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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 19, 1905)
x lliaanMasnray.DaTt . Autkor of "THe KkL Garmal HE man at the ferry had been so civil to me 0' H I shpwing mo the likeliest pools f(,r fish and I I doing me many little services, that when JL I one day he complained of a had headache I could do no less than bid him go Indoors and lie down for an hour or two during which time t would willingly act aa deputy , ferrymin. As such my duties on thnt aft ernoon turned out to bt Hunt enough, and aoarcely Inter fered at all with my Mailing. The river was not a wide one, and the occasional exercise of moving the cumber some chain worked boat across the atrcam made, if any thing:, a -pleasant change from the angler'a monotonous attitude. It waa nearlng the end of the afternoon and I waa momentarily expecting my friend to resume office after his alesta when an unlooked for and moat Interesting passenger appeared. t waa suddenly urou.ii-d from the contemplation of my float by a woman's voice a musical one, I told myself hailing the ferry; and on looking up I saw a young laly on horseback riding down the shelving road that ran to the Water's edge. Hastily securing my rod I Jumped Into the boat and worked it across to receive her. By the time I reached the opposite bank she had dismounted, and, with the bridle thrown over her arm, stood awaiting me. Th glance, which wis till that good manners even In a deputy ferryman allowed, told me that she made there the prettiest picture 1 had ever seen. Standing against a background of crimson sky she looked radiantly beautiful, her handsome yface lighted up with the glow of exercise. As the beat grated on the gravelly bank and I went for ward to hand her on hoard our eyes met, and hci-a wore a quizzical look of Inquiry which I could do no leas than answer. " The ferryman has got a headache, and I have taken his place fur awhile," I explained. Then, conscious of the drive off. 1 lighted a cignr and prepared to go out for and shnt him as he sat. At the side of the table, leaning an evening stroll. As I was turning over some of my forward as bo peeled an apple, whs another of the ruffian: belongings In search of a match box t mme across a tittle a third, was ft be accounted for somewhere, however I revolver I had brought down with me Into the country. 1 could see no sign of him. don't know what prompted me to do It, herhnp It was Hut the question that filled my mind was not of them, the Impression left on my mind by thos rogues' faces; ot of Lilian I'.irdale and perhaps oth r helpless women $3$ 1 t2m4 1 5 O LI- W Sfr7 XL II A v-s. S. fe-a IMP IIP 1 fyi wArf- mm i 't A( , 1 W X ivzri Wy4 s 5-1 mil k It JH A ?l Aft V rim i and left in the lock; I opened the cl.mr and with n thrill of J y found fnysMf In the prewnc of Lilian Cardale. H Was delightful to me to see the change In her face from apprehension to pleasure as she r cognized me. " Ah. then Push brought you my message?" she t x claimod. I told her. " Hut you are not alone?" sh Inquired apprehensively. " You have brought some men with you?" " No." 1 answered. " 1 frireil the delay In 'etching help." " 1 ; n t what are you going to do?" she asked " If they Mini you here there is no knowing wh.it miy happen. They seem such determined and cold blooded ruffians " I laughed. " I am not afraid of them. 1 have my re volver and am ready to fiee them. Put first I must get you into a place of safety. I think It would le best for you to go to your own room and lock yourself In until this unpleasant affair Is at an end, that Is, If you run trust me to safi guard your house." " Ah. hut." she remonstrated. " you must not. I will not let you run Into this danger for us, for strangers." 1 took the cue from her last word. " If only you wi'l net look upon me as n stranger. Miss I'ardule, 1 shall bo amply n warded for any danger I may run." She gave me her hand. " You are a friend, Indeed, and a brave one." Impulsively I raised to my lips the hand that Ity In mine and to my di light she did not resist the action "Now." I said, "please go. The sooner I deal with these fellows the better." 8he gave me a look of mingled X MM V wwmf ' i trLr n r u niw lYi at', absurd side of the situation I looked at her again and with the look we both burst out laughing. ' I see," she said, evidently much amused, then checked herself and turned to get the horse safely em barked. But the unlmal'dld not take kindly to shipment und began to be restive, so that I had to go to my fair pussenger's assistance. - After some little trouble we got him safely on board and 1 set to work at once to r ull the boat over, grudging, however, every foot It moved, incc It shortened the term of our companionship. Half of the short Journey was made In silence, then the girl spoke, thinking, perhaps, that I deserved some recompense for my vicarious exertions. "Is that your rod? You are a fisherman?" I told her "yes," and she proceeded to' inquire what sport I had had, and Just as we were drifting Into a pretty little colloquy an ominous grating declured thnt we had touched ground and the, to me, delicious little Journey was at an end. Not quite, however. I sprang ashore and held the boat fast with one hand, stretching out the other to steady her as she followed, leading her horse. Put now ha grew restive again, with the result that he put one of his hind legs over the gunwale of the boat and