The Tupelo journal., 1915-03-12

you tell before you make me believe
that Mr.. Ditson is anything but a true,
honorable gentleman said Minna.
stubbornly.
"All right. Wait a day or two and
sect Wanted Harold.
Minna tried to be steadfast in her
faith in young Ditson. but the intelli-
gence she had received made her un-
easy. Perhaps there was some dark
plot against Ditson, she reflected.
Her brother and his chum, she felt
assured, were equal to that. She
| wrote a brief note to Rolfe, addressed
to his hotel in the next town, warm
ing him that enemies were seeking to
get him into trouble.
Rolfe did not get the note for he
was away-with the smugglers, in
truth and verify! II Minna could
have seer him the next evening
shortly after dark at a cave on the
lake that was a headquarters for the
smugglers, she would have s~huddered.
He seemed to be one Of the grizzled
rough looking crew who were await
ing the arrival of a skiff carrying
contraband goods from the Canadian
shore.
Rolfe sat on an upturned key just
within the cave, when he was In
tensely startled. One of the band
came into view, forcing before him
a prisoner.
Il found him spying on US" the
smuggler explained. I'm his pocket l
found a note showing that he has put
the revenue officers on to our den
here"
Settle him!" hoarsely commanded
the leader of the crowd. Here, you"
to the captor and to Rolfe-"take
him over beyond the rocks yonder and
settle him"
Her brother!" breathed Rolfe, as
he recognized Harold Graves.
Harold was the worse for a severe
struggle and did not notice Rolfe, who
with his captor started to obey the or
! ders of the smuggler chief.
This will do" said Rolfe's snug
gler companion, as they got out of
sight of the cave. Join in, mate. and
help finish him. and he drew his
revolver.
Run for your life!" whispered
Rolfe quickly in the ear of the startled
Harold Graves.
In that flashing second the latter
recognized Rolfe. He uttered a cry
of profound amazement, but was quick
to avail himself of the offered op-
%portunity for escape.
He saw Rolfe strike the leveled
weapon from the hand of the snug
gler. He saw the latter grapple with
Rolfe. There were loud cries for
help, and Rolfe, denounced as q
traitor to the band, was borne by
some of it's members back to the cave.
1t was an excited, pitiful story that
Harold told to his sister when he
reached home. Even to his crude
mind the indication was irresistible
that Rolfe could not be one of the
! smugglers in reality, and oppose their
counsels at the forfeit of his life.
HE saved me. that's all | know, and
I'm sorry for him." said the subdued
Harold.
And your work has brought him
to his doom!" sobbed his sister, bit
terly.
Then came news that the revenue
officers whom Harold had led to the
Gen of the smugglers, but had got
separated from, had made an on
,slaught in time to save Rolfe from
the vengeance of the band. All had
been captured.
With a great cry, the next morning
Minna sprang from the porch to greet
a brisk, smiling visitor, Rolfe Ditson.
Soon he explained to her the complete
situation.
Il was employed as a government
agent to get at the inside affairs OF
the smugglers." Rolfe told Minna.
THE action of the revenue officers
has finished my work. | have come
to say good-by, for I must return to
Washington"
"But-you will come back, some
. timer" faltered Minna.
rs that your wish?" asked Rolfe,
quickly.
Her two trembling hands, resting in
his own, made answer, n when
Role Ditson left her, Minna Graves
was his promised wife.
Copyright, 1914, by w. G.. Chapman.)