Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1869-12-17

OtOASo, Civ PAeHSSeA ~ 40
pocket, where he could reach It'll
without waste of time.
81 have come prepared" he whis
pered, feeling his companions arm
tremble within his own. "Do not
fear. I would sooner lose my own
life than that one hair of your head
should be harmed
They stopped in the shadow, just
before the door.
CHOW, Miss Blenchford, you will
have need Of all your courage and
fortitude, he whispered. "Within
this house you will see all that which
will be agony to you, but it will save
the Blenchford name from disgrace.
Follow me-"
Revolver in hand, he burst open
the door, and entered quickly, close
ly followed by Grace.
With cry of fierce anger, the
only occupant of the room sprang
up to meet the intruders; but the
moment the light fell upon their ia
ces he sank back with groan, and
buried his face in his hands.
"Oh, God! Lost Lost!''
Grace Blenchford recognized her
only brother, James and. seeing his
distress, she sprang to his side to
comfort him.
s.Don't touch me. Grace!" he ex-
claimed in horror. "Normandy,
take her away Do not let her come
near me! Why did you bring. her
here? Oh, my sister! Is it posi-
BILE? Great God! I shall go mad |!
cannot endure it! Why did you
ever bring her here p
"To save you" replied Narman-
dy.
He had closed and bolted the
door, but still retained the revolver
in his hand. He moved nearer to
the conscience stricken man.
"James Blenchford calm your
SELF" said he. "We have come, not
to harm but to save you. The
presence of your sister should tell
you that"
Young Blenchford raised his
head with a hopeful look.
"God bless you, John Normandy !!
You know not what have suffered,
but dared not come back. And
now you will keep it back from my
dear father p
"I WILL" said Normandy, solemn
ly. No one shall ever know it save
ourselves. -
"But Grace p said James Blench-
ford.
"She need know no moro" said
Normandy. II brought her here
that the sight of her might give you
courage to return to u.s."
| John, 1 shall tell her ALL" said
flames. Il shall tell her everything,
but not now"
"Spare her the pain, James,"
"No, John. 1t is my duty, but
not now"
.sHe will arrive by the next train,'
said Blenchford with shudder.-
Il was waiting for him.
''And that is due in thirty min
utes," said Normanda, looking at
his watch. "Give me the money,
James, and we will leave this place
before the villain arrives"
Grace saw all, but heard nothing,
for they had withdrawn to the 9th
er side of the room, that she might
not be panied; but great fear was
weighing upon her heart-a drerd
of some approaching calamity
When they came back, she looked
from one to the other for some ex-
PLANTATION, but very little they gave
her. Normandy spoke first.
'sMiss Blenchford, you are puz-
|zled at my words and actions, but
you will pardon me, know, when l
| tell you that it is better for all of us
to say but little about it. Your
brother has been led into an error
that threatened to be most serious.
Fortunately, everything is now ar
ranged quite satisfactorily, thanks
to your presence, and he will return
to the city with us. Watch over
him, and pray for him." he added
solemnly, that he may not stumble
again.
II ask it," said James bowing his
head; and without. another word
they left the house, and were soon
on their way back to the city.
Silently they rode until the limits
of the city were reached. Then
John Normandy gave the reins to
Blenchford, and alighted, bade the
brother and sister adieu-
"But you, John p said James
"What will you do p
"Fear not for me-" replied Nor
mandy, adding in whisper, 81 shall
not betray you whatever happens"
"Then he charged them both new
er to tell what had passel between
that night; and without waiting to
hear their replies, he strobe rapidly
down the street.
"He went directly to the bank,
reaching it just at opening time, and
without a word to any one, went
straight to the vaults-his custom
every morning-and, deposited the
money that James Blenchford had
stolen from them. Then he went
back and met the officer to arrest
him.
He expected it; but he had left
the money in its place. and now he
! was ready for prison. He felt thank
full that be had been allowed so much
time. He had saved James Blench-
ford, and his father, and Grace, and
| what did he care now? He was
alone in the world; he had done his
duty; and he had hope. James
| NJ l.