Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 2 August 1895 — Page 7

SHE'S ILL THE WORLD TO HE.

By HALL OAINE,

Author of "The Manxman," "The Deemster, etc.

CHAPTER XI.

"I'vo two mammas, haven't I?" cried Ruby, between her sobs, is Mona warmed her cold limbs anil kissed her

Danny had sat on the settle aiul looked on wiih wondering eves. Ho glanced from Mona's face to Ruby's, and from Ruby's back to Mona's. borne vague and 6tartling idea was struggling its way into his sluggish nnnd.

The child was warm and well in a little while, and, turning to Danny, Moua said, "Is it all settled that you told me of?" "Yes," answered the lad. "Is it to be today?" "Aye. They're to goat high water with the line for cod, and not comeback till it's tune to do it.'' "Has any change been made in their arrangements?" "No, 'copt that, the pier bein swept away, they're to run down the lamp that the harbor master has stuck up on a polo "Is it certain that Christian will not be With them "Aje, full certain. They came nigh to blows over it last night-" "And you will not go, Danny?" "No, no. When I take back the boat, I'll get out of the road." "The harbor master is to be decoyed away to the carol singing and the hunting of the wren?" "Ave, Davy Cain and Tommy Tear are at tnat jon. "And when is it high water tonight?" "About 11, but the Frenchman is meamn to run 111 at 10. I heard Bill say that, houldm 111 his breath." "You're quite sure about Christian?" asked Mona again. "Aw, yes. certain sure." "Then will you come back here tonight at 0 o'clock, Danny'?" "Yes," said the lad, aud ho went out and down toward the shore.

Mona hastened wiih all speed to the house of Kerruish Kinvig. Thero in breathless haste, but in the most logical sequence, she disclosed the whole infamous scheme winch was afoot to wreck a merchantman that was expected to run into port on a smuggling adventure at 10 o'clock that night. This was tho plot as Mona presented it to Mr. Kinvig. The harbormasters musical weakness was to be played upon, and he was to be got out of the way, two ot Kisseck's gang remaining ashore for that purpose. At midday— that was to say, two hours—Kisseckand six men were to set out in the Beu-my-chrco on pretense of line fishing. At 9 that night they were to return Kisseck himself aud three others were to put ashore in the dimrv on the west cojist of the Castle isle, and there lie in wait. Tho other two were to take the lugger round to harbor, u:d in doing so were to run down tho temporary light put up on the ruined end of the pier. False lights were then to be put on the southwest ot the castle, and when tho merchantman came up to discharge her contraband goods she was to run on the rocks and be wrecked

Such was the scheme as Mona expounded it. Kerruish kinvm blustered aud swore, wanted to know what the authorities were good for it private people had to bedevil themselves with these dastardly affairs. It was easv to see. however, that despite his protestations Mr Kerruish, with this beautiful nut to crack and a ternlic row to Iuck up. was his joyful element Awav he scoured to the house ot Ms Pea Balladhoo. dragging Mona alonir with him. Thero the storj was repeated, and various sapient suggestions wore thrown out by Kinvig. Finally and mainly at Mona's own instigation a plan was concocted by which not only the wrecking would be prevented, but the would be wreckers were to be captured. This was the scheme. Tho harbor master was to bo allowed to fall a prey to the device of the plotters. ("I'd have him in Castle Rushen, the stone deaf scoundrel," shouted Kinvig.) Mr. Kinvig was to be the person to go to Castle Rushen He was to set off at once and bring back under tho darkness a. posse of police or soldiers in private clothes. Eight of these were to be secreted in the ruined castle. Mona herself was to go on to the Contrary head, and the instant the light on the pier had been run down she was to light a lamp as a signal to the police in ambush ami as a warning to tho merchantman out at sea. Then the eight police were to pounce down on the wreckers lying in wait under the castle's western walls.

So it was agreed, and on a horse of Mylrea Balladhoo's Kerruish Kinvig started immediately for Castletown, taking the precaution not to pass through the town.

