CHAPTER X.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 116, 22 August 1885, Page 6

CHAPTER X.

DARK PLOTTING. j When Donald Owen had dismissed Georgo j and Doris, on that Monday evening, he re- 1 tired to a small office, where he usually transacted business with his work-people, and there shut himself in and considered. He had a habit of talking with himself— of thinking aloud— and we may follow him as he paced to and fro across the narrow space outside the desk-rail, audibly reflecting. "One thing is sure," he said to himself, with an emphatic nod of the head, " this young Englishman has his wits about him, and has come here with an evil thought of myself. He suspects me. That means, he believts I am capable of doing anything to further my own ends. Egad ! I shall convince him that he is right ; but he must not have opportunity to investigate. Ah ! — Mr Bertram— l read your intent in your eye! You think you will lay the citizens under contribution for information. That is clearly your plan, and it will not answer. But I must give him swing for a day or two. Let me see." He sat down, and bent his head upon his hand. After a time, he arose hurriedly, as though a happy thought had struck him, and smartly pulled the bell-cord that hung over his desk against the wall. The summons was very soon answered by a man still young— perhaps thirty— a pleasant looking person, cleanly and respectably clad, with sandy hair and ruddy complexion, and a pair of bluish-grey eyes that twinkled brightly. He had a winning smile always at command ; his voice was musical ; and he was intelligent. He was Walter Tarbell, Owen's private and confidential secretary. We may say here, in explanation of this man's subserviency—almost servility — that, once upon a time, Donald Owen had found him in Norfolk, in prison, indicted for piracy on the high seas, and had recognised him as son of a * man who had once Bailed with him in the Caribbean sea. His heart softened towards the youth ; he got him set free, and the youth had been with him ever since ; and we can , easily imagine what would be the relations between such a patron and such a subject. "' "Walter, you have seen the young men who came' in the stage-this afternoon ?" .■. ■ ' "Yes, sir:'-? vu- - -n*\ '•■>* <"u,\ t tv < f ' Well, ldok -you r : - ' He is, ! in^my way/ and , I want you tp look out for him for, about eight-and-forty hours. While he is here I

