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Show THE vagabonds of the race,since nothing was ever heard of the affair after. “During this memorable three weeks of mud, freshets and thieves, our daily progress averaged five and six miles [Written for the Western came upon her she turned /her Weekly. ] THE LAST LAY OF THE MINSTREL. bled. face as he entered,and head away and trem- were quickly with his where she the old doctor and the little pro- | moor, only to be summoned back to © mother’s deathbed. glance at her cousin she | ok * * ile his fessor, who entered with him. At y He crossed the room [Not after Scott. | WEEKLY. WESTERN the gave a sat, death. first startled cry, and grew Then she placed her pale as|{ hand to} The reader knows the rest.. Small need totell how poor Eugene was laid to her forehead, and looked at him steadily only, and our stores had wasted so He stood beneath her window. rest beneath the drooping branches ofa for a moment, while an expression of great willow in the garden. his grave rapidly in the mean time that prudence | The full, round, silvery moon mortal~fear and horror crept over her bid us reduce our rations to mere bread Shone calmly down upon him strewn with flowers by his cousin’s gentle face ana deepened as she gazed. Then hand; how Wilfred,a dangerous mad‘and alittle tea. Upon this we had reWhile he sung his little tune. with a wild cry,so full of dread and man, was placed in an asylum where ~— “Tucille.” solved to subsist during the remainder 7% * *k *K bs * At the sound of his voice she with- terror that it almost made their hearts merciful death soon ended his furious of our journey, or until a brighter prosdrew her hands from his grasp with a stand still that heard it, she gasped: pect opened. But after every storm, "Twas but a simple little song, ravings; how George Elliott and Lucille, cry of fear, and rising to her feet, stood “Oh God! my father’s murderer! Save happy in the old, but new found love you know, there is sunshine; ours was But oh, how sad and sweet! me! Save me!” and threw herself moan- made shuddering with averted face. but a single beam, yet when it came its His soul was in his voice—his heart stronger and sweeter by the “Tjucille,” he said again, rising and con- ing and sobbing into George Elliott’s out: sorrow and suffering from which it had rays never dimmed till the Journey was The mournful rythm beat. fronting her. “Lucille, look at me and streched arms. completed. at last emerged, were married soon, and His song was done—the silvery moon Her cousin, as her words fell upon his what amerry wedding it was after all; tell me what this means.” “After the floods came a season of Shone calmly as before Shrinking from him as he spoke, she ears, stood motionless and silent still, as cold, s2vere enough to buoy our wagons or how the professor was petted and When suddenly another sound put out her hand as if to keep him from if half stunned and unable to comprehigh and dry upon a smooth hard surpraised and lionized to such an extent He heard—then knew no more. face, hend their awful import. Then his face that he could not find it in his heart to her, her eyes still turned from his face; and one morning we were spinning asif she dreaded to look at him, she grew white to the very lips.and hard and leave Clovérmoor, and concluded to set* %* * * * along in an unusually gleeful mood, our stood a moment in silence. Then she rigid as if carved from marble. Suddenly tle down there where ais genius was apsteers all but enveloped in the dazzling ENVOY. the professor, pointing with his long, preciated, and how Miss Hubbard laid eried: mist from their nostrils, and the wagon ’T was not her father with a club, Do not touch bony forefinger, cried: “Do not speak tome! patient siege to his heart and at last won ||. wheels fairly sinying a tune as they Nor her big brother’s shout, me! Leaveme! Leave me!” See there ze him, becoming “Doctaire, eet ees he! in due time Madame chuckled over the frozen turf, when one her It was her little chestnut-bell in scar upon his cheek!” And then sank back fainting Jaqueloit. Small need for all this, and of the drivers gave mea whack on the That lay-ed the minstrel out. And there, sure enough, plainly yet we would not feel satisfied to leave chair. whip-stock, at the shoulder with his visible now upon the deadly pallor of his our story without same moment exclaiming: CHAPTER XVII. face, the doctwr saw a long, dark line— “‘T,ook yonder, boss, do you see that THE END. | Written for the Western Weekly.] “Lucille,” said Miss Hubbard, rushing the scar! I'll wager my old coat there’s smoke? The professor’s words seemed to arouse something wrong over there.’ excitedly into the former’s apartment a A wild “T looked in the direction indicated few days after the scene with her cousin, him from his stupor at last. “Lucille, George Elliott is waiting in the light came into his eyes, a fierce, terrible and saw an almost imperceptible streak demoniacal expression came upon his drawing room. You remember him? of blue smoke rising from a lone wagon stationed at least half a mile from the “Yes,” she answered, blushing,” I re- face, while a fiendish laugh broke from his white lips, and his hand flew at his The discovery of the bodies of eight member him.” road. | Mexican prospectors at the mouth of ‘Stop! I shouted at once, ‘we must will see him, then, will you breast. “You ‘ “Tost! Lost!” he cried, glaring around the abandoned San Salvador mine in the not?” “look into this matter; semebody is in “T_T cannot see him—yet,”’ she an- him like some savage beast at bay. “You northern part of Wyoming, has brought trouble sure.’ The train was soon ata fiends! you have spoiled it all, curse to hght a romantic story rivaling all the swered. ‘Wait.” halt, and I and several of the boys BY Ivan. But you shall pay for it too—oh, tales about seekers for Captain Kidd’s walked over to the camp. “Wait!” exclaimed Miss Hubbard im- you! buried treasure. Miguel Martinez, at “How long do you expect him you shall pay dearly for your sport!” As we neared the place the first living patiently. Then crouching, he fixed his hateful the head of a party of his countrymen Have you no feelthing we saw was a little bay pony. to wait, Lucille? gaze upon Lucille and drew a long, keen was in Cheyenne lastfall for two days. An unskilled master, in staking it had ing?” CHAPTER XVI. He confided toa Mexican gambler there made the loop about its neck too large, Tears sprang to the girl’s eyes as she knife from his breast. “Miss Hubbard, may~I see Lucille?” George Elliott, divining his intention, that they were in search of an abandoned and having thrust its hind foot into the said: The speaker was standing pale, humbut placed the trembling girl behind him, gold mine which he believed to be rich space, it had thrown itself and was ap“He has been patient, I know; ble ana suppliant before the doctor’s sisbut at that instant a light swift tread in the metal and were going to develop it how can I see him before I know—” parently choking todeath. We cut the ter in the drawing room. For two weeks “Before you know what?” asked Miss was heard in the hall, and the doctor Martinez carried a chart traced on parchlittle fellow loose and led him along he had not seen Lucille, nor had she even eried: ment which they said was 200 years old . Hubbard. with us. Upon nearing the wagon we mentioned his name,as Miss Hubbard “My God! Hugene!” and was made by an ancestor of his in “Before I know all that has passed naturally expected some one to make had taken pleasure in informing him in And in another instant Hugene him- the seventeenth century. The chart had since—since that dreadful night.” their appearance, but noone could be answer to his daily inquiries. recently A shudder ran through her, and she self stood panting in the centre of the been lost for years, but had seen, and there was not asign save alone “Tf she wishes it,” replied Miss Hubgroup. : . turned up. Atonce the party was orgaburried her face in her hands. the thin streak of blue smoke that still bard, “I am sure Ican have no objec“Wilfredl” he gasped. ‘You here!” nized. The story that had run through “But he knows that you had forgotten curled above the wagon, to betoken tions.” “You too!” cried the murderer, turning the family for generations was that Mar ‘human presence. An impulsive shud—that you—you have not been yourself,” “Then take me to her, now—at once,’ upon Eugene, with inconceivable fury. tinez the elder was at the head of a ban said Miss Hubbard. der went through the company at every he said eagerly. : “Ah, that is worse than all,” said Lu- “You too!” he cried again. “You fiend! of Spanish gold hunters who were workstep, but nota word was uttered. As “There is no need of that. She will ing a rich mine somewhere in this part cille; “to think I could forget! How can You devil!” we came insight of the fire, our eyes be down presently.” Then springing upon Hugene before a of the country. woma).. The miners quarreled young a I-—I am he wish to see me after that? of figure the fell upon “And her eyes? She can see quite hand could be raised to intervene, he and finally fought and their division reShe was sitting on an ox yoke, her head