Mona hastened home, and there to uer surprise found Danny. "The young ruasther is to go," he cried. What had happened was this: On taking tho boat back to its moorings the lad had been making his way toward Orry's head, as the remotest and most seeluded quarter, when he passed Christian and a strange gentleman in the streets and overheard fragments of their conversation. The stranger was protesting that ho must see Christian's father. At length, as if driven to despair, the young master said: "Give me until tomorrow morning." "Very good," the stranger answered, "but not an hour longer." They parted. Immediately Bill Kisseck, with Davy Cain and Toinrnj' Tear, came round a street corner and encountered Christian. "I'll join you," Christian said, with an oath. "When do you sail?" "In half an hour," Kisseck answered, professing himself mightily pleased to have Christian's company. Then Christian turned away, and Kisseck grunted to tho men. "It was necessary to get that chap into it, you know. His father is the magistrate, and if anything should go wrong he'll have to hush it up." The others laughed.

Danny saw that there mas not a moment to lose. In half an hour the young master wou-d be aboard the Ben-my-cliree on pretense of going out with th% lines. Danny started away, but Kisseck, having seen him, hailed him and threw down a pair of sea boots for him to pick up and *n.lr« down to the boat. "And stay there till we come," Kisseck said in gotag off. The errantTtook several of Danny's precious minutes but, throwing the boots down the hatchways, he set off for the "brew," taking care to run along the shore this time.

Mona heard his story with horror. She had already set the police on the crew of the lugger. She could not undo what she had dona Kerruish Kinvig must be already far on his way to Castle Rushen, It

was ce.iam that every man wno went out in the boai) must be captured on her return. The only thing lei to do was to pre\ent Christ lan going out with her at all "He shall not go," cried Mona, and she hurried away to the quay. "He shall not go," sho murmured to herself once again, but as she leached tho harbor, whito and breathless, she saw the Ben-mv-chreo sailing out into the bay, and Christian standing on her deck.

CHAPTER XII.

At 0 o'clock the night had closed in. It "was as black us ink. Not -i star had appealed, but a sharp southwest wind was blowing, and the night might lighten later on. In the cottage on the "brew" a bright turf lire was burning, and it filled the kitchen with a ruddv glow Little Ruby was plaj mg on a sheepskin before tho health. Old Mrs. Cregeen sat knitting in an armchair at one, side of the ingle Her grave face, always touching to look at, seemed mote than ever drawn down with lines of pain. Every few minutes sho stopped to listen for footsteps that did not come or to gaze vacantly into tho lire Mona was standing at a table cutting slices of bread and but ter. At some moments hei lips quivered with agitation, but she held the knilo with tho steady grasp of a man's hand. Pale and quiet, with coinage aud resolution on every feature,, this was the woman for a great emergency. And her hour was at hand. Heaven grant that her fortitude may not desert her tonight. She needs it all"

A white face, with eves full of fear, looked at ho dark window. It was Danny Fajlo. Come in, said Mona, but he •would not come, lie must speak with her outside, Sho went out to him. He was trembling with excitement. He told her that keiiuish Kinvig had returned and brought with him the men from Castle Rushen. There were eight of them. They had been across to the old castle and had opened a vault in St. Patrick's chapel, "•here they had found rolls of thread lace, casks of me and spirits and boxes of tea.

This was not important, but Danny had one fact to communicate which made Mona's excitement almost equal to his own. In a single particular the arrangement suggested by herself and agreed upon with M.vlrea, the magistrate, had been altered. Instead ot the whole eight men going over to the castle, four only, with Kinvig as guide, were to be stationed there. The other four were to be placcd on the hillside abo\e Bill Kisseck house to watch it.

This change was an unexpected and almost fatal blow to a scheme which Mona had all day been concocting for the relief of the men on the Ben-mv-chree from tho me.Oies Inch she herself had imprisoned them.

Mona's anxiety was greatest now that her hope seemed least. Rescue the men— Christian being one of them—sho must, God helping her. Like a sorceress whose charm has worked only too fatally, Mona's whole soul was engaged to break her own deadly spell. She conceived a means of escape, but sho could not without help bring her design to bear. Would this lad help her.' Danny? Hie had seen the agony ot his despair wither up the last gleam of sunshine on his poor, helpless face-

Did you say that Mr. Kinvig is to bo with the men in the castle?" "Yes." said Danny. "Is Mr. Mylrea to be with thS others above your uncles house?"

No. llicy wanted him. but he was to old. he was savin, and went off to find Christian and send him to bo a guide to the si rangers. "That is \erv good." said Mona, "and ve can manage it vet. Danny, do you go off to the castli—the tide is down. You can ford it. can you:"If 1 quick. It son the turn." 'Go at once. The men are not there now, are tliev? "N()i the.v came across half an hour ago.

