Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-26

not to think that she was cowardly In
deserving relative in trouble. She
telt relieved when the train started
Then she stared in wonder and even
suspicion at the other occupant of the
carriage. There sat person who un-
iii the day previous had been a SER
'ant, sort of major domo in the ser.
ice of her uncle. He lifted his cap
With servile smirk on his face Alma
did not at all like.
"The master Is in trouble" he re-
marked Il have heard of 1t. /, too
may be prescribed and am bound for
another country. If mademoiseIle will
allow, l will do what l can to see her
safely across the border"
Alma murmured her thanks. She
did not like the man. She was sus-
picious Of his ready presence. She
fancied her uncle had said something
about his being untrustworthy. An I'm.
protected young girl, however, she re-
fiected that because of his former en-
ployer Boyard might strive to really
serve her.
There was no etoppage to the train
during the long night. Alma did not
sleep. She felt uncomfortably con-
sClous somehow of the constant glance
Boyard kept upon her. Was 1t pos
sible that he knew of the rich treasure
she carried?
Inst ot dox,EraaIv tto trolr ,,,as Lai4
ed at little town In the mountains,
A body of soldiers ordered all to
alight; Boyar6 was carrying the little
satchel belonging to Alma. Suddenly
he disappeared. He did not return.
Then Alma was persuaded that he had
made away with it, believing its con-
tents valuable. Her passport was
gone. She was ordered to remain in
the country.
What fate for the delicate young
girl. when that evening, distraught.
footsore, affrighted, she neared the
light of lonely hut in the mountains
She dared not remain in the town
where the prejudice against an alien
would pursue her. She feared being
imprisoned, searched. and the Jewels
taken from her, 50 she had wandered
away from human habitations, blindly
hoping some chance might put her
across the bordeF
Once she believed she was pursued,
and in the distance fancied she noted
the lurking Boyard Now, hungry,
athirst, exhausted, she hastened
toward the light. AS she neared it
cry of acute pain came from the hut.
A wild figure Of man dashed by her.
The cry from the hut was repeated.
Alma entered to find a peasant woman
lying on bed in spasm Of pain.
Then she aroused to minister to the
sufferer. 1t was her keen womanly
sympathy that helped her successfully.
The man, who had hastened for neigh.
Dor and found no one at home, came
back frantic. When he learned, how.
ever, of the timely aid Of Alma he
overwhelmed her with his sincere
gratitude.
That night there was dread alarm
at the lonely hut. Half a dozen armed
men appeared outside and demanded
that Alma be handed over to them as
q prisoner When Alma recognized
Boyard SIS their leader she knew that
he was after the diamonds.
She had learned during the evening
that het host was a smuggler Of Iaces
over the border Of France, yet in her
dire extremity Alma felt that she must
trust In him. She told him her story
while the group outside were clamor-
ing vociferously for admission. The
smuggler's eyes frightened.
"Ah," he said. "you wish TO save
your Jewels from that horde7 Then
can help you and show my gratitude
for your kindness to my wife. Tell
me the Paris address of your friends.
The diamonds shall be there within
two days"
And then the speaker whistled for
keenreyed little dog Alma had no
ticed about the place. He secured the
chamois bag about It's neck, scrawled
few lines, and inclosed the screed
inside Of padded coat he fitted to the
dog, and. going to the window, opened
1t. dropped the intelligent animal in
the dewy grass and away IT sped.
Boyard soon learned that he had
been bafled. Three days later the
smuggler managed to get Alma across
the border. There was a great re-
union when Mr.. Dacre arrived to find
the gems safe and sound, for the Snug
glers dog had carried the treasure
safely over the border to trusty friends
Of his master, who had sent 1t on to
Paris.