The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-12-25
CHAPTER XVI.
A NIeiOp of tha Niobe

smile.
What have l been doing now?" !
asked.
THAT is what you are to tell me.
Papa told us a little about your saving
his life and his plans this morning, but
he was SO very short about 1t. Vas
this the arm that was hurt?"
I started to give a brief description
of my mornings adventure, but there
was something in my listeners face
that called forth detail after detail.
and her eyes kindled as I told the tale
of the battle that won Omega in the
stock Board, and the fight that res.
cued the fruits of victory in the Office
of the company.
There Is something fine in 1t, after
ALL" she said when l was through.
There Is something left OF the spirit
Of the old Adventures and the
knights"
l took her hand, and she let 1t lie a
moment before she drew it away.
81 think 1 am more than repaid" I
said.
ooh, yes" she said, changing her
tone to one Of complete indifference.
Papa said he made you a director"
Yes, I said, taking my cue from
her manner 81 have the happiness
to share the honor with three other
dummies. Your father makes the
fifth"
How absurd" laughed Luella. do
you want to provoke me?"
Don't mind me, Henry" interrupted
the voice of Mrs. Knapp.
But I must" said l, giving her
greeting. What service do you re.
quire?"
Tell me what you have been do.
ing?"
Il have just been telling Miss Luz
ella"
and what, may / ask"
Il was explaining this mornings
troubles"
"Oh, l heard a little of them from
Mr.. Knapp. Have you had any mor
Of your adventures at Borton's and
other dreadful places?"
l considered a moment, and then, as
1 could see no reason for keeping 81.
lent, l gave a somewhat abridged &C.
count of my Livermore trip, emitting
reference to the strange vagaries Of
the Doddridge Knapp who travelled by
night.
had reason to be flattered by the
attention of my audience. Both women
leaned forward with wide-open eyes,
and followed every word with eager in.
terest.
THAT was a dreadful danger you
escaped" said Mrs. Knapp with a
shudder. 81 am thankful, indeed, to
see you with us with no greater hurt"
Luella said nothing, but the look she
gave me set my heart dancing in a
way that all Mrs. Knapp's praise could
not.
81 do hope this dreadful business
will end soon," said Mrs. Knapp. "Do
you think this might be the last Of it?
NO." said l, remembering my note |
had received from the Unknown on my
return, there's much more to be
DONE"
Il hope you are ready for It," said
Mrs. Knapp, with a troubled look upon
her face.
"As ready as l Eve shall be, 1 sup.
pose" I replied. eff the guardian
angel who has pulled me through this
far will hold on to his job, I'll do my
part"
Mrs. Knapp raised a melancholy
smile, but it disappeared at once, and
she seemed to muse in silence, with
no very pleasant thought on her mind,
Twice or thrice I thought she wished
to speak to me, but If so she changed
her mind.
II wonder at you," said Luella soft.
ly, as we stood alone for a moment.
"You have little cause"
What you have done is much. You
have conquered difficulties"
l looked in her calm eyes, and my
soul came to the surface.
81 wish you might be proud Of me-
l said.
IL am proud of such a friend
except" She hesitated.
always an except" l said half
bitterly.
But you have promised to tell
me"
Some day. AS soon as I may
Under her magnetic influence 1 should
have told then had she urged me
And not until I was once more out
side the house did I recall how i'm
possible it was that could ever tell
her.
Here's some one to see you, sir
said Owens, as 1 reached the walk and
joined the guards / had left to wait
for me.
Eyes, sor, you're wanted at Mother
Borton's in a hurry" said another
voice, and a man stepped forward
There's the divil to pay!"
l recognized the one-eyed man who
had done me the service that enabled
me to escape from Livermore.
"Ah, Broderick, what's the matter?'
81 didn't get no orders, sor, so
don't know, but there was the divil's