"And so should I, father," she answered, with spirit; "but Jefferson will soon be here "

"Yes long before he comes The sooner the better, for know what their next move "

, indeed, high time that someone capable of giving advice and help should come aid sturdy old farmer adopted daughter whole history settlement there had never been such case of rank disobedience authority Elders If minor errors were punished so sternly, what the fate arch rebel Ferrier knew that his wealth and position of no avail to him Others known and as rich as himself spirited away before now, and their goods given over Church brave man, but he trembled vague, shadowy terrors which hung over him Any known danger face with firm lip, but this suspense was unnerving He concealed his fears daughter, however, and affected light whole matter, though she, keen eye of love, saw plainly that ill at ease

He expected that receive some message or remonstrance from Young as conduct, and not mistaken, though it came in an unlooked-for manner Upon rising next morning , surprise, small square of paper pinned on coverlet bed just over his chest On printed, in bold straggling letters:--

"Twenty-nine days are given you for amendment, and then ----"

The dash was more fear-inspiring than any threat How this warning came into his room puzzled John Ferrier sorely, servants slept in an outhouse, doors and windows had all been secured He crumpled the paper up and said nothing daughter, but the incident struck chill into his heart The twenty-nine days were evidently the balance month which Young had promised What strength or courage could avail against an enemy armed mysterious powers ? The hand which fastened that pin struck him heart, and never have known who had slain him

Still more shaken was he next morning They had sat down breakfast when Lucy with cry of surprise pointed upwards centre ceiling was scrawled, with burned stick apparently, the number 28 daughter unintelligible, and enlighten her That night he sat up gun and kept watch and ward and he heard nothing, and yet morning great 27 painted outside door

Thus day followed day; and as sure as morning came that his unseen enemies had kept their register, and had marked up in some conspicuous position days were still left to him month of grace Sometimes the fatal numbers appeared walls, sometimes floors, occasionally they were on small placards stuck garden gate or the railings With all his vigilance John Ferrier discover whence these daily warnings proceeded horror almost superstitious came upon him sight He became haggard and restless, eyes had the troubled look of some hunted creature He had but one hope in life now, was arrival young hunter from Nevada

Twenty had changed to fifteen and fifteen to ten, but no news absentee One by one the numbers dwindled down, and still there came no sign of him Whenever horseman clattered down the road, or driver shouted at his team, the old farmer hurried gate thinking that help had arrived at last At last, when five give way to four again to three, heart, and abandoned all hope of escape Single-handed, and limited knowledge mountains which surrounded the settlement, that powerless The more-frequented roads were strictly watched and guarded, and none could pass along them without an order Council Turn , there appeared no avoiding the blow which hung over him Yet the old man never wavered resolution to part with life itself before he consented to what he regarded as his daughter's dishonour

sitting alone one evening pondering deeply over his troubles, and searching vainly for some way That morning had shown the figure 2 wall house, the last allotted time to happen then ? All manner of vague and terrible fancies filled his imagination daughter -- of her after gone ? Was there no escape invisible network drawn all round them He sank his head table and sobbed thought own impotence

What ? silence he heard gentle scratching sound -- low, but very distinct quiet night It came door house Ferrier crept hall and listened intently pause for , and then the low insidious sound was repeated Someone was evidently tapping very gently upon panels door some midnight assassin who had come to carry out the murderous orders secret tribunal ? Or some agent who was marking up last day of grace had arrived John Ferrier felt that instant death better suspense which shook his nerves and chilled his heart Springing forward he drew the bolt and threw the door open

Outside all was calm and quiet The night was fine, stars were twinkling brightly overhead The little front garden lay farmer's eyes bounded fence and gate, but neither there nor road was any human being seen With sigh of relief, Ferrier looked to right and to left, until happening to glance straight down at his own feet astonishment man lying flat upon his face ground, with arms and legs all asprawl

So unnerved was he sight that he leaned up against the wall hand throat to stifle his inclination out His first thought the prostrate figure of some wounded or dying man, but as he watched it it writhe along the ground and hall rapidity and noiselessness of serpent Once house the man sprang feet, closed the door, and revealed astonished farmer the fierce face and resolute expression of Jefferson Hope

"Good God ! " gasped John Ferrier "How you scared me ! Whatever made you come in like that "

" food," the other said, hoarsely " no time for bite or sup for eight-and-forty hours " He flung himself {21} cold meat and bread which were still lying table host's supper, and devoured it voraciously "Does Lucy bear up well ? " he asked, when he had satisfied his hunger

"Yes She know the danger," her father answered

" well The house is watched on every side why I crawled my way up darned sharp, but they're not quite sharp enough to catch Washoe hunter "

John Ferrier felt different man now that he realized that he had devoted ally He seized the young man's leathery hand and wrung it cordially "You're man proud of," " not many come to share our danger troubles "

"You've hit it there, pard," the young hunter answered " respect , but were alone business I'd think twice before I put my head into such hornet's nest It's Lucy that brings me here, and before harm comes on her I guess one less o' the Hope family in Utah "

" we ? "

"To-morrow is your last day, and unless you act to-night lost mule and two horses waiting Eagle Ravine money ? "

"Two thousand dollars in gold, and five in notes "

" do more to add push for Carson City mountains You had best wake Lucy servants sleep house "

While Ferrier was absent, preparing his daughter approaching journey, Jefferson Hope packed all the eatables that find into small parcel, and filled stoneware jar with water, for by experience mountain wells were few and far between He had hardly completed his arrangements farmer returned daughter all dressed and ready for start The greeting lovers was warm, but brief, for minutes were precious, and much