The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-08-23
THE FATAL RUBY

Raven watched ner until the slim
figure was hidden by the dip Of the
hill: then he locked the door lit a
lantern, and went into the cup
board in the angle; he came out
presently and went up the rough
stairs. After a time he descended
dressed in the clothes he wore on
Sunday; he stood at the door as is
waiting for some one; and present
ly cart drove up.
"Ah, here you are," said Raven.
Il will not keep you a moment
He brought down n box from up
stairs, placed it in the cart and
said:
That is all; you know what to do
with it,"
Half an hour afterwards Cara re-
turned. She had been to a part OF
the moor from which she could
look lown at that portion of the Hall
which was visible amongst the trees;
and she had stood, lost in thought,
thinking of all she had seen there,
and of Evelyn. Half unconsciously
she felt that she was on the thresh-
old of a new life.
Back again, little one saN Lem
Tel Raven pleasantly. Yes, | am go
ing down to Port Dale" he added,
answering her look of surprise at
his changed clothes. You shall come
down with me. NO no." he said
quickly, as she moved towards the
stairs. "You are well-dressed enough;
besides. | cannot wait; ! have an ap-
pointment. and | am late already
They started. Raven having locked
the door carefully, and walked down
to Port Dale Lemuel Raven talked
more freely than usual; and when
ne was not talking he hummed light
ly 1t was dusk as they descended
the quay, and Raven looked around
him carelessly
There's ketch getting :eady to
sail" he said Il know the captain;
have business with him. Would you
like to go aboard with me?'
Yes" said Cara promptly.
so you shall, little one" he said
with sinister amiability, as he hailed
the boat
They went aboard the ketch. The
small crew appeared to be busy
and the captain hurried across the
deck, and held out his hand, say
ing heartily:
"Ah, here you are, Mr.. Raven! Just
in time"
Unseen by Cara, who was gazing
about her with interest, Lemuel Ra-
ven put his finger on his lip and
walningly at the captain,
who looked embarrassed and said
confusedly:
You'll find a cup of tea in my
cabin. I'll join you and Miss Raven
Raven took Cara down to the
cabin, and they seated themselves
at the table.
Snug, isn't it, Cara mia?" he
said with side glance at her. "Ah, /.
it IS nice to be on board ship
again. Let us have some tea; the .
captain is busy"
Cara poured out the tea; and Lem
lel Raven talked in the vein which .
he had used during their walk;
Cara looking about her at the va
Nous objects in the cabin. Presently .
she felt the vessel move.
Why, they have started, father
she said.
so they have!' he said. Suppose
we go down with them as far as
the bar? We can row back. You
stay here. I'll 90 and speak to the
captain"
He left her, and Cara amused her
self by looking at some of the books
neatly arranged on one of the lock-
ers. After awhile she became con
scious of the stuffiness of the cabin,
and thought she would go on deck,
but to her amazement, she found
hat she could not open the door:
i was locked. At first she thought
It was caught in some way by some
peculiar to the door Of
4 ship; but, after awhile the heat
grew intolerable. and she raped on
he door sharply. She knocked sever
al times, and at last it was opened
ly Lemuel Raven.
She followed him up. looked round
Ter, and uttered an exclamation of
With all sails set, the ketCh