The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1909-12-17
Mystery
By MRS. ALEXANDER.

May, more L1aQ Twelve mOuLuS lloHa
the opening of this true story. 1t
was market day.
The stables were full of strong,
serviceable nags, worthy of the shire
which bred them, and the busy host
lers had scarce time to attend to the
demand of a stranger, who had been
staying for the last two days at the
inn, that one or other of them should
saddle the horse he lad ridden each
day since he arrived.
Hand it over to me, and I'll sad
die him myself" he said at length.
ST am no fool about horse, and can
generally manage all want with my
own hands," SO saying, he proceeded
to saddle the steed he had selected,
and soon trotted out of the yard.
A stranger was a novelty at Earls-
hall, and several inquiries were ad-
dressed to mime host" who mixed on
pleasant, easy terms with his guests.
''The visitor was from Lunnon' or
from furrin parts" But he knew
horse when he saw one; he had been
over to Denham all day long; the
landlords S opinion was that likely he
came from newspaper, and he
hoped as how he would write up the
Black Horse There was a letter
for him that morning from Denham.
II know the paper and the crest
stamped outside" added the host;
II dare say he's an electioneering
chap"
Unconscious of these comments
Lambert rode on with a grey. set
face, and firmly closed mouth. The
letter he had received that morning
had been brief-ttI will hear what
you have to say, but do not wish
criminal to cross my threshold. You
must meet me by the Deer's Barn in
the Beech Wood, about a mile from
the village. Any one will direct you"
This had no signature and was ad-
dressed to "Mr Smith" Lambert
took it out and read 1t. gnashing his
teeth as he did SO.
t'The insolent, daring villain" he
muttered; "can l do nothing to turn
his flank? If he had gleam of con-
science he would be less daringly un-
scrupulous, but he hasn't enough to
make a coward of him. Glynn is my
best card, but Deering knows his
strength; he has only to lie boldly,
and 1 am at his mercy.
II must keep my brain clear" he
muttered. ''I wish could get quit of
this mad desire to shoot Deering-it
wouldn't dot wouldn't do. I could
never stroll through cool country
lanes with my Elsie again; 1 never
could stroke her bright hair with this
right hand if it had committed mur-
der. That I have never done. No,
Deering. you Internal liar!-only in
fair fight have killed my man"
When he reached the very humble
little hostelry distinguished by the
sign of the "Saracen's Head" the
crest of the Deerings, which stood be-
side the village green of Denham,
Lambert was cool and collected
enough. He dismounted, and desired
that his horse should be given feed
of oats, that the girths should be
loosened, but the saddle was not to
be removed, "for." said he very de-
liberately, "I want to finish sketch
of the Deer's Barn, and get back to
catch the up-train at Earlshall about
6, so 1 may want the horse all in a
hurry"
So saying, he walked quietly
through the great old wrought-iron
gates. and up the stately avenue for
few hundred yards. Then striking
to the left. he quickened his pace.
and plunged into the beautiful woods.
And all these grand woods, this
beautiful sweep of hills, these groups
of dappled deer. that murmuring
brown stream, the solemn. stately
beeches that clustered round the barn
which stood at the verge of the deer
park-all these were sElsie's; an as
he thought, Travers Deering came
out from the shadow of the rough.
picturesque edifce and advanced to
meet him.
The two men came face to face
little IN the rear of the barn, and
stood in silence for a few seconds,
eyeing each other with deadly hatred:
nor was the gaze of the unscrupulous
villain a shade less steady or un-
f1inching than that of the man he in
tended to make his victim.
Pray, why have you taken the
trouble to come down here, when you
might have seen me in town next
oon1Iv
For various reasons. chiefly be-
cause I could not wait
Then you have something i'm
portant, something favorable for
yourself to propose. First, wher. is
Elsie? You know?"
81 do"
"Is she in England?"
mo"
"Will you tell me where she is?"
81 will .urther en-"
"Eery good; let me hear what you
have to say" taking out cigar, and
striking fusee he lit it with elab-
crate cOmposure.
Il succeeded in hiding myself and
my child from you and your deVilish
designs, began Lambert IN voice
that vibrated with tn anger he could
hardly control. However, | couldn't
carry out my plans, and I know one
,~,"-f -2e ~.t = sight forever, SO
.-.....- T.. ..ly lliII to see if We can
come to an agreement. Let US go,
and III never say word against you.
or meddle in any way.
lis that all you have to say for
yourself?" returned Deering. con-
temptuously. Il though you had
something new
so / have! I have found a man
who believes my story. and he is
backer not to Je despised.'
And he is?" asked Deering, with
out taking his cigar from his lips.