Good. They'll return to the castle lust before it. Go you at tms moment. Ford it, and they 11 see no boat. Hide yourself among the. ruins—in the guardroom—in the long passage—in the cell under the cathedral—in tlie sally port—among the rocks outside —anywhere—and wait until the Castle Rushen men arrive. As soon as they are landed and out of sight, get you down to where they have moored their boat, jump into it and pull away. That will cutoff five of the nine, and keep them prisoners on the Castle Rock until tomorrow morning's ebb tide." "But where am I to go in the boat?" asked Danny.

Mona came closer. "Isn't it true," she whispered, "that Kisseck aud the rest of them go frequently to the creek that they call the Lockjaw?" "How did you know it, Mona?" "Never mind now, Danny. Do vou pull down to the Lockjaw, run ashore there, climb the brow above and wait." "Wait? Why? Until when?" "Danny, from the head of the Lockjaw you can see the light on the end of the pier. I've been there myself and know you can. Keep your eye flx.on that light. "Yes, yes. WTell, well?" "The moment you see the light go down on tho pier—no matter when, no matter what else has happened—do you that instant set Are to tho gorsc about you. Fire it here, there, everywhere, as if it were the night of May day. "Yes. What then?" 'Then creep down to tho shore and Ayait again." "What will happen, Mona?" "This—Kisseck and the men with him will see your light over the Lockjaw and guess that it is a signal of danger. If they have half wit, they'll know that it must bo meant for them. Then they'll jump into their boat and pull down to you." "When they conic, what am I to say?" "Say that the police from Castle Rushen are after them that four are cut off in the castle and four more are on tho Horse hill above Contrary. Tell them to got buck, every man of them, to Kisseck's house as fast as their legs will carry them."

Danny's intelligence might bo sluggish at ordinary moments, but tonight it was suddenly charged with a ready man's swiftness and insight. "But the Castle Rushen men on the Horse hill will see the burnin gorsc," he said. "True—ah, yes, Danny, that's tr— I have it! I have it!" exclaimed the girl. "Therb are two paths from the Lockjaw to Kisseck's house. I walked both of tiiem with Ruby yesterday. One goes above the open shaft ot the old lead miiicy tho other below it. Tell the mon to take tho low road—the low mid bo sure you say the low road—and if the police see your Are I'll send tliem along the high road, and so they will pass with a cliff between them. That's it, thank God! You understand me, Danny? Are you quite sure you understand everything—every little thing#" "Yes, I do," said the lad, with the energy of a man. "Whan they get to Kisseck's cottage, let them smoke, drink, gamble, swear—anything—to make believe they have never Been out tonight. You know what I mean?" "I do," repeated the lad.

Ho was a new oemg. ills rormer selt seemed in that hour to drop from him liko a garment.

Mona looked at him in (ho dim light shot through the window from tho lire, antl for an instant her heart, smote her. What was she doing with this lad? What was he doing for her? Love was her pole star. What was his? Oulv the blank self abandonment of despair. For love ot Christian she was risking all this. But the wild lorce that inspired the heart of this simple lad was love for her who loved another. W 'nose was the nobler part, hers who hoped all or his who hoped nothing? In the darkness sho felt her face llu.-h deep. Oh. what a great, little heart was here—here, in this outcast bov this neglected, downt rodden, despised and rejected, poor, pitiful waif ot humanity! "Danny," sho murmured, with plaintive tenderness, "it is wrong of me to ask you to do this for me—verv, verv wrong."

His eyes were dilated. The face, hitherto unutterably mournful to see, was alive with a strange fire. But ho said nothing. He turned his head toward the lonely sea, whoso low moan camo up through the dark night.

Sho caught both his hands with a passionate grasp. "Danny," sho murmured again, "if there was another name for love that is not"—

Sho stopped, but her eyes were close to his. He turned. "Don't look like that, "he cried in a voice inau wemi uj miu gui heart liko an arrow.

She dropped his hands. She trembled and glowed. "Oh, mv own heart will break!" she said. "To love and not be loved, to bo loved, and not to love"— |"I tliink at whiles I'd like to die in a big sea like that."

Mona started. What had recalled Danny's strange words? Had ho spoken them afresh? No. "Danny," sho murmured onco more in tones of endearment, and again sho grasped his hands. Their eyes met. The longing, yearning look in hers answered to tho wild glare in his. "Don't look at me like that," he repeated, with the same low moan.

