but she Was his-hissentirely, body and
soul. Yes. If I could have followed. /
could have borne 1t better. 1t was this
dreadful inaction which was killing
me.
The hustle and voices OF the servants.
who We're in high spirits. so irritnted
me at last that I wandered way. going
I walked up and down i'll u fever Of
U n fear. much rs I had done
on the last evening I had spent at
Cotton. Then II fancy seized me. and
turning from the Gshpond 1 walked
toward the house: Crossing the moat.
I made for the church door and tried
1t. It was unlocked. I vent in. Here
ut least In he sacred place 1 should
n Quietness md unable to help my
self IN tails terrible crisis might get help
n to whom my extremity was
b1t an opportunity.
I walked UP The aisle, and finding all
IN darkness, the moon ut the
being obscured. felt my way as far as
Cir Piers fiat monument and sat down
1t. / had been there scarcely a
minute when u faint sound. which
seemed rather q sigh or an audible
shudder than n a%rticulate word.
rnme out of the darkness in front of
,ne. My great trouble had seemed to
make superstitious fears for the time
Impossible. but at this sound 1 started
and trembled, and holding my breath
felt q cold sliver run down my back.
Motionless l peered before me and yet
could see nothing. All was gloom, the
only distinguishable feature being the
cast window.
What was that? A soft rustic as of
Phostly garments moving in the aisle
was succeeded by another sigh which
made me rise from my seat, my a
s%tiffening. Then I saw the outline of
The east window growing brighter and
brighter. and I knew that the moon
was about TO shine clear Of the clouds
and longed to turn and fly yet did not
dare to move.
Suddenly the light fell on the altar
steps and disclosed a kneeling form
which seemed to be partly turned
Oyvard me. The face I COuid not see