The citizen., 1914-05-29
CHAPTER ull.-continued.

puzzled by her insistance that they have
met before.
CHAPTER Vll.-Continued.
How white her face was in the
starlight, uplifted to mine. One
hand grasped my sleeve.
News! evil news! of my father?"
"Of Raoel D'Auvray; he was your
father?"
Yes! you say was? he is dead?"
l caught the cropping hand in mine,
and held it tightly in the grasp of
my fingers. She made no movement,
but l 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. We stumbled upon this hut
while seeking a camping spot. 1t 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 a 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 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" answered, holding it forth,
"a French decoration"
She grasped it, bending her head
so as to see better and, for a moment,
her slender form shook with an emo
tion she could not restrain. Involun-
tarily rested a hand upon her shoul-
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 red army jacket flung
across 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
told me-" she confessed, her voice
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 knN W 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, or
attempt to stop me! l am going to
my-my father"
| stood aside and let her pass, yet
followed as she entered the door. The
interior was black, except for slight
glow as from dying fire showing
dimly through the inner door. The
r-wx L.. -
floor and she stopped. staring at the
grim shadow.
II will bring the light" said gent
ly, 'if you can permit me to pass"
AS the yellow flame illumined the
small room. her gaze deserted me, to
rest once more upon the motionless
figure lying near the wall, which
Brady had mercifully covered with a
blanket. She stood still, her hands
clasped, her face like marble. Sail
holding the candle in one hand,
bent down. and drew back gently the
edge of the blanket, exposing the
dead mans face and white beard. In
spite Of his violent death the features
we're composed, In no way distorted:
ne appeared like one lying there
asleep. For moment the girl never
stirred, her attitude strained, her
wide-open, fearless eyes on the
peaceful upturned countenance. II
seemed to me she had even ceased