Mona felt as if that wTero the last she was ever to see of the lad in this weary world. He loved her with all his great, broken, bleeding heart. Her lips quivered. Then the brave, fearless, stainless girl put her quivering lips to Ins.

To Danny that touch was as Are. With a passionate cry ho flung his arms about her. For an instant her head lay on his breast. "Now go," sho whispered and broke from his embrace.

CHAPTER XIII.

Dannv tore himself away with heart and brain aflame. Were they to meet again? Yes. For one terrible and perilous moment tlicy wore yet to stand face to face. As ho ran down the road toward tho town Danny encountered a gang of men with lanterns, whooping, laughing, singing carols and beating the bushes. It was tho night before Christmas eve, atul they were "hunting tho wren." Tommy Tear and Davy Cain were among them. Danny heard their loud voices aud knew they had trapped the harbor master. Tho first act in tonight tragedy had begun.

Two hours and a halt later Mona passed the same troop of men. Tlicv were now standing in tho market place. Tommy Tear and Daw Cain had along pole from shoulder to shoulder, and from this huge bracket a tiny bird—a wren—was suspended. It was one of their Christmas customs. Their companions came up at 111tervals and plucked a feather from tho wren breast. Tomniv-Bill-bcg was singing a carol. A bov held a lantern to a crumpled paper, from which the unlettered coxcomb pretended to sing.

Mona hurried on. ITer immediate destination was the net factory. Thero sho found the company of nine or ten menShe was taken into the midst of them. "This is the wiung woman," shouted Kerruish Kinvig. "and when some of you fellow police for 50 years and are grown gray iu the service you may do worse than come here and go to school to this girl of two and twenty."

There was some superior and depreciatory laughter, and then Mona was required to repeat what sho knew. When she had done so, she did not wait for official instructions. She quietly and resolutely announced her intention of going on to the cliff head above Contrary with a lantern in hand. When tho light on tho pier was run down by the fishing boat, she would light her lantern and turn it toward the castle as a sign to the men in hiding there. Tho determination and decision of this girl brooked no question. The police agreed to her scheme. And had she not been the root and origin of all their movements and the sole cause that they were thero at all?

But Monr had yet a not her proposal, and to herself this last was tho most vital of all. The four men who wero to watch Bill Kisseck's house must have a guide, or by their lumbering movements tlicy would awaken suspicion, and the birds would be frightened and not snared. Christian had not been found. "IIo's off to Ramsey, no doubt," suggested Kinvig. "I'll be guide to you myself," said Mona. "I'll take you to the head, place you thero, and then go off to my own station." And so it was agreed. It is not usually a man's shrewdness that can match a woman's wit at an emergency like this. And then tho men in this case wero police—a palliating circumstance

Half an hour passed, and Mona was on the cliff head. She had so placed the four mon that they could see her own position or know whether she duly and promptly lit her lantern or not. The night was still very dark. Not a star was shining no moon appeared. Yet, standing where sho stood, with the black hill behind her, sho could at least descry something of the sea in front. The water, lighter than the land, showed faintly below. Mona could trace the line of whito breakers around the Castle isle. If a boat's sail came close to the coast, she could see that also. The darkness of the night miglit aid her. There was light enough for her movements, but too little for the movements of the four strangers behind her.

Mona saw tho boat leave the shore that carried Kinvig and Ills four assistants across tho strait to the castle. In a moment she lost it in tho black shadow. Then slie heard tho grating of its keel on the shingle and the clank of tho little chain that moored it.

Now everything depended on Danny. Had tho lad wit enough to comprehend all her meaning? Even if so was it in human nature to do so much as she expected him to do from no motive but such as sprang from hopeless love? God brighten tho lad's dense intellect for this night at least! Heaven ennoblo our poor, selflsli, uncertain human nature for "one brief hour!

Mona strained her ear for tho splash of an oar. Danny ought to bo stirring now. But no. Mona could hear nothing but tho murmur of the waters on tho pebbles and their distant boom in the bay.

Look I Coming up to the west coast of the castle were tho sails of a fishing boat

silhouetted against the leaden skv. Tt was a lugger. Mona could see both mainmast and nnraen, with mainsail and vawl. It was the IJen-inv-chree. Christian was then ami ho was deadly peril, Sho herself had endangered his liberty and life. I Tho girl was almost beside herself with terror.

