Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-04-16

and there By 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
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 madman? No
over his body first. over his dead
body. How often had he smiled at
that phrase. but there was no melo-
drama in It now. Her liberty and
perhaps her honor! His strong fingers
worked convulsively to put them round
the blackguards throat.
"Your head is all right nowT as
she turned to follow the others from
the room.
ut was nothing" He forced a smile
to his lips. I'm as ct as fiddle
now, only I'll never forgive myself
for letting him 90. VIII you tell me
one thing? Did he ever offend you In
any way?"
"a woman would not coll 1t an Of
fense." CLINT Of humor in her eyes.
"Real offcnse. no."
"He proposed to you"
The suppressed rage in his tone
would have amused II 1t hadn't thrill.
ed her strangely. 1T would have
been a proposal II I had not stopped
1t. 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 1t. With his life. If need
be-aye. and gladly.
Fitzgerald found himself alone with
Ferraud again. The secret agent was
confident.
ut all lies in the hollow Of my
hand. Rreitmann made one mistake.
He should have pushed me on the
boat into the dark. He knows that I
know. And there he confuses me.
But l repeat he is not vicious, only
mad"
..Ix-I,oro will u hoo
ut will not be-" And NJ. Ferraud
smiled as he nvened up the burnt
wick o1 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 l 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. Coldheld. u
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 Acknowledgements. gunshots and
all thatT
"He will be desperate man."
ITO steal chest full Of money Ii
one thing; to shoot man Is another.
Besides, the admiral will 90 II he has
to 20 alone, and I can't desert him."
Coldfield chuckled. "Ill get behind
him every time think Of It."
"Kiss me. They are waiting for you.
And be careful"
It 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 II danger arose the chances
were he would be getting In front IN
stead Of behind the admiral. A pans
touched her heart as she saw him
spring into the carriage. =.
The admiral had argued himseif
hoarse about Laura's going. but he had
To give in when she threatened to hire
a carriage on her own account and fo''
low. Thus Coldfield went because ne
was loyal to his friend. Laura because
she would not leave her father, Hide
garde because to remain without know
Ing what wns happening would have
driven her mad, NJ. Ferraud because
Il was trick in the game and Cathewe
and Fitzgerald because they loved has'
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 mao
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. Az they made the noon
stop one thing struck him as peculiar
The driver Of the provision carriage
had little or nothing to do with hi
companions. "That u becauee - Y