Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-02-26

"ilnoul speaking, until they were outside
the gate and were walking rapidly down
ihe road that would lead them to the
bridge.
1 have brought this plaid" he OBJ
served presently, showing it to her. 81
was SO afraid you would find it cold If
we should have to watch many hours.
Allie" ''
i could not have stopped at home"
was Alison's quick answer. as this the
orldge where we are to wait, Roger? How
black the canal looks :"
am afraid we, are going to have
ram, he returned, in a vexed voice. ST
10 not mind the moon being absent; the
darkness is in our favor. But what am
to do with you, Allie. If we have a
Wet night! You will catch your death of
cold"
Nonsense" replied Alison stoutly. But
nevertheless she felt an inward twinge of
discomfort. Neither of them had thought
OF the weather. How weird and eerie ey-
| erythlng looked in the obscure light, the
darK towing path and the sluggish canal,
the tall factories, and beyond them the
am woodpiles and sheds stretching away
INTO the distance The very barge that
came floating toward them out of the
darkness seemed to hold dark. grIsly
shapes upon it.
In few minutes Roger was helping
ner 10 scramble on shore. They were now
at the extreme end of the timber yard
ana mad some way to walk.
Long before they had reached their
destination the heavy patter of rain drons
warned them to make haste but in the
uncertain light, and with so rough path.
their speed was greatly retarded.
here we are at last" whispered
Roger; follow ME closely, Allie" And
she obeyed, holding his coat to give her
courage A pitchy blackness was round
them; Rogers cropping only led them still
further into the darkness. Alison ex-
perienced a sense of suffocation until a
ray OF murky light showed her where she
was-at the further entrance of one of
the wood piles, with the office windows
within few yards of them.
Alison breathed more freely when she
recognized her position. The interlaced
planks formed an arched chamber. where
they could move with comfort and be shell
tered from the rain. Roger spread the
plaid near the entrance, and bade his sis
ter make herself as comfortable as cir
cumstances permitted, while he went a
little way to reconnoiter.
Il hope | have not brought you on a
wild goose chase" he said when he re-
turned. Timothy is eating his supper.
We shall have to be careful when he goes
with his rounds. Hush What is that?''
as slight sound was plainly audible
Don't move, l implore you, Allie" And
Roger cautiously raised himself on his
hands and knees and crept a few PAGES
nearer to the entrance, but in a moment
he returned and babe Alison to move
further into the darkness.
1T is Ferguson / heard his voice y
he whispered. Come a little further
Timothy has his lantern, and he might
turn it on us; and now not word if
you can help it. Are you frightened
dear?"
No" returned Alison, a little m
steadily, but at that moment she was cer-
tainly wishing herself and Roger safely
at home. Rogers caution was not in
vain; a sudden flare of light penetrated
the entrance of the wood pile; they could
see-two men but at the moment the lam
tern was lowered and Timothy's face was
turned to his companion.
wet night, MASTER" he said. in n
grumbling voice. "I'll just go on my beat
and then back to the shed again."
"Al right, Timothy" returned the man
ager, briskly. Il must just hunt for the
paper | told you about Possibly NAV
be quarter of an hour in the office
but will call out to you when | am
ready for You to let me out of the ward. +"
"Ay, ay, will let you out, sure enough.
Master Ferguson. if so be as you strike
upon the little window in the she'd" And
the old man moved on slowly.
Don't move, Alie I'll be back in a
moment" whispered Roger in her ear.
And Alison remained where she was
feeling the dampness all around her, an
| unpleasant moisture beginning to trickle
| down her neck. The rain was pouring
in torrents outside; its very violence
piOuHScu SHUT uurdllOu. presently Roger
crept back to her.
1T is just as l said," he began, hur-
riedly. "He is unlocking the safe: he
has duplicate key-I was sure of it.
There is not moment to lose. | dare
not trust Timothy. 1 must 90 for nv
father. Allie, may leave you here? You
are perfectly safe-no one would harm
you. But one of us must watch Fergus
son; which shall it beY'
"You must go, Roger" she exclaimed.
"You will go more quickly, and will know
how to avoid Timothy"
VERY well, keep up your courage, Al
lie, and do not lose sight of the villain"
he returned. II will bring father back
in no time. Wait where you are until
Timothy has passed again.
Alison's reply was inaudible, but her
mute assent testified obedience. That
L.