But look again! Though no sound of oars could reach her she could now see the clear out line til a boat scudding through tho lighter patch ot water just inside the castle shadow. It, was Dannv. God bless and keei) him on earth and in heaven! How tlie lad reived! Light as the dip of a feather aud swilt as the eagle Hies. Bravely. Dannv. bravely!

The

CIOCK

in tno tower ot trie uiu cnurcn

ill the market place was striking. How tho bell echoed on this lonelv height! Six. seven, eight, nine. Nine clock? Then tho merchantman ought, to be near at hand. Mona strained her eves into tho darkness, she could see nothing. Perhaps the ship would not come. Perhaps heaven ltselt had ordered that, the man she loved should be guiltless ot this crime. Merciful heaven, let it be so, let it bo so!

The fishing boat had disappeared. Yes, her sails were gone. But out at sea. far out, half a league awav—what black thing was there? Oh, it must be a cloud that, was all. No doubt a storm was brewing. What was the funnv sailor saving that liubv laughed at when Danny repeated it? No, no! It was looming larger and larger, and it was nearer than she had thought. It. was—yes, it was a sail. There could be. no doubt of it now. The merchant man was outside, aiul she was less than halt a mile awav.

Bill Kisseck and tho three men who wero to go ashore on the west of the Castle isle must now have landed. Christian was one of them. Within 50 yards live men lay in wctiu iiu capture uncm. nee, tne ren-my-chreo was fetching awav to leoward. Sho Was doubling tho island rock and coming into harbor, llow awkwardly tho man at the tiller was tacking. That was a ruse, lest he was watched. To Mona the suspense of the moment was terrible. Tho very silence was awful, bho felt an impulse to scream.

What about Danny? Had ho reached tho Lockjaw? He must havo rowed like a man possessed, to be then already. Tho Ben-mv-chreo would sweep into harbor at the next tack. Could Dannv get up on to the pier in time to see the lamp on the pier go down?

Mona could see the black outlino of tho Lockjaw headland from where she was stationed. Her heart seemed to stand stillShe turned her eyes first to the pier, then to tho Lockjaw, and then to the cloud of black sail outside that grew larger every instant.

Look again—the fishing boat is coming in. She is almost covering the lamp on the pier she has swept it down. It is gone, anil all is blank, palpable darkness. Mona ctners her eves with her hands.

Is Danny ready? Quick, quick, Dannv. One minute lost and all is lost! No light yet on the Lockjaw.

Bravo! Mona heart leaps to her mouthThere is a light on the Lockjaw head! Thank God and poor dear Danny for ever and ever!

And now. the lamp down, the gorse burning, the merchantman drawing nearer and nearer, what must Mona herself do? She had promised to give tho sign to the men in the ca:»le the instant the light on the pier was run down. Then thev would know that it, was not too soon to pounce down oil Kisseckand his men, with part of their plot—the least dangerous part, but still a punishable part,—carried into effect. But Mona did not light her lantern. She never meant to do it so soon She must first see some reason to believe that Christian and his companions had taken Danny's warning-

She waited one minute, two. three- No sign yet. Meantime tho black cloud of sail in the bav was drawing closer. There were living men aboard of that ship, and they were running on to the rocks. This suspense was agony. Mona felt that she must do something. But what?

If she were to light her lantern now, she might save the merchantman, but then Christian would be pounced upon and taken. If she were not, to light her lantern soon, the ship would be gored to picces on the Castle isie, and perhaps all hands would be lost. What was Mona to do? The tension was terrible.

She strode up and down the hillside— up and down, up and down. Three minutes gone—a fourth minute from the west, coast

going. Not of the castle and the rest not let the i'lantern mil: Yes, the.v wit wives who climbed of Christiai. and Ruby. It was a fierce moment, of conflicting passion.

He-haps Christian, Kisseck

IV tt

landed. Siie must be wrecked. Her tho crew's sake, living men—men them and children "oiw. Mona thought

A'chant! lit v, t.ic: ve ilieii'

Four minrtes at least had gone. Mona had decided to light her lantern, come what would or could. She was in the act of doing so when she heard footsteps on the cliff behind her. The four strangers had seen the light on tho pier go down. They thought it must bo time for them to lie moving. Either Kinvig and tlie other four in the castle had taken their men, or they had missed them. In either case their own time for action had gone.