so went sideways, kicking and plunging, Into the water. It was not a serious inUhup; we soon got him sufely up the bank, but the unlmal's nerves were upaet and It took in some time to quiet him down. The deluy was bliss to me, for I knew that between one bank and the other I had fallen desperately In love with my charming fure and eveiy moment I remained under the spell of her fascinating presence. In the sound of her bewitching voice, made my capitulation more complete. She was evidently greatly amused at the whole business and was frank enough not to try to disguise it, as we stood chatting there, now quits unrestrainedly, and Incidentally soothing the nerv rus steed.. As to the fare I did not know how much whs charged for a horse, neither did she. We laughed over this. " If you were the real ferryman," she said archly, " I should give you something extra for rescuing Plunger front a watery grave. As It Is, I can only thank you and ay how grateful I am for your help." " I am more than rewarded," was my natural reply. "I fear, though, that It by the substitution of my clumsiness for Johnam's skill In managing the Ism that the accident happened. Still,' I was forced to add, at ,he risk of offending her, " I cannot bring myself to regret his nbsonce, since It bus brought me the pleasure of being of some assistance to you." " I am afraid." she said. " I and IMunger have been troublesome passengors and have sadly Interfered with your fishing " "Please don't thlnK of that." I replied. "I wish my fishing could have many such Interruptions." Evidently the girl considered the talk hud gone fur enough In that direction, ult hough there waa no ign of offense In her lively gray eyes. " Plunger seems quiet now." She stroked und patted him affectionately. " I think I may truist him to curry ins home safely." I made a feeble suggestion that It would be wise not to hurry, but she seemed of opinion that she had lingered long enough and so prepared to mount. I helped her Into the euddle und she rods off, rewarding mo with a fusclnut- i'!' !'. lug smile' hs she nodded fareWcIl, so rounding off a few prettily Bpoken words of thanks. I had just watched her out of sight when the door of the ferry house opened and Johnson came out, evidently much refreshed by his nap. I handed him over the fares I lmd received and cut short his thanks by asking him about my latest passen ger, whom I was naturally able to describe pretty mi nutely. " Ah," he said, " thnt be the young lady from the hull. Squire Cardale's daughter. Yes, she's a pretty young lady, she Is, and as smart as she Is pretty. Sir Henry, the squire, he's a big man hereubouts, but Miss LllUn ahe don't give herself airs, riot she." I staid talking for awhile longer, but falling to get any more particular Information about Mlsa C'urdale I packed up my tackle and strolled off toward my Inn. Squire Cardule's daughter. 1 wondered whether I should see her again. If 1 did, I told myself, I could scarcely presume upon the episode to speak to her, or In deed to expect that she would give me any sign of recog nition. Yet she might; she was frank and genuine as she was lovely: and In the chance that she might greet me If we met lay a delightful speculation. As I walked along, musing thus, my eye'vas caught by a placard pasted on a gatepost. It was a bill announcing a big political meet ing that evening at Iirudbury, a la i re town about nine miles away, and iimo-ig the nuines of those who were to support the principal speakers was that of Sir Henry Cnrdale. It was nothing, yet somehow my eyes lingered on the name, as n ' man's mind will seize und dwell upon anything that speaks to him of the woman he loves. Then I told myself I was a fool; that Miss Cardale could never be anything to mi", nnd the less I thought of her the letter. So I turned uwuy from the poster and walked sturdily on to my Inn, revolving plans for the morrow's sport, which somehow Involved u chance of seeing a certain young lady again. At the inn, a picturesque old posting house, I found, fur so quiet a place, an unusual stir. In the bar, as I passed it, were three men, whose vocations I could not have guessed, but who seemed to me undesirable custom ers. The face of one o them in particular struck me as being one that for knavish Impudence would be hard to beat. As I entered he turned and stared at me offensive ly, then said: "f?ood nfternoon to you. sir!" In a loud, chal lenging tone. I returned his salutation and passed on to my own sitting room, determined to stay there till the objectionable guests had taken their departure. "What Is going on? Who are these men In the bar? They seem strangers," I inquired of the maid who pres ently brought In my dinner. " O. sir," she answered. "It's the meeting nt Brad bury that has brought them." "Bradbury?" I repeated "Why. that Is nine miles off. Why should they come here?" " O, they have got a trap, sir," she explained. They are going to drive over ufter dinner. Master thinks that the tall one he's a police detective from London." The. tall one: that waa the objectionable fellow who had bade me good aftirnoon. Detectives? More likely bullies hlied to keep mli r on one side und throw out dis sentients. In about an hour's tune I heard the undesirable, guests anyhow, I slipped t lie Irttle weapon Into my pocket. " Queer customers, landlord," I observed with a laugh on my way out. Aline host screwed up his flabby face. " Ah, yes, sir. I don't