The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-01-16

I In opposite cornerstone vas Joe
| Drawn, calm and unrufied. and the
| other a handsome young fellow, who
1 manifested the liveliest signs Of i'm
patience.
"Oh. I can't stand this any longer!
shall never get to Stallfeld tonight.
1t can only be a few miles from here;
/ shall get out and walk"
Jaw, sure, an IL ye're going to
Stallfeld, anil accept my company,
I'll come with We. I don't know me
way much about here, but I've taken
a little place near John Brent's cot
tage."
Il happen to be going to see John
before we may be able to help each
other"
Jaw, yis, an it's meself ash be glad
to stretch me legs. But We wouldn't
be In sech a hurry to sec the old gen.
tleman; it'll be the bonny lass as fills
yer eye, AVN thinkin'."
do you know Miss Brent?"
Il w Gil III 1 lnCt InC SWdIC httiO
creetur to-day, with my old friend.
Kate Pilrig, or Dauncey, as she calls
herself now; an faith / guess yell be
Godfrey West"
"That is my name, certainly, but I
am surprised that you should know It"
Jaw. sure, there's no surprise about
it, SEEM that your name was the last
the colleen spoke when she left us at
London Bridge. So as I know you, I
may tell We that I'm Joe Drawn Of
Ballarat."
81 am very glad to meet you, so
come along, and we'll get out of this"
They got into the high road, and
were soon walking along chatting like
old friends. AS they neared Stallield
they heard the toot of a horn, and in
the distance a motor car came dash
ing toward them at a terrific pace.
Look out, or they'll run US down."
shouted West.
They iattened themselves up
against a hedge, and the car went past
in a flash.
"a couple OF madmen, I should
think, racing like that On a dark
night"
Faith, It seemed to me as II there
were three people in ut. Aw, yis;
that chap at the back was holdin'
somebody down."
They renewed their walk, and in a
few minutes John Brent's cottage was
in sight. AS they neared it they found
all in darkness.
Strange They can't have retired
so early as this; 1t is not yet nine.
What are you looking for?"
Drawn had struck a match and was
closely examining the road.
"Nawthin'. I got into the habit OF
lookin' about for things when l was a
member Of the mounted police in Aus
tralia. Pears ter me that that there
moty car made a considerable stop
right here, an that piece of blue stuff
'angin' on the gate latch came OFF the
dress Miss Brent wore to-day. Yis,
sure"
what does It mean?" asked West.
saw, an we'll o o see."
Drawn knocked at the door, but
there was no response. The latch
yielded to his touch, and they went in.
All was in darkness. West struck a
match and lit a candle which was on
the table, and then a scene of dire
confusion presented itself. Chairs
were overturned, crockery smashed.
and everything turned upside down.
Good heavens! what Is that?"
And lying on the hearthrug was
John Brent, a quiet, huddled-up little
figure with blood slowly oozing from
his mouth.
saw, the poor old gentleman; an I
warned him not to keep the diamont
here. Aw, yis, they've been after It
sure enough"
what diamond? What are you
talking about?"
"a diamont he bought from me to-
day, the Empires Dream the finest
gem in the world; but a the old
chap be dead? Clear the table, an.
I'll lift him up"
He lifted the still figure as II It had
been a baby.
Ito Be Continued.)