The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1908-01-03

I10on0 DhmDeoD q - peom1A oo4 -
lne ~ Dlsteis M ~, reEirsd oo1tboeatGln
- . hr csfnes of ~ INIT, wAsrs. lifting
several astlc5e1 - drens, ~ eotese1 =
RsceaD h IT, rock md Ietting fham IN
again, VA hid from view.
The surDriss Of Henry anA ths pe161e9t
~ entsfin0 and 6n1ing Frances r -
session of the Int, nay ~ easily inae.
lined. Without waiting Tor explanations
Or questions, the v~afm-hearted Gin lev
into the srms Of her brother, and Qvo
= vent to her emotions In tears. But To
peddler seemed struck with very di4sfsat
feelings. His 6rst look was ct the 6rs;
he then drew cpen ! small drawer Of the
table. and looked . little alarmed 1t 6n1-
Ing Il empty.
Are you aloae, Mim Fannyf' b sak-
cd. In . suick voice.
AS you see. Mr.. Birch" said Frances,
turning an expressive glance toward ths
secret Cavern.
-But why and wherefore are ron hersfs
exclaimed her astonished brother; and
how knew you Of this place ut ALI"
Frances entered ut once into . brief do
tail Of what had occurred 1t the house
since their departure. and the motives
which induced her to seek them.
The p-idier. watching his opportunity,
unseen by Henry. slipped behind tho
screen and entered the cavern.
Frances and her brother. who thought
his companion had passed through the
door. continued conversing on the latter's
situation for several minutes, when the
former urged the necessity Of expedition
on his part, In order 10 precede Dun.
woodie. from whose sense of duty they
knew they had no escape. The captain
took on, his pocketbook and wrote 4 few
lines with his pencil: then folding the
paper. he handed IL to his sister.
Frances" he said. '.you have this
night proved yourself to be IN incompar.
able woman. As you love me-, give that
unopened to Dunwoodie. and remember
that two hours may save my life."
II will will; but why delay? Why
not fly. and improve these precious mo
mentsi"
"Yonr sister says well. Captain Whar-
ton." exclaimed Harvey, who had re-en-
tered unseen I'VE must go at once. Here
il food to eat. N we travel"
"B IT who Is to see this fair creature to
safety" cried the captain. II can never
desert my sister In such a place as this"
leave me. leave me r. said Frances
II ran descend as l came up. Do not
Doubt me you know not my courage nor
my strength"
Captain Wharton" said Birch, throw
ing open the door. you can tribe with
your own lives, II you have many to
spare. l nave but one. AID must nurse It.
DO l 90 alone, or mott"
go, 20, dear Henry" said Frances, en-
bracinS him go; remember our father
remember Sarah" She waited not for
his answer. but gently forced him through
the door and closed it with her own hands.
Immediately after the noise of their de-
had ceased, Harper reappeared.
He took the arm of Frances in silence.
and led her from the hut. The way SEEM
ed familiar to him for ascending to the
ledge above them. he led his companion
the table land ~tenderly, pointing |
the little difficulties in their route,
and c%autioning her against injury.
Harper finally turned, and, taking the
hand Of Frances, spoke as follows:
You have this night saved your broth
er, Miss Wharton. II would not be pro-
per for me to explain why there are
limits to my ability to serve him but If
you can de;ain the horse for two hours, he
is assuredly safe. After what you have
done, | can believe you equal to
any duty. God has denied to me children,
young lady but If it had been his blessed
will that my marriage should not have
childless. such a treasure as yourself
would | nave asked from his mercy. But
you are my child; all who dwell in this
broad land are my children, and my care;
and take the blessing of one who hopes
yet to meet you in happier days."
Wondering who this unknown but pow
erful friend Of ner brother could be,
Frances glided across the fields. and using
due precautions in approaching the dwell
ing. regained her residence undiscovered
and in safety.
Ito b. eontinued.l