CHAPTER XVIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 120, 19 September 1885, Page 6

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE MYSTERY OV THE CRUCIFIX. Four-and-twenty hours later. It iB evening again, and Donald Owen is at bis deck in his private office. Enter Jacob Wenzell, in a state of palpable excitement. "Ha! How how? Why are you back here?" "I come with a bit of news, old man. George Bertram is alive and stirring ! He has been—-" "You lie !" gasped Owen, clutching his informant by the arm. "He is dead !" " Well, if he is, he is the most sprightly corpse I ever saw. He is, at this moment, in the saddle, not five miles away. I left him at noon, at Wallack's Ford, and have well-nigh killed two horses in bringing you word." "Fool! Dolt! Idiot! Why didn't you settle him where you found him ?" "Come, now! That's cutting it rather too thick ! How was Ito trouble him, and he with a squad of cavalry in his train ?" For a little time the astounded man was toohighly wrought upon toppeak coherently. At length he asked, huskily : "How was it? Why is he coming this way ? How did he get away from his command ?" " I'll tell you. I got speech of one of the men with him, and he let the cat out of the bag. In one of those sharp engagements on the New River, or the Gauley, between Floyd and Roeecrans, young Bertram was wounded and taken prisonerby the Federals. Somehow he happened to get speech with Rosecrans himself, and told his story, which, you can judge, he made pretty interesting. The result was, that- the Yankee general swore him not to bear arms any more against the Government of the United States, and let him go, giving him back all his property, and allowing him to take a good horse. If that had been all, I might have settled his hash for him on the road ; but the mischief was this : Two days after leaving the Yankee hospital, he fell in with a party of his old command— a squad of Renwick's cavalry—on their way to Wiltsburg j and J they'll come through with him." 11 Will he be here to-night ?" " I aint sure. If he is, it will be late." Donald Owen took two or three turns across the room, to and fro. At length, grasping his henchman by the wrist, he exclaimed : 1 ' Jake ! Colonel Blood worth is at Wiltsburg, with his troop." " He was there.' r " He's our man. Kirk Bloodworth owes me more than money can pay. Take my best chestnut mare, and away with all your might and main. Bring the colonel himself back with you. Don'tsleepontheway. Make the story strong. Tell Trim there's a deserter here— claims to b« English —ran away from Renwick — tell him, S he says he's taken an oath to the Yanks, he lies. Ho ! Kirk'll make quick work of it." " Good !" cried Wenzell, clapping his hands enthusiastically., "If he gets into them hands .he's shot if he looks crooked. I'm off." "One word, Wenzell. Tell Kirk I'll make it a rich thing for him if he gets this fellow off out of my way." "Aye. aye. He won't refuse money I'll bring him." And with this the ready tool was gone. ' - A few minutes later, when Donald had returned to bis ledger, and a file of papers that had been in use with it, Walter Tarbell noiselessly emerged from a little closet near the safe, and slipped out from the room without being observed. As soon as he had gained the ball, he quickened his I steps, and when he stopped it was within the little chamber occupied by old Ben. Christie. "Ah !— Walter I What is it ? He has not arrived ?" "No. Listen." The secretary cast a furtive glance round ; then opened the door softly and looked out ; then returned and related to the old man the scene and dialogue which had just, transpired between the master and Jacob Wenzell. " Heavens !" ejaculated Christie, leap ing to his feet. "I have heard of 'Kirk Bloodworth and his lambs.' Urged on by his own passion, by Donald's lies, aad Donald's gold, there is nothing short of downright treason he would not be capable of. Let me think. Wiltsburg is ten miles away ?" " A trifle over." " But— it makes no odds. I think I can outflank him. Can you saddle me a smart horse and bring him around on to the sward above the house?" " Yes. I'll have him thereinsixminutes." "Right. Do bo. Give me a roadßter, with bottom.?* - * ' , ' "-You shall, have him." , , ( As soon as Tarbell had gone the old man turned to the- wot k of making ready for a ride. He threw off his shoes and put onia pair of top-boots; put off his light sack, and put on a close frook coat, with A light

Jtteter over iti 'tWrfltf took a 1 pairof gaunt6W and a ] oloseifitting 1 oloth cap, /with a straight yieor; then took a lighted dandle n'hia hand, 'extinguished nig Jairip, 'and yent'pu^'frpin'Kia'tbani; T His movements v^ercf quibkand lightsome j he, left his'oaken jstafl WKibdKand forgot his stoop and 'halt/' ins?.' 'On 'tip-toe, he found Rupert's room,; and on entering found the youngm an within', 1 " ! ' " ; j "'Hush tsrord. I have nob a [moment to spared v; Betttram is in danger. He will- not oome to-night, as we have expected—" , , " How know you ? > Have—" VI am going to stop him. He will be [here to-morrow, and all shall be safe. Comfort Doris, and trust in me." " Stop,!— Say, 1 OJ you are—" tl Never mind how, dear boy. If you can stand up under a father's shame, you shall be satisfied." " His shame is not mine. Do your duty, let the blow fall where it will," , " Right. Tell Doris to keep up a good heart. All shall oome out right. She has more friends than she thinks, as have you. Courage I look for him before noon tomorrow. Good- night." (To be Continued.)