Mona, in a fever of excitement, affected certain knowledge that Kisseck's men must be captured. She recommended the police to go down to tho shore and wait quietly for their friends. But at that moment they caught sight of Danny's lire on the Lockjaw head. They suspected mischief and declared their intent ion of going off to it.

At tho same moment Mona's quicker eyes, now preternaturally quick, caught sight of a l"at desiring tho west coast of tho Castle rock and sailing fast toward tho Lockjaw. It was Christian's boat. Again Monti felt an inipulso to scream.

And now there came loud shouts from the castle. At the sign of Mona's lantern, Kinvig and his followers had leaped out of their ambush, only to fliul their men gone. Then they had run off to tho creek in which they had left their boat, meaning to give chase—only to find that the boat had disappeared. There had been treachery somewhere. They were imprisoned on the Castle rock, and so they shouted, loud and long, to their comrades on tljo cliff.

Mona thought she would havo laughed yet louder anil longer had sho dared. But tho police were still with her, and tho desire to laugh was quickly swallowed up in fresh fear. She took the strangers to tho high path that led to tho Lockjaw. "Follow this," sho said, "and take no other, as you value your limbs and necks." She told them to be very careful as they passed tho open shaft of tho old lead mine. It would lie three yards on their right. Away they went.

What had happened to tho merchantman? She had seen danger, and was already beating down the bay. She and her crew were safe. Putting down the lantern on tho hillside, Mona ran with all speed to Kisseck's cottage. In. the darkness she al­

most stumbled down tlie Hi tie precipice on to the back of the root. Running round the path, she pushed her way into tho house. Bridget Kisseck was then In breathless liasto Mona told tlie woman that the police were alter kisseck and his friends urged her to get. pipes, tobacco, cards, ale, spirits, and the like on tho table. The men would be hen three minutes. '1 he.v must make pretense that thev had never been out. '1 lien Mona ran back to the angle of the two mountain paths, the high path and the low one.

Bridget, who had not, comprehended Mona instructions, took fright, at her intelligence. put on her shawl and bonnet, and, without waiting for her husband, hurried away to the town.

Cm \PTER XI\

What was happening to Danny at the Lockjaw creek? Throughout 2va hours he had lain in the cold, motionless and silent, among the rocks outside the castli When the tune caiue, he had leaped into tho boat which the police brought with them and pulled away, lie had struned every muscle to reach the Poolvasli, knowing 1 ull well that it ho gained it one minute late it, might be indeed the bay of death. Before ho had crossed that point at which hi two streams meet, midway in the strait he could see the Bon-niy-elirce tacking into the harbor. Then indeed ho sculled with all his strength. IIe ran ashore. He mounted to the cliff head. With the matches in his hand ho peered through the darkness to whero tho lamp still burned on the end of tho pier. Yes, ho was in tune. But what Was the red not that was now rising in lus heart?

It was then, and not till then, that tho thought camo to him, "What am I hero

for?' What for? Who for? Why? It was a moment, of blank bewilderment. Then in an instant, as if by a Hash of lightning, everything became plain. Monti, Christian, Rubv—these three, linked togothor for the first time in tho lad's mind, flashed the truth, tho fact, the secret upon him. Danny had at length stumbled into tho hidden grave. Ho saw it all now. What had lam concealed from other and wiser heads, vainer heads, heads lifted above his lofty pndo, was revealed to his sunplo intelligence and great yearning heart.

Yes, Dannv knew now why ho was thereIt was to save the life of the man who was beloved bv the woman whom ho loved-

Tlie world seemed in that moment to crumble beneath his feet. He dropped ills eyes in deep self abasement., but ho raised tliem again in sell sacrifice and unselfish love. There was no doubt as to what ho should do. No, not even now, with the life ot Christian in the palm ot Ins handSome power above himsell controlled him. "For her sake, he whispered. "Oh, for her sake, for all! he murmiarcd, and at that moment the light on tho pier went down.

He struck his matches and lit tho gorse. It was damp, and at first it would not burn. It dried at last and burst into flameThen the lad crept down to the water's edge and waited.

The water lav black as tho raven outside, but the light of tho burning gorse overhead gilded tho rolling wavelets at his feet.