ashamed.” well?” he asked anxiously. He buried the knife savagely in his breast sulted in the abandonment of the mine, ‘He cannot blame you, child. and shoulders braced against the wagon“Yes, she has quite recovered her though it was very rich. Martinez was wate a see you. You will not refuse? again and again. wheel, her arms folded about a small sight; and, whatismore than all, her They seized him then, and bore him wounded and died on the way home. babe that was drawing at her breast. come.’ memory is slowly coming back again.” Miss Hubbard reached sate her hand, yelling and struggling to the floor with We were then probably within four rods For a moment he looked startled, and A CHART TRACED IN BLOOD. She did not and Lucille, from very force of habit foam upon his lips, while Eugene, his of where she wassitting. his face grew paler yet. With his blood he traced the chart look up noz stir. Until, overcome by took it, and together the two went down head resting upon the old doctor’s knee, “Her memory coming back,” he rewhich was to be a rich legacy to his chilbleeding from a dozen cruel wounds, the dreadful suspense, one of the boys peated, ‘How much does—does she re- to the drawing room. dren. A faithful friend delivered the George Elliott turned from the win- said faintly: : gasped in a half whisper: -member?” he gaid again, more to himdow a» they entered. Lucille raised her “Spare himu—he is my brother—he is document, which soon afterwards was “‘My God! what have we here?’ self than to her. lost and only recently turned up. Mareyes to his, and the color deepened on mad!” tt this she roused and looked up. I soft, noiseless tread, to Ne eo tae > and stood gazing at her a moment».without speaking: Then, sinking to his knees+. beside her, he took her hands in his,and said: é—~<it > ~~; < Brought to Light a> t<- Romance OR + From Wyoming. was somewhat in advance of the rest, _and her eyes naturally fell first upon me. Her countenance was so pallor-strickei, so forsalsen and so terribly sorrowful that for a moment I was completely paralized by the sight and compelled to hold tothe wheel beside me to prevent myself from reeling. She did not open her lips nor move. save to draw her arms more closely about the babe on her lap. T could scarcely convince myself that she really saw me, or indeed that she gaw at all, but was gazing into vacancy from a delirious The trance. stood respectfully away in dumb boys yet silence. I opened my lips twice to speak but the I knew. that not come. words would something terrible had happened, but how to address’the bewildered creature before me, or even to break the more than dreadful silence without insulting its solemnity, I was wholly at a loss. At last, scarcely realizing whatI did, I stepped softly to her side, and kneeling, took her by the hand. A ripple of consciousness crossed her countenance, and with an effort I succeeded in asking if we could do anything to help her. Her lips quivered for a moment and she be- “T do not know that,” said Miss Hub- bard, “She will not talk, but just sits thinking, and once in awhile she asks a question that shows me she is beginning to remember.” “And she never spéaka of me?” he asked. “Never,” answered Miss Hubbard em- phatically. “She asks only of things and persons she knew before her father’s death. At times Ihave almost forgotten all that has occurred since then.” “Rorgotten!” be said. ‘Ohno! she has not forgotten all. She must remember that—that—” “She remembers one thing, at least,” said Miss Hubbard. “She remembers that she is betrothed to George Elliott.” “What?” he cried. “What!” “Yes,” Miss Hubbard replied, her eyes sparkling viciously, “yes, she remembers that, I know.” For a moment he stood looking at her, his face convulsed with passion, and his eyes glowing. “Thisis your work,” he said hoarsely, then left the room. “T do believe,” said Miss Hubbard, looking after him withascared “that that young man is crazy.” face, gan in a faltering whisper: ““They have— have— tak’n — r—my cows—Oh, my—chi—!’ With this half completed sentence her speech faded into an unintelligible muttering; her hand relapsed its grasp, and . I saw by the contortion of her brow that death or a deadly swoon had interposed. [To BE CONTINUED.