Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-12-10

the abductor Of your child ~ said Or. Hutton |
" Have you any suspicion e. 70 his identityE
Not the slightest, said Mr.. Preble 1--WE have
puzzled over the problem for many years, but we
cannot guess who he is"
Think, y said the doctor. Have you no enc.
myH do not mean people with whom you are not
friendy--every stirring man has plenty OF thesa-
but downright enemy Is there no man whom
you know in the East who hated your No one
against whom You were called upon to testify-no
one whom you possibly injuredg
The banker shook his head. He had asKed him
self All these questions repeatedly
have 40 such enemy, doctor" he answered
with sincerity OF voice Snd manner.
ing to her. Have you no rejected suitor who
might be revengeful enough 70 desolste your
NO" said the lady: ~ was married early.
"This Is stfange-very strange ~ muttered the
doctor. You are not conscious OF having an
enemy In the world, and yet you have an enemy-a
hidden foe-a heud In human form--who is working
out against youa fearful hatredl And you have not
the slightest suspicion as TO whom he isf'
f'Not the slightest" " declared the banker.
Mot the sliRhtest" echoed Mrs. Preble. MY
husband had step brother who might have been
capable OF this iniamy-but he Ia deadl
"The handwriting is not familiarr'
"No. II is merely a rude scrawl, as you see"
said the banker; ut suggests nothing-except
Again there was profound silence.
Our child is seventeen years old now" at
leRGth murmnred Mrs. Preblo, her voice trembling.
y She is on the threshold OF womanhood No
doubt, during all these years, she has yearned for
nA wherever she may be, as we have yearned for
/ "Dut where is she ~ asked the physician and
now his voice was broken by HIS deep sympathy
Heaven lea only knows,", answered The IN mpther.
IHPeThaps In San Francieco-perhaps in some rude
hut In the interior with some obscure farmer and
under a name that is not hers i think her alb
ductor would have carried her to some lonely re-
gi6n OF the interior, among the valleys and noun
% SiSout u see o g IN s 11s Ssss
girlish voice without listening eagerly, half fan
cying that IL may prove the voice OF my lost
@oh, plying heavenl" sighed Dr. Hutton, dash
ing flood Of tears from his eyes. "Will this long
agony never be overP
Mrs. Preble, with the frmness of an unfaltering
trust In Gods mercy. THE last message we re-
ceiyed from our enemy seems to point to some
| ITrue," assented DR.. Hutton, locking at the
message In question. ut is unlike the others.
1t Gays that his reward is at hand He means
either that he intends to marry your daughter, or
| that he intends to demand money OF you for
| bringing her back or both"
| we shall soon know" said Mrs Preble, with
| forced calmness, To-day shall have another
message, no doubt. What will 1t bei"
The banker turned restlessly on his sofa, and his
"Rhatever 1t Is, let It come I" he murmured.
=" Anything can be borne better than this awful
AS If his impatient words had precipitated a
crisis, step was heard on the walk at this
"Anoher ST message ss y r. 'bs bscsthed the banker
| servant coon entered, bearing letter, which
he extended 10 Mr. Preble,, saying:
| 1.-THE bearer isin the hall"
With an eager gaze the banker glanced at the
superscription Of the missive.
at Is from him :" Re faltered.
He tore the envelope open.
H. contained slip OF paper, OF well-known
| shape and appearance, upon which was scrawled
wrpg H wsS ,he banel m t1 S 1 aG
the physician.
This line as follows:
| "August ., 1868, at SIR ItCW cdH!"
II A shock of wonder and horror shook the three
-"Wni call n cried Mr. Preble, starting to his feet
and glaring wildly around.
"s coming heref' cried Mrs. Preble, also
arising.
at seems so, !" said Dr. Hutton, his eyes agaIr
reverting TO the message. I" lie will be here at sz
O'Clock, and see 1t is six alreadyl"
Even as he spoke, the clock on the mantel-piecs
| commenced striking the appointed hour, and a
that instant heavy footsteps resOunded in the hall
approaching the library.
at is he ~ cried the doctor, also arising;
| As the last stroke OF the hour resounded, thu
| door leading from the hall again opened.
One long and hOrrihed glance cast the banker
and his wife In that direction, and then she fel
Her senses had left her The above we publish
asa specimen chapter; but the continuation o
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