The two were discussing the subjeot when the outer door * was opened and a man entered, olosely muffled in a. long grey 3loak. He glanced around the narrow ipartment; then let the broad cape fall ;rom his head, and stood revealed— Jaoob Wenzell ! " Where ,did you come from ?" ",Never mind that now. Have you reoeived a telegram?" The question had scarcely been asked when several sharp clicks sounded from bhe instrument on Owen's table. He fastened to the spot, set it in readiness to run, and sent back a response signifying that all was ready. Then the ribbons of paper began to unroll, revealing printed] words as it did so, which he read as they made their appearance. The exclamations that fell from his lips 19 the ribbon glided over his fingers were many and various, but all excitedly jubilant. When the final olick signified " done !" Owen read the message aloud : " Richmond, Apri 17, 1861. •• Donald Owen : Virginia is light ; she is free. Vote in convention, 83 to 55. We go to the Confederacy, and must 00 our part. Col. Ken wick has a commission for yourself, whioh [ trust you will acoept. Will send again soon, Letohbr." For a little time after he had finished reading not a word was spoken. Owen was the first to break the silence. " Jake, was thi^the telegram you meant, when you asked me if I had received one ?" " Yes, I have just come from Jack Renwick. He gave me the news. He is ill alive, and up in arms. He has two hundred men already enlisted and organised, and he is to act independently of everybody slse under the sun — that is, everybody axcept the governing powers, of course." "Where is he?" " Just over Crow Gap, in Dixwell. He'll be here tomorrow, if not to-night. If you can spare me, I'll go with him. He offers me a place on his staff." (This was a lie). "He has a roving commission ; I take it," aaid Tarbell. "Yes," answered Wenzell, "direct From the big ones at Montgomery. Ho 1 He'll lead us to plenty of booty— be sure of that." Donald Owen sat down and scratched his bead. It was a habit he had when he thought deeply. By-and-by he started up and looked at Wenzell ; and when he spoke a, stranger might have thought, from look, tone, and manner, chat he was really angry. " Jake Wenzell ! Why don't you speak ? What d'you Btand there with yer tongue locked for ? Out with it. You've got something to say. What is it ?" Jacob smiled benignly as he answered : " 1 was thinking of that young Englishman." " Aye— l knew that. But what was you thinking?" "Just the same that you was— that the young fellow would make a capital recruit for Colonel Jack Renwick," "Ah ! You're a keen one, Jacob. Yes, that was my thought. Will Jack take him ?" " Yes." " And hold him ? What will he do if the fellow should try to make his escape ?" " Never you fear about that. It will be a sore day for him when he deserts from Renwick's force." " All right. And now for the next move on the board. Where is Herter ?" "He aint far away. He came in with me." " Will you and he relieve me of the incubus?" " What's an incubus V " it's a young Englishman stuck in where he isn't wanted." "O, ho ! That's it, is it ? Well, sir, we?ll take care of him. I wish I could lay my hands on him to-night." "x m»\* j~- J " 1 +u« said Tarbell. " The moon is getting to Be quite bright. It won't set till after mid night j and if the weather is clear, he'll be pretty sure to walk out alone I know he is itching to get out alone. He has chafed under my close companionship more than he would like to tell. I think you'd better be on the look-out for him." "That's so. Have you any further orders, Captain ?" 5 ' No. Just get that incubus off my hands —-that's all for now." Shortly after this, Jacob Wenzell pulled the cape of his grey cloak up over his head again, and went out, Walter Tarbell lollowing close behind him. Tarbell had not been mistaken in thinking that the young Englishman would walk out during the evening. Shortly after dark, upon looking out, and finding the silvery crescent, in "its first quarter, bright and clear, with a balmy air almost without motion, George lighted a cigar, and said to Doris that he would walk out and look about. " I think I will walk as far as the post-office, and see if there is any late news from Washington." "I fear the people here are looking in another quarter for news." " You mean the city, or capital, of the new government ?" ' ' Yes. Montgomery, is it not ?" " I believe it is the name of the place. But, darling, you must not think that your Uncle Donald reflects the sentiments of the people of Owensville." " But there ar6 bad men there, my dear husband, and I would have you beware of them. I will not try to turn you from your enjoyment, but I do beseech of you that you will lookto yourself. Do notforgetwhere you are. Leave your dreaming behind you, bo be taken up when you come back, for I know you can be very forgetful at times." She put her arms around his neck, and kissed him and blessed him, and saw him iepart. The clock on the drawing-room mantel was striking the half-hour after eight as Bertram went out from the house. The post-office was only a short distance away, md thither he first bent his steps, As he approached the square in which it was located he hesitated, and for a moment i/hought of turning back, for a considerable 3rowd had gathered there, and there was much excitement " What is it ?" he asked of a girl who was coming from that direction. " It's news from Richmond, sir j and I'm ?oing home to tell papa. He sent me to Snd out." " But the news, my dear girl ! Stop a moment, please. What is it that has come from Richmond ?" " I don't know, sir ; only— It's all right ' rhat's what they all say." And away she sped, The youthful adventurer could not resist bhe desire to know what news had come that iad so excited the people, and he moved on towards the office* As he came nearer he jould distinguish that there were two parties, one of which was loud and vociferous, the other calmly stern and digniled. The first-mentioned party hailed the lews with joyous acclaim, the other rejeiving it with sorrowful regret. BJe drew nearer, and finally, upon the rerge of the crowd,' stopped and, listened. Phe truth "bassoon known to him Virginia vasnp longer in the Union., The Convention it Richmond had, on that very day, passed :he ordinance , of secession. ' f , He waiteb! until lie was sure that his ears iad not deceived him,,, and ( theja, with' a itrange sinking ;of J tfie;.hea.f t, .he r turned ,;tcf •etrace ' His .stepsiL Heuhad J s64reMy, f started vhen a light quick footfall sounded at 'his tide, and a hand was laid upon his arm.

" Mr Bertram 1" • He turned his head, and saw, by the moonlight, a young man whom he had seen about Mr Owen's premises. " What is wanted ?" " I thought it was you, sir," the youth said, breathing hard, as though he had been running. " There's a man over there who's been asking for you. He has just come from Washington, and has a message for you. He says it's important." j "Do you know who he is ?" "No, sir. I never saw him before, He's a stranger in these parts." " It is not- Wenzell ?" The words slipped out almost before thought. " 0 !-~I knew him. No, sir. He is a stranger." Of course, then, he could not be an enemy. George thought of Capt. Darrow. Should it belie or a messenger from him, he would not miss him for the world. " Where is the man ?" "I left him over there, just beyond the great pump. He wanted to get away from the crowd." Nothing could be more honest than was the whole appearance— the tone and bearing -of his youth j and our hero resolved that he would trust him. " Lead on. I will follow." And yet, as he went, there was a strange pulling at his heart strings— a something seeming to hold him back, whispering to him of danger. But he could not be a coward, and ne went on. (To be Continued).