Year: 1878

tlreu. we must move cautiously"


Why ?" questioned Matte, rather
surprised at this remark.


Why? Do you want to betray
yourselfY"


Betray myself? Why, what are
you talking about ?"


Just then the moon, which had been
shining on his back, fell full upon his
face, and revealed countenance with
an unusual strange expression, and to
the great astonishment of Matte, the
fact that her companion was asleepl- !
Van Haven had been known to walk in
his sleep and perform great many mar
vellous feats while in that condition;
and Matte Harris herself had happened
to meet him once while enjoying a
somnambulistic ramble. So she wasn't
at all frightened by the circumstances
under which she suddenly found herself
placed, but was somewhat astonished;
and being young lady of a good deal of
mischief and possessed of the usual
amount of curiosity, of course she deter
mined to let her companion continue on
his nocturnal excursion.


What are you talking about ?" re-
peated Matte, her saddened features Civ
ing place to an amused smile.


You know well enough what l am
talking about, Jim. We must secure it
tonight. 1t may be found where we've
hidden it, and that would be the last of
us. That letter was sharp thing of
ours, wasn't it? tremble lest Lacy
may be cleared-though, then suspicion
would seek some other party. So we'd
better find some other quarters as soon
as we can possibly do so without caus-
ing any comment upon it; and, of
course,we will not let the money remain
where it is now"


AT the mention of Lacy's name, and
money!" Mattie's mind, which for
the past week had been invariably
coupling those words together, caught
eagerly at the suspicion thus aroused; {;
and her very frame shook as the light of
a great disclosure suddenly flashed upon
her. She had found one of the guilty
parties, concerned i'm the bank robbery
and could liberate her lover!


The discovery was almost too much
for her. A dim mist suffused her eyes,
She clutched eagerly for the side of the
boat. But she soon recovered from the
first shock, yet did not permit herself to
speak, she trembled so violently.


Van Haven continued:


1--WE must leave tomorrow don't
you think SO ?"


Yes venturned Matte. Now let's
be quiet, for fear we should be heard.''


All right"


They moved slowly and noislessly
across the ripping waters of the lake,
until they reached the opposite shore.
The woods hung darkly over the tran
quill depths, and all was quiet. Van
Haven tied the boat and stepped ashore,
followed silently by Matte. He led the
way TO dense thicket of underbrush,
pausing moment to assure himself
that they were alone. Having satisfied
himself of this point, he took a few
steps forward, and cautiously raised a
large stone. Under it lay caslket. He
picked it up and replaced the stone.


"I'll carry ii" said Matte, with avid
ious eagerness, feeling confident that if
she once got possession of the stolen
money all would be well with her.


every well, " said the somnambulist
and consigned the casket to her keeping
"Now let us go to the boat again, and we
will finish the arrangement of our plans
as we cross over to Orrville."


Matte considered it a matter of pru-
dence to agree, and followed her sleeping
companion to the lake. He took his
seat in the boat and loosening the chain
from the sapling, enjoining his asso-
ciate to maintain perfect silence until
they should be out on the lake. He
seemed to think that all was well, and
showed off from the shore.


Matte stood in the moonlight and
watched the boat and its solitary oars.
man until they both were concealed
within the dark shadow of the noun.
tain, behind which the moon was fast
hiding herself.


I'm safe now !" she said, with joy.
full bound. But what shall / do? I'm
half mile from any house, and have
no means of crossing the lake. There's
a road here somewhere, though, which
leads to the town. I'll walk to the hotel
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