quite make 'em out." " Come down for the meeting at Bradbury, eh?" " Yes," he answered slowly. " Detectives, I reckon; told off to look after bad characters." My opinion of the landlord's sagacity was not strengthened. " l)ld you think they looked like detec tives?" I objected. "More like the bad characters, to my mind." ' "Ah, yes," he agreed, my opinion evidently falling In with a vague one of his own. " Not quite my notion of police officers, nnd that's the truth. Well, whatever they may be, they know how to order ti good dinner and pay for It." I'pon tliis churucti'iisllu summing up of the question I nodded and went out. It was getting dusk. As might have been expected, I Instinctively turned my steps toward the road which led to Orandon hall. I had not gone far when I saw a car riage and pair coining toward me. It gave me a thrill of expectation. Doubtless It contained Sir Henry on his way to the meeting. Wou'd she be with him? There was no time to speculate on the subject; in a few second the carriage readied me und ns It passed me I saw It hnd but one occupant, a good natured and pompous looking old gentleman; evidently the squire. With a feeling hnlf of ' disappointment, hnlf of relief, I strolled on. After nil, I told myself, why should I speculate on the chance of fur ther recognition? AVhat hud I done to deserve It? It was mere presumption on my rart to invite such a thing. Presently I caught Bight of the old hall, just visible through its belt of ancient trees. What was It to me? Nothing; nnd yet everything, as the home of the girl with whom I had fallen desperately In love, whose Image 1 could not drive from my thoughts. After a good look nt the dignified old building I walked on, taking the road which ran outside the park palings. Night fell, with a bright moon, only occasionally obscured by fleeting clouds. I went on till I had made the cnire circuit of the park and come round again to the pi.int whence I had first seen the hall. Several of the windows were lighted up; I wondered whether Lilian Cardale was alone, whether perhaps there was a merry party there, nnd whether the girl was giving an occasional thought to the amateur ferryman of that afternoon. How little we know or guess of what goes on Just beyond our ken! A rustling In the hedge that lined the park paling at tracted my attention, nnd after a few seconds a dog ran out into the road. The animal, a Well conditioned cocker spaniel, trotted up to me in a friendly fashion, I stooped and patted him, wondering whether his owner mifht te the lady of my thoughts. In the bright moonlight 1 cou'd see he wore a collar with an engraved name plate; us I turned It round I discovered attached to it n written label Thereupon It occurred to me that the dog was a new comer and had possibly strayed from the ha!; If so it would be the least I could do to take him hack, a by no means uncongenial errand. So, smoothing out the laliel, 1 struck n match, and to my astenlshment read these words: " Please send police and help to the hall at once. In danger. Lilian Cnrdale." So astounded was I at the message thnt I had to read it again to he sure of Its reality. "Help? Danger?" Why It wns little more than an hour since sir Henry Cardale had passed me, coming from the hull with no shadow of concern on his placid face. What hud happened In the meantime? Well, there was. no time to waste In specu lation; It was my duty to obey the message, the strange ness of Its conveyance declared Its urgency. The police? My landlord had told me that the local village constnbles had all been drafted to Bradbury, where a political row was anticipated. Help? The village was nearly a mile away, and here was I. a man, within a stone's throw of the hall, with, as luck would have It, a revolver in mv pocket. In a few second my determination waa taken to go up to the hall single hnnded. Accordingly 1 scrambled through the hedge, cMmhed the paling, and set oft warily across the pnrk. Happily my presence was obscured by u heavy cloud which Just then drove across the moon. I soon stru"k the drive and hurried along, keeping within the shadow of the trees which fringed It. A few minutes brought me in full sight of the hoitse. I Slackened my pace now and crept stealthily forward to a point where u beam of light from a window on the ground floor Invited my Inspection. For, although 1 hnd d vague suspicion of Its nature, It was necessary for me first of all to find out what the danger was. There wns no. sign of any one outside the house. I Btole round the lawn, then along the shadow of the house till I reached the window which was my ob jective. The light streamed out between u narrow open ing In the curtains, through which the whole room was visible to me. Somehow, by a curious prescience, what I saw was not altogether unexpected. The .room Into which 1 looked was the dining room. Dessert and wine were on the table, and at It, lounging back In his chair, in the evident en joyment of his glass and his cigar, was the man who hod greeted me In sc uncalled-for a fashion In the lr of the Rose and Crown. The swaggering Impudence of the ras cal's face and demeanor waa now accentuated; so of fensive was It that I could have taken aim there and then m N iff! L. i ? I 1 1 1 i in who mk-ht be In the house, terrified almost to death by this oiitra.:e as they would surely be. For the explana tion of the affair seemed now simple enough. These scoundrels hnd evidently come