The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-03-30


"Of Raoel D'Auvray; he was your
father?"
Yes! you say was? he is dead?"
I caught the cropping hand in mine,
md held it tightly in the grasp Of
my fingers. She made no movement,
but I could distinguish her quick
breathing. see her dark eyes
Yes; you must listen quietly while
I tell you all l know. We reached
here at dusk. There was a band of
Indian raiders camped yonder near
the foot Of the lake, and so we
crossed over TO this island to avoid
them. sNe stumbled upon this hut
while seeking a camping spot It was
dark, and apparently deserted. The
front door was latched, but unlocked,
and We ventured inside, feeling our
way through the gloom, until We came
to door leading into the rear room.
You know the arrangement"
She did not respond, or remove her
eyes from my face.
when we opened this huge mas
tiff leaped savagely at US. In the
darkness he fastened his jaws on
Brady's arm-the scout with me-and
had to be killed by a knife thrust.
Then we procured light with which
to search, and found the body Of a
man lying on the floor"
"Dead?"
"Murdered his head crushed in
from behind with an ak. He was an
old man, with snow-white beard"
How did you know he was Raoel
D'Auvray?"
by this medal pinned to his
breast" I answered, holding it forth,
"a French decoration"
She grasped it, bending her head
so as to see better, and, for q moment,
her slender form shook with an emo
ton she could not restrain. Involun-
tarily | rested hand upon her shout
der, but the touch aroused her, and
she stepped back, standing erect.
THE medal was his; he always
wore it. But was that all? Was moth.
ing else found?"
There was a red army jacket flung
! across a box; but while we were eat
ing later in the other room, someone
stole in through the back door, and
carried that away"
She raised her hands to her head
with a gesture of despair.
IL believe part of what you have
trembling. TIT is in my heart to
believe all, but-but l cannot You
are not telling me the truth-not all
the truth. You knew of this house;
| you-you came here deliberately, and
and brought your men with you"
Il deny that, mademoiselle. We
stumbled upon the place by accident
''Oh, you drive me crazy with your
! denials!" she exclaimed passionately
Il will not listen longer. You are
| Joseph Hayward; you admit that
| yourself. No! do not talk to me, OF
attempt to stop me! l am going te
/ my-my father"
l stood aside and let her pass, YET
! followed as she entered the door The
interior was black, except for a sligh1
glow as from a dying fire showing
dimly through the inner door. The
dead dog lay in the middle Of the
/ moor ana Sne SlOppSu, staring at tut
grim shadow.
4 will bring the light" I said gent
ly, "if you can permit me to pass"
AS the yellow fame illumined the
small room, her gaze deserted me, tt
rest once more upon the motionles
| figure lying near the wall, which
Brady had mercifully covered with ;
blanket She stood still, her hand
clasped, her face like marble. Still
holding the candle in one hand,
bent down, and drew back gently tn
edge of the blanket, exposing TIL
dead mans face and white beard. II
spite of his violent death the feature
were composed, in no way distorted
he appeared like one lying Their
asleep. For a moment the girl neve
stirred, her attitude strained, he
wide-open, fearless eyes on tn
peaceful upturned countenance.
seemed to me she had even cease
to breathe Then she sank sIoWl