"If Harry were only here," murmured the girl, as she raised her head and wiped the tears from her pretty eyes. "I know something has happened to him--something terrible." At this moment Aunt Jule, the colored housekeeper, the only other resident of the cottage, aside from Nell Barrel and her brother, entered the room, and her appearance at once put an end to Nell's weeping. "Marse Elliston done gone. What did he want, honey?" "To see Dyke," answered Nell, with a slight twinge at uttering such a monstrous falsehood. "Marse Dyke don't come yet. 'Deed but he's full of business dese times. Marse Dyke a great man, honey." If the old negress noticed traces of tears on the face of her young mistress, she was sharp enough to keep the discovery to herself. In the meantime, Mr. Elliston made his way to the principal hotel in the little city and sought his room. He was a regular boarder, but, like other men of leisure, he was not regular at meals or room. Nevertheless, he paid his board promptly, and that was the desideratum with the landlord. The man's teeth gleamed above his short, gray-streaked beard, as he sat down and meditated on the situation. "So, I can be her friend still. Well, that is something. I don't mean to give up so. Dark clouds are gathering over your life, Nell Darrel, and when the blackest shadow of the storm bends above and howls about you, in that hour you may conclude that even an elderly gentleman like myself will DO." Again the man's teeth gleamed and the black eyes glittered. "I have set my heart on winning that girl. A mock marriage will do as well as anything, and such beauty and freshness will bring money in New York." Harper Elliston remained in his room until a late lour. After the shades of evening fell he left the room and hotel with a small grip in his hand. He turned his steps in the direction of the railway station. Arrived at the depot, he purchased a ticket for St. Louis. Then he sauntered outside and stood leaning against the depot in a shaded spot. It would be five minutes only until the departure of the train. There were troubled thoughts in the brain of Harper Elliston that night. A touch on his hand caused him to start. At thin fold of paper was passed into his palm. Turning quickly, Elliston saw a shadowy form disappear in the gloom. "Confound it, who are you?" growled the tall man, angrily. Then, remembering the paper, he went to a light, and opening it, held it up to his gaze. "HARPER ELLISTON: Go slow in your plot against Nell Darrel. She has a friend who will see that her enemies are punished. Beware! The volcano on which you tread is about to burst." No name was signed to the paper. At this moment the express came thundering in; the conductor's "all aboard" sounded, and, crunching the paper in his hands, Elliston had hardly time to spring on board ere the train went rushing away into the darkness. CHAPTER VI. DYKE DARREL'S DANGER.