Into the neighborhood with the purpose of robbery, taking advantage of the fact thit most of the men from the house and the police from the district would be drawn away to a distance. What waa 1 lo do? I must net nnd that promptly. To stay staring at tint sybaritic scoundrel, with his odious rotund face and smooth, almost cnnonl'enl. gray hair, could do no good. 1 left the window and crept on round the house. If I could only get Inside! I arrived at the service wing of the building, proceeding with the greatest caution, not knowing whether the third member of the party might hot he on the watch outside. Passing a low window I heard n peculiar noise. I stopped and listened. It was repeated, sounding like n muffled cry for help, but the room whence it proceeded was dark and 1 could make mil nothing. The window was barred; it was Impossible to effect nn entrance there. I went round nn antrie of the buildings and came to a court ynrd with many doors and windows. To my surprise one of the latter was un latched. I easily pushed It up and got In. Striking a match I found myself In what was evidently the house keeper's room. I went to the door nnd opened It. All wns quiet; a dim light burned In the passage, but no sign f.f any one was to be seen or heard. I crept down the passage un tiptoe. Passing n door I heard the same stifled cry for help. The door was locked, but the key was on the outside. I tinned it nnd went in. Something was In the room with me. something gurgling and strugf-llng; 1 could not tell what. I struck a light and the slghl it showed me relieved in a moment my nervous tension. On the floor lay u man in footman's livery, bound and gagged, his face purple with his desperate eforts to release him self. This I was able in a few seconds to accomplish, arid when he had recovered his breath he told me In a splut tering whisper how the two strancers had gained ad mission to the house soon after Sir Henry had left under the pretense of being detectives who had been sent to frustrate a contemplated robbery. "Hut t lie ri st of the household?" 1 asked. "Miss Curdale, where is she?" " Ooodness knows," the man answered. "The fellow look me unawares, dapped a cloth ovr my head, tied me up, and thnt was the Inst I knew." My object wns now to discover t lie whereabouts of Miss Cardale, whom I Imagined was being kept prisoner somewhere In the house. I asked the mini wh'-rt this wns likely to be and he suggested the gunroom, since I's windows were barred, and, moreover, the dog which had brought me the message often lay there. 1 sent him ol to Die village for help, and, following his directions, I went boldly, revolver In hand, to the gunroom, being qol'e ready now to try roncliiHlnfis with the Intruders slion'd they hear me. Tills key likewise had been just turned gratitude and concern and left me at the foot of the grest staircase, I waited a few moments, then went to the dining room door and suddenly threw It open, presenting myself, re. volver In hnnd, before the astonished pair. " Put up your hands!" I cried, " or I shoot." With an oattl the leader sprnng from his chair, with a disgusting expression of rage and discomfiture on his face. " Done, by !" the other man exclaimed, as the cigar fell from his fingers. " Are we?" cried the first, and with the words ne seized a decanti r nnd made a swift movement to hurl It nt me. Before It could leave his hand a shot from my re volver sent It (tying in a shower of glass round the room. The bullet had nluo pierced his hand, as a cry of pain nnd rage told me; his face, too. wns bleeding from the broken gluss which hnd struck It. "Now, will you try another shot," I demanded, "or will you behave yourself?" The man wus Inside himself with pain and fury Ills right hand was disabled, but with the left he was des perately trying to get at a pocket, evidently for a re volver. " Come here, Luke, curse you, you great fool," he cried. " If Luke stirs. I ll send a bullet through him," I wild, and Luke did not stir. I made a side movement und got them both In lino. " Now my fine fellows," 1 said, keeping my revolver leveled. " I'll trouble yon both to clear out of here and walk Into the gunroom. I don't want to waste a second isirtrlilKe. but ns long as you stay here It Is likely to happen.' " I'd like to know how you got fly of this," the wound ed man siud in a tone of genuine curiosity. " You'll hear that ill court," I returned. " Now, are you going " They were fain to accept the inevitable, and took their sail way, under the eye of my revolver, to the gunroom, where I locked them safely in. keeping guard over them till the return of the footman with a posse of able b'Klled villagers, w ho in turn guarded tin in till the police anil' soon after the squire arrived. Meanwhile I had released t he rest of the servants, whom I found In abject terror imprisoned In various parts of the house. Sir Henry was loud in his thunks, and 1 had. Indeed, In en of some service, since tile robbers had made up a great haul of plate and other valuables ready to carry off to t lie trail which the third man hud in waiting oct Kide the park But the temptation to take their ease ut u well found dinner t-ble had proved their undoing. And Lilian? The acquaintance begun ami cemented by such strange chimes soon grew on her part Into a feeling more In mutch with mine, und (Iminh.n bull which I lirsl entered In so melodramatic u fashion In mw my home-by rig lit of marriage. i