Year: 1871

listened to the sayings of the people
| with whom he might be surrounded, and
at night every plan of their enemies were
carried as by magic to the ears OF the
ever watchful Karl Hassan.


A condition of affairs like these, may
we'll incite the peaceable portion OF a
community to the most alarming appre.
tensions A mans property-even life
WAS in jeopardy every hour; there
was no assurance against the attack of
these bold and fearless desperadoes
Karl Hassan, their chief, was a shrewd
and experienced manager, under whose
skilful generalship their detection ap-
peared almost impossible. This artful
leader was known to have been in the
midst of crowds who were gathered to-
gether for the purpose of denouncing
him, or of entering into schemes for his
detection and arrest. In the church, in
the street, in places of business, or wher-
ever you might go, this arch fiend Of
blood would come, while those who were
seeking his destruction were ignorant Of
his presence.
In those days of which we speak, it
was not an uncommon occurrence to
find the bodies of men who had been
assassinated, either upon the roads lead
ing out of the city, or upon the streets
in their very midst. Not unfrequently
were persons found dead upon their
own door steps, where they had been
stabbed to the heart as they we're about
to enter their residence-the key taken
by the assassin, The house entered and
robbed


Four weeks have intervened since the
incidents of our first chapter, bringing
us to the day previous to the one on
which Carrie, according to her fathers
arrangement, was to be married to De
Monte.


Carrie had just passed from the sitting
room to the parlor, when, on looking
from the window, she discovered the
same tall stranger advancing toward the
house, who, one month previous had
made the mysterious call Of which we
have before spoken. With quick step
and steady gaze in the direction he wus
going, not once looking to the right or
left, the man came directly to the front
door. Without any hesitancy, he open
ed the door and walked into the parlor.
Carrie arose from the chair upon which
she had seated herself, when he,motion-
ing her to be reseated, turned, closed the
door, passed quick glance around the
apartment, and said:


beware of De Monte! He is wolf
in sleeps clothing. Yield not to his
WISH Gillispie is prisoner in some OF
the caves where the bandits congregate
He was captured the same night on
which he left you, some four weeks ago.
Be not influenced by your father to mar
ry until you hear from me again. / will
certainly come. Believe me, when say
that have the good of you and your
lover at heart in all am doing. Repeat
to no one tho wo-ds which / have spo-
ken to you, nor tell of my presence
here, not even to your mother" He
then turned quickly upon his heel and
walked out OF the house.


Carrie was more perplexed this time
than before. The man was certainly a
stranger to her, and yet he seemed to
understand and know so much of mat
ter which she had supposed to be Sc
cret to all except her own family. He
had asserted that Frank Gillispie was a
prisoner among the bandits. How
should he know? Yet Frank had prom
ised to write Immediately on his return,
but she had not received letter Twas
strange! Perhaps the man had spoken
the truth. Ah! new thought enters
her mind-this strange man must be
Karl Hassan. The thought caused her
to shudder.


Her meditations were so absorbing
that she had not noticed the arrival of
De Monte, and she was not apprised of
his presence at the house until he had
walked through the open doorway into
the parlor and stood before her. She
gazed up into his face but did not speak,
when he remarked:


GA very good day to you, Miss Gull
ford, and The man raised his hat. II
hope to find you in most excellent spir-
its.n -


81 do not know any good reasons for
being unusually elated," was Carries
cool reply.


81 shall have to be pardoned at my
seemingly excessive happiness at this
time. Indeed, I should tie less than hu-
man, were not to rejoice on the eve of
my wedding My dear Miss Guilford,' y
and he attempted to approach her, but
she waved him back with her hand, when
he continued: "You little know with
what satisfaction / look forward to the
morrow, which is to be our marriage
day,'


sWere +, Mr.. De Monte, looking for
ward to the consummation of such an
event, should feel quite different from
what you appear to"


De Monte biz his lip in vexation, and
appeared Disconnected.


our lather naS SO promised, con-
tinued De Monte, exhibiting little an
ger


MY father has always been very in-
dulgent and kind. hardly think he will
now insist in forcing his child to life
of misery"


"You are not very choice in your ex.
pressions."


u speak as the heart dictates" )"


De Monte appeared disposed not to
attempt any further conversation, but
seated himself by window and looked
out upon the street, conclusion which
was most agreeable to Carrie.


This condition of affairs had continued
but few moments, when Dir. Guilford
came into the parlor and inquired:


ssWpll he Mante how uoas afha hat