| <i et When ignorance is truly bliss, Tis folly to be wise; But what shall we say about the man Who fails to advertise? That afternoon Miss Hubbard and Lucille were sitting inthe dimly lighted drawing room together. “Your cousin,’ said Miss Hubbard watching her face intently, “is very anxious to see you.” “My eousin,” she repeated thought fully. “He is here, then?” “Yes,” replied Miss Hubbard, as steps were heard in the hall, “he is coming now.” Aylook.of mingled fear and anxiety her face as she took his outstretched hand, and let him lead her to the window. “T ain glad to see you 86 Well, Lucille,” he said, his voiwee deep ahd tremulous with emotion. Her lips trembled, and she did not speak, but stood silent with downcast eyes beside him. “Trucille,” he said.presently. “I did not intend to speak of what has been— of what might be—I only came to see your face again; but now—I see you, and A cannot wait. Tell me, Lucille, shall I speak? tween ShallI tell you all that lays beus in the past,and try to lead your memory back to—” She shook her head and smiled sadly as she raised her eyes for one short instant to his face. “Why should you—now?” she asked. “Ts it so hopeless, then?” he said. “Would you not care to remember if you could?” “T_T do remember,” she said, turning her face from him. “At last!” he cried, seizing her hands in his. “At last! Oh, sweetheart, be sure of what you say, or—or you will break my heart.” A moment they stood there in silence; then drawing her closer to him he said gently: “You do remember—and you love me yet?” For answer, she laid her shoulder and smiled at mist of tears. Then there was a soa footsteps in the hall, and self from to see her George’s cousin face upon his him througha of voices and releasing her- embrace, she standing silent before her, while just turned pale and behind him tinez, the~descendant, was CHAPTER XVIII, It was asad story that fell from the dying Eugene's lips. Wilfred was his twin brother. His father and mother had beéeme estranged and separated years before, she taking) | Wilfred with her back to het native | country, France, while his father, dying soon after, had given him, Eugene, to his uncle’s care. He had never brother again. school. seen his until he _There he met mother went or abroad to Wilfred, a reck- less, depraved, dissolute young man; and his mother, who was suffering from an incurable disease of the brain which was hereditary in her family, and which she said she feared would some day de- velop in Wilfred. She from had exacted him that a solemn he promise would never leave her while she lived, well knowing, poor woman, that her time was short, and that he would watch and care for Wilfred always, and, if possible, him from his evil ways. And redeem this was the secret of his long absence, as his uncle knew, Eugene having told him all and received his approval for his course. And he pleaded Wilfred’s cause so successfully that cided to have the his uncle brothers had share dealike told of two mines-up north that minerologists have declared were worked by the Spaniards hundreds of years ago. His party was net heard of again till today; when ahtnter named Keller re- ported that his party had_ discovered thei? bodies. All of the Mexicans Lad been shot and were somewhat carved up by knives, showing that the struggle was a hand-to-hand one. There were evidences that the victorious party had lost, three or four men and they had made a hasty departure, carrying their dead and. wounded with them. Whatsurprised the hunters was to tind that the mine had. recently been worked. It is not known. that a pick-axe had touched it since two. men were starved to deuth there in 1877. Many believe here that the Mexicans located their ancient mine and were killed while urging their claim.. NOT THE RIGHT MINE.. There is reason to believe, however, that the San Salvador was not the mine describedon their chart, and that the murderers have taken the map and have gone off to locate the ancient mine. ‘Che fact that the Mexican’s horses and were taken and that their jewelry tools and some money were not removed from their bodies seem, to prove this. Keller says that there was every indication that the. in his affection and his wealth; but good San Salvador mine fortune had only made Wilfred. more reckless and depraved, until at last his lieves that the mine sought for by the, Mexicans is not far from. the other, and. was paying and be-. uncle summoned him to Clovermoor to is known t..the party who were at work.. make a final settlement with him before No one here knows who the murderous. casting him off. Wilfred had refused to were and as the region in which the go, but disappeared suddenly, no one events occurred is almost inaccessible,. knew where. Then came the news of it is not likely that any one will start to the old Squire’s death, which called Eu- .work the old mine and bury the Mexigene from his mother’s side to Clover- cans before spring. OH et ~ ; Wes The Mystery of Clovermooi. |