In five minutes the dingy of the Ben-my-cliree shot into tho creek, and four mon leaped ashore. One was Kisseck, tinother Christian, and tho other two were Paul Cortcon and Luke Killip. All wero violently agitated.

What for is all this, you young devil?" cried Kisseck. What does it all mean? Out with it, quick! What tricks have you been plavm: D—n his fool's face, why doesn't he speak?

And Kisseck struck the lad, and he fell. Danny got up strangely quiet, strangely calm, with great wide eves and a lace that no man could look on without, fear. Kisseck trembled before it, but—from dread alone anil without waiting for a word of explanation—ho raised Ins hand onco more.

Christian int erposed. Danny told his story—how the police wero on tho cliff head as well as the island how they would certainly make for this spot how Mona Crogeen would send them along tho high path, and how they—Kisseck, Christian and the ot hers—wero to take the low apt.li, get back with all liasto to the cottage anil make pretense that they had never been out.

Christian started away. lie had climbed the precipice cliff head In a minute, the others following. When they reached the top, Danny was side by side with his uncle, staring with wild eyes into his face. Kisseck stopped. what, for do you look at me?" ho cried. Then again he lifted his hand and struck tin lad and threw him. When Danny rose to his foot after this sceond blow, he laughed aloud. It was a laugh to freeze the blood. Christian turned back. He took Kisseck by the shoulder. "By ," he said between the gusts of breat h, "touch him again, and I'll pitch you into the sea."

Kisseck was silent and cowed. There was no time to stand quarreling there. "Come on." cried Christian, and he set off to run. Ill speedily outran tho rest, and they lost sight of him.

Tho two paths that lead to the Lockjaw came together within 100 yards at the end. In the darkness, in the confusion, in tho turmoil of soul, Christian missed the lower path and followed tho higher one. He liid not, realize his mistake. Running at his utmost sijeed, however, ho heard footsteps in front of hi in. They were coming toward him. They were the footsteps of the police. Christian was uncertain what to do. For himself he cared little. But ho thought of his father, of Mona, of little Ruby, and then life am1 fame were dear.

The cliff was on tho right of him, as ho supposed, tho sea on the left. Ho reckoned that he must

IKS

near to Kisseck's cottage

now. Perhaps he could reach it before the men came up to it. They were drawing very close. Along the higher path Chri.ytkm run at his utmost speed.

Ah, here is the cottage, nearer than ho had expected. He must havo run faster than ho supposed. In the uncertain light Christian sees what ho takes to be the old quarry. There is no time to go round by the road and in at the front. Ho must leap down tho hack of tho shallow quarry, light on tho thatch, and lie there for a minute until tho men have passed.

Ho runs, ho leaps, but—ho has jumped down the open shaft of the old disused lead mine.

Meantime Kisseck and Danny Fayle, with Cortcen and Killip, found the "low path and followed it,. They heard the strangers pass on tho high path, but they wero themselves running softly on tho thin grass, and a cliff was between the polioo and them. Wrhen they got to tho angle of the roads anil turned down tho footpath in front of the house, they passed Moua. As they entered: "Who was that woman?" said Kisseck. "Mona," answered Danny. "D—n her, I'll lay my soul that craytliur is at tho bottom of it all."

Danny's dilated eyes flashed flro. But he was otherwise outwardly quiet and

calm. "Where that other fellow—Christian?" said kisseck. "Ho us led nu into all this cursed mess. "'Hints a lie.' said Danny, with tlio color gone from his cheeks.

Kisseck walked across to him with up-fc lifted arm. Never flinching, the lad waited the blow. Kisseck dropped his hand. Curling his hp in biting mockery, he said, "What, lor is that sho devil sthrowlin around here?"

One briTiit spor, ot mood came into tho lad face, and a,s he drew in his breath it went, through his teeth. But he was silent still. "She has tho linpermce of sin," sahl Kisseck. "If sho comes here, she 11 suffer for it.

Danny walked to the door and pushed the bolt,. Kisseck laughed bitterly "1 knew it, he said. "1 knew she was in it. But.

.1

II punish her. Out. ot the way^-'

you idiot waist re!! There was a hurried step on the road out tilde.

Dannv put. lus back to tho door. His eves melted, and he cried beseechingly: Y'ou 11 not do ihat. Uncle Bill? "Out ot the road, vou young pauper," cried Kisseck, anil he took hold ot Danny and thrust lnm aside.

You shall not do M, screamed tho lad, running to the hearth and snatching up a poker.

