The Raymer enterprise., 1920-04-15

u.s.
'They must hive said much to de-
ceive you." and bent forward to touch
her hand. "See, am very much alive.
Let me tell you-that will be the quick
est way to understand. In the FIRST
place | did not drown when the boat
was smashed. but was rendered help
less and borne away on the water. The
Adventurer rescued me about daylight
the next morning, and was no sooner
on board than was told how the keel
boat had been run down below on the
river during the night and that your
party had all been saved-two white
men and two negress slaves. OF course,
knew you must be one Of them"
"Then-then we were actually to-
gether. on the same boat, all the way
up hereT"
yes: I tried hard to find where you
were concealed on board. but failed.
Kirby guarded you with great care
from all observation. Do you know
whyT
YES" she answered. as though fore
Ing herself to speak. II do know now.
! thought I knew then. but was mis-
taken. supposed 1t might be because
I looked 80 little like a negress, but
now realize It was his own con-
science. He knew l was a white wom-
an; he had become convinced that
was Eloise Beaucaire. Did you know
that. alsor
Il learned the truth on the boat,
from the same source where Kirby OBJ
tanned his information. Elsie Clark
told me-"
Elsie Clark Who Is shei How
did she known
"A free negress. who had been en-
ployed by Amos Shrunk. She was the
other prisoner on the keelboat when
you were captured kept locked below
In the cabin"
"How could she know who I was1"
"She did not. Only she was positive
that you could not be Rene Beaucaire,
because she knew that Rene. In CON-
pany with her mother. had departed
from Shrunk's cabin before those raid
ers came. The two had already started
for Beardstown."
She sat upright, all lnssitude gone
from her body. leaning eagerly toward
me, her eyes 'allght with interest.
"Gone! Rene escaped theml" she
exclaimed. her voice choking. "0h. tell
me that again. Was the girl sureY
"Quite sure. She saw and spoke
with both the women before they left
In wagon. They were on the Under
ground. bound for Canada. and safety"
II am so glad--so glad" she said
simply. "Now am strong enough to
hear the rest. Lieutenant Knox. You
must tell me-"
"There is not so much to tell. that !
am cock-sure about" l began slowly.
Kirby had you securely hidden away
somewhere on the second deck, while
this Clark girl had been locked into a
stateroom above. l possessed such a
growth of beard and was altogether so
disreputable looking as to be mistaken
for roustabout by the boats officers,
who set me at work to earn my pass
age. In this way managed to talk
with Elsie, but failed to locate your
quarters. The only glimpse I gained
Of you was when you were being taken
ashore. Then l followed, and little
later succeeded In getting you out Of
Klrby's hands. That Is about ALL"
"oh. no. 1t is not-you-you came
too late"
TOO late! Perhaps I may know
what you mean."
DO your Surely not to blame me
IL wish to tell you, Lieutenant Knox,
but-but l scarcely know how. II is
all 30 dim. indlstinct In my own mind
and yet l remember. Have I been
drurgedf"
without qNstlon. We have been
riding all night and you were strapped
to your horse. Probably you have no
recollection OF this"
She shook her head in bewilderment.
mo: the last remember was with
Kirby and another man. He-he was
dressed Ike minister. but--but he
was half drunk. and once he swore at
me. The place where we were was a
little shack In the side Of hill, with
stone walls. Kirby took me there
from the steamer, together with man
he called Rale-Jack Rale. They
locked me In and left me alone after
dark. Then this other man. who
dressed like minister. came back
with Kirby. They had food and some
thing to drink with them, and lit
lamp SO that we could see. II was
awfully dismal and dark in there"
She pressed her hands to her head
despairingly. Il can remember all
this. but later II Is not SO clear; II
fades out, like dream"
Try to tell me all you can" urged.
"They fed your
"Yes, I managed to eat a little. but
! wolld not drink. They both became
angry then and frightened me. but
they did compel me to swallow some
Of the stuff. Then I became dazed
and partially helpless. l had no will