Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-04-12
and there BIZ strong sailor expressions

the scoundrel. the blackleg! And
he had trusted him without reserva.
ton! He wanted to start at once.
Laura finally succeeded In calming
him. and the cold reason Of NJ. Fer
raud convinced him Of the folly Of
haste. Every one Of the party was in 4,
Ferraud's room. and their voices hum
med and murmured. and their arms
waved. Only one Of them did Fer
raud watch keenly-Hildegarde. How
would she act now?
Fitzgerald's head still rang. and now
his mind was being tortured. Laura
In danger from this mailman? No
over his body first, over his dead
body. How often had he smiled at
that phrase. but there was no melO-
drama in 1t now. her liberty and
perhaps her honor. His strong fingers
worked convulsively 10 put them round
the blackguard's threat.
"Your head is all right now" ms
she turned to follow the others from
the room.
ut was nothing" He forced a smile
to his lips. I'm as fit as q fiddle
now. only III never forgive myself
for letting him 60. viii you tell Inc
one thing? Did be ever offend you in
any way%
"a woman would not call 1t an Of
fense," a CLINT Of humor IN her eyes.
~Real ofiense. no."
HE proposed to you1"
The suppressed rage 10 bis tone
would have amused II It hadn't thrill.
ed her strangely. TT would have
been a proposal II had not stopped
II. Good night"
He could not see her eyes very we'll
there was only one candle burning.
Impulsively he snatched at her hand
and kissed II. With his life, II need
be-aye. and gladly.
Fitzgerald found himself alone with
Ferraud again. The secret agent was
confident.
at all lies In the hollow Of my
hand. Breitmann made one mistake.
He should have pushed me Off the
boat into the dark. lie knows that
know. And there he confuses me.
But I repeat he is not vicious, only
mad"
where will it be-"
at will not be-" And N. Ferraud
smiled as he livened up the burnt
wick of his candle.
"Treachery on the part Of the driv.
ers? Oh. don't you see that you can
trust me wholly"
well, it will be like this" And re.
luctantly the secret agent outlined his
plan. Now go to bed and sleep. for
you and | shall need some to draw
upon during the next three or four
days. Hunting for buried treasures
was never a junketing. The admiral
will tell you that At dawn"
Dawn came soon enough. yellow
and airless.
"My dear" said Mrs. Coldfeld. 81
really wish you wouldn't CO."
But Laura and Miss Won Mitter In.
sist on going. can't back out now"
protested Coldfeld. What are you
worried about-brigands. gunshots and
all that?"
''He will be desperate man."
"To steal a chest full Of money IL
one thing; to shoot man is another.
Besides. the admiral will 20 If be- has
to 20 alone. and ! can't desert him"
COld6eld chuckled. I'll get behind
him every time think Of it,
kiss me- They are waiting for you
And be careful"
1t was only little brave comedy
She knew this husband and partner Of
hers. hard headed AT times. but full Of
loyalty and courage. and she was con
fident that If danger arose the chances
were he would be getting In front in
stead of behind the admiral. A pang
touched her heart as she saw him
spring into the carriage.
The admiral had argued himself
hoarse about Laura's going, but he had
to give In when she threatened to hire
a carriage on her own account and fol.
low. Thus Coldfeld went because he
was loyal to his friend. Laura because
she would not leave her father. Hide
garde because to remain without know
ing what was happening would have
driven her mad. NJ. Ferraud because
II was q trick In the game and Cathewe
and Fitzgerald because they loved haz
ard. because they were going with the
women they loved. The admiral alone
went for the motive apparent to all
to lay hands on the scoundrel who had
betrayed his confidence
So the journey into the mountains
began.
Fitzgerald keenly inspected the driv
ers. but found them Of the ordinary
breed, in velveteens. red sashes and
soft felt hats. As they made the noon
stop one thing struck him as peculiar
The driver Of the provision carriage
had little or nothing to do with his
companions. That Is because he is
NINE" explained NJ. Ferraud in a wills.
per They were all capable horsemeD
and on this journey spared their horses
only when absolutely necessary. They
arrived at Cargbese az < I'm the after.