All Danny's unnatural quiet had forsaken linn. There was a knock at tho door and an impatient, footstep to and Iro

Kisseck walked into an inner room and camo back with a pistol lus hand "Mon, don t. you see it plain? That, woman is at the bottom of it, all." he said turning to Cortcen and Killip and pointing as ho spoko to the door. "She brought us hero to t-r*p us, anil now she has come to sec ll we are at, homo. Sho has tho men from Castle Rushen behind her, but sho shall pav for if, with her life. Out of the wav, I sav. Out—ot—the—way!"

Danny was standing again with his back to the door. Ho had the poker in Ills hand. Kisseck put tho pistol on a table and closed with Danny to push him aside. Thero was a terrible struggle. Amid curses from Kisseck and shout,s from Cortcen and Killip tho poker was wrenched from Dannv grasp and thrown on tho floor, 'llie lad himself was dragged away from the door, and the bolt was drawn-

Then in an instant Danny rushed to the table and picked up he pistol. There was a Hash, a, deatening explosion, a shriek,, a heavy fall, and Kisseck rolled on the floor dead.

Danny staggered back to the door, the hot pistol still in his hand, lie was petrified. His great eyes seemed to leap out of his head. lien ho smoke cleared, he saw what, ho had done. His lips moved, but no words camo from him. Tho other meu wero speechless. Thero was a moment of aw I ill silence. Then, once more, thero came a knock at the door against which Danny leaned.

Another knock. No answer. Another —louder. Still no reply. "Bridget," cried a voico from without. It was Mona 's voice. "Bridget, let mo in. What has happened?-'

No one st irred. "Bridget, thev are coming. Tell tlio men to go off to sea."

None spoke or moved. The latch was lifted, but in vain. "Bridget Christian Christian!" (knocking continued). "Kisseck Kisseck Bill Kisseck Bill!"

At last, one ol the men lounil his voice: "Bill is gone i.ii bul, ho said hoarsely

(TO 1110 CONTINUK.il.)

RACE RIOT.

It Ot urn Iti iwi Aliilmnm i\llimi£ Camp-* Two Killed. lit!*M

IN 11A

Ala., .Inly 31. —Hroolc-

side. a mining camp iio miles west of here, was the scene of a blood race riot Tuesday uight. Two deputy shei ills are known to have been killed, and it is said that hull a dozen negroes were shot, lour or five, iat.ally. The town is in a state, ot panic and the telegraph operator, the only source of in formation, is looked in his office, too frightened to go outside to obtain fuller details. At 10 o'clock messages wero received by Sheriff .Morrow and Chief of Police .McDonald for nil tho available oilicers they could send. An hour later a car load of deputies were en route to the scene, of the trouble. Tiie riot came about iu this way:

Tuesday .Mine lloss Culv.-rhoiise, of the Sloss Iron & Steel company, discharged a negro driver named Jim Biggcrs. Biggers remained about the place making threats, lie refused to leave the company's premises and a warrant was sworn out for his arrest for trespassing, and Deputy Sheriff A. T. Wood and Special Deputy Joel Baxter went to arrest Hungers. As they approached Biggers fiVed upon them with a Winchester rifle. A built .1 passed through Wov.ls' head and another through his heart, killing him instantly. Baxter was mortal] wounded, but was able to get back to the camp and give the alarm.

The white miners at onco organized and went U) arrest Hi^irers. Tlit- lat ter meanwhile had called in a number of his negro friends and when the two parties met a pitched battle resulted Over 100 shots were fired, the negroes linally going to the woods. It is said that half a dozen or more negroes were shot down, several of whom were killed outright and the others badly wounded. Whether any of the whites wero wounded or not cannot be learned

The*town of Brookside is in a state of panic, every man in town being armed The shooting was kept up at intervals for two hours or more. Another attack by the negroes is feared, but it is not to occur after the officers arrive. l!igger.s

and his

pa are hiding i„ the woods and vwll be taken, dead or alive. lu-ook-side has been the scene of race troubles before. Both colored and wlnto miners work there, but the fteling has not been very cordial, especially since last summer's strike, when negroes went to work in white miners pjaees. It only required tins murder to fiffl&le the feudal flame. Deputy Woods, who was killed was exsheriff of Talledga county andTaves a wife and children, the former is

Bnd 18 not

exPeoted

to re-

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