The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1909-11-18

the arsi tlsne | have sssa = from rear
point 81 siew. Lady ispHtaxhsm
aust say that a aeesn Z e~ssn - far
FROM the shaf~aa 10 tae taaEaiaS -
II does from the hanes law "a ths fha
teaa There hs.s To- tInses ~hen
the chsisau seemed - - tisssssa Gsas 81
miles away
when In reality n - Fl gouf vets
fest" she said. with lstght i0ak into
bis eyss Tor soms uhaHeoantahls
reason Geaevra r~@snted that look and
speech
Is tha, really where yoa Hsefz she
asked 80 lnnocenuy that Chase had
dlraculty In controlling bis expression
At that instant something STRUCK
sharply against the stone column above
Chase's head. Al least three persons
saw the little PUT Of smoke In the
hills far to the right Every enc heard
the distant crack Of fliie The bullet
had dropped at chases feet before
the sound OF the report came floating
u their ears. No one spoke as be
stopped and picked up The warm, dead
" missile Turning II over IN bis
angers. he said coelly. although his
cheek had gone white
with Won Blltz's compliments. la
dies and gentlemen. lie Is calling on
me by proxy
Good God. Chase" cried Browne.
they're trying TO murder us. Get
back. every one Inside the doorsF'
I'm sorry to bring my troubles to
your door" said Chase 1t was meant
for me. not for any OF you. The man
who fred that did not Intend 10 Lii
me He was merely giving voice to
his pain and regret at seeing me In
such bad company" He was smiling
calmly and did not take single step
10 follow them to safety
Come In. Chasal Don't stand out
there to be shot at"
"Ill stay here for q few minutes. Mr.
Browne. II you don't mind, Just 70 con
vince you all that the shot VAS not IN
tended to Kill They're not ready 70
XIII me yet I'm sure Lord Depping
ham will understand He has been
shot at often enough since be came To
the island"
lie lighted a cigarette and eoolly
leaned against the column. bis gaze
bent on the spot where the smoke had
been seen The others were grouped
inside the doors where they could sea
without being seen. A certain sense Of
horror possessed all OF the watchers.
For heavens sake. why does be
stand there1s cried the princess at last.
Il can endure It no longer It MAJ De
as be says It Is. but It Is fooihsrdy 10
stand there aud taunt the pride " that
marksman | cant stay here and wait
fer # to come How can
Hes been there for ten minutes
princess" said Browne plenty Of
time for another try"
Before they were aware II her Ga
tention the princess left the shelter
and boldly, walked across the open
space to thesslde Of the man. He start.
I'd and opened bis lips - give vent 70
sharp command
1T is SO easy 70 be hero. Mr. Chase
when one Ia quite sure there Is no real
danger" she said. with distinct irony
10 her tones. one can AFFORD 10 be
melodramstie II he knows his part 80
well as you know yours"
Chase felt bis face burn Il was
direct declaration that he had planned
the whole affair IN advance He licked
the ashes from his cigarette aud then
tossed It away. hesltstlng long before
replying
Nevertheless have the greatest re-
spect for the courage which brings you
TO my side ] dars say you are quite
justified IN your opinion OF me II NIL
must seem very thea trieal 10 you
had not thought Of IL IN that light
shall now retire from the center Of The
stage Il will be perfectly safe for you
10 remain here-just a. II was for me
He was leaving her without another
word or look She repented
Il am sorry for what | said" she
said eagerly. AM" looked up at
the bills with sudden widening Of
her EYES think shah not remain. d"
Chase made light OF the occurrence.
but sought TO Impress upon the others
the fact that It vas prophetic Of more
serious events IN the future. In per
feetly cold blooded manner be told
them That the ISLANDERS might rise
against them at any time.
The people are angry. and they will
become desperate. Their interests are
mine. Of course am perfectly sin
cere Ia saying to YOU. Lady DeppIng-
ham. aud to you. Mr. Browne. that IN
time they will win out against you In
tho courts But they are impatient
They are not the Kind who can walt
and be content II IS impossible for
you 10 carry out the provisions Of the
Will. and they know It. That is why
they resent the delays that are i'm
pending
Deppingham told him OF the scheme
proposed by Saunders, treating 1t as a
vast Joke. Chase showed q momeR,
tary sign OF uneasiness, but covered
II Instantly by laughing with the 9th
ers Strange to say. he had been in
strncted from London to look out for
Just such a coup on the part OF the
helrs--not that the marriage could be
legally established. but that 1t might
create a complication worth avoiding
He could not help looking from Lady
Depplngham TO Bobby Browne, a cal
CulatinR CLEAN IN his gray eyes How