The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-03-30

Il swear it, jerry My hand is as honest
as your own
Suppose thin, jist to save me- said Jer-
ry, rapidly loosing cord that bound
Bernard Hilton's arms to his side, eye tie
me and gag me and take the keys. Ye can
do it loose like so can breathe"
Ten minutes later, in the early gray dawn,
Bernard Hilton, free man again, was rap
idly walking toward B.. Yet with his
mind fully reused to the danger of his DO.
sition if recaptured, he struck from the
broad highway into narrow lane, and
stopped before a tiny cottage. Only two
people dwelt there, the pastor of Hope, Mr..
Selwyn, and his grandchild Rachel.
Bernard Hilton, leaning against the gate
post aud looking up at the cottage, win
dows, thought he was bidding a silent, life
long farewell to the only woman he had
ever loved, pretty Ray Relwyn. His whole
frame shook with emotion as he bowed his
head moment, hiding his pale face con-
vulsed with grief
There was q sound of softly-opened
door, swift rush of feet upon the graveled
walk, and upon the bowed head fell a little
trembling hand.
Bernard Ray Selwyn said, and Der
nard looked up to see face as pale, eyes as
heavy and sleepless as his own.
slow did you escape?" Ray painted,
frightened to see him.
'They will tell you today" he said ca.
gerly.
II am on my way to b, but could not
pass the lane. did not hope to see you,
Ray, and yet your coming out TO me fills me
with proud hope. You DO not believe me a
midnight robber, Ray"
The girl lifted her head proudly She
was tiny little creature, fair as lily, and
griefstricken, but her face flushed, and her
voice was clear, as she said
81 believe it, Bernard? You must know
me better than to think donbt you!'
Heaven bless you, Ray. can 60 brave
ly now
"Where!' She asked, pale and trembling
again.
Il mus. ship as sailor at B. l have
no money, or would 60 on the Aridane.
She sails for the Cape Of Good Hope this
morning"
"Wait."
She was gone, returning in a moment
with her hands clasping small casket.
Heaven smiles upon US, Bernard she
said Only yesterday Uncle Ralph sen,
me two hundred dollars for birthday gift,
and you must take this.''
She opened the .casket as she spoke, and
took GU, an old fashioned locket set with
diamonds.
1T is mine," she said hurriedly; IA leg
acy from my mothers mother, and the dia-
1aonds are very pure and valuable"
add what know well-that it is your
sole fortune, and highly pr;zed,' said Ber-
nard. Il cannot take your money or lock
ct, Ray"
You must! Think, if you are taken, what
l shall suffer Bernard. Pity me if not
yourself"
IL cannot rob Yea"
You will rob me far more if you refuse
me- See, it is sunrise. The ship..will 60
Oh, Bernard! if you love me, take these,
and 60"
A moment longer he hesitated; then
catching Ray in his arms, he pressed his
lips to hers, seized the locket and roll OF
notes, apd turning from her, strobe rapidly
back to the highway again. And Ray whit,
as death, staggered back to her room and
sank trembling upon her knees. to pray TO,
the safety of her lover.
The morning was still young and he
good pastor was lingering over late break
fast. when julius Mervin, with furious
eyes and rigid, white face, burst into the
dining room. Without other word OF greet
ing. he cried:
Kay have you seen that william, Eer-
nard Hilton, this morning."
Gently, gently, julius" said the old
man. ~ on seem excited
Il ,,,f- 1.
the ungra;etul hound who has robbed my
father OF six thousand dollars, has escaped.
We found his keeper bound and gagged
and the roober gone! Hell has been here
am sure OF ii!''
Still Ray was silent, her facepale, but
her eyes full OF steady, brave light.
"Ray. my child" her grandfather said.
'rell your cousin he is mistaken
Ishould speak falsely" was the reply
IL gave Bernard my God speed this morn
ing"
knew it," julius cried, he,cely. :He
has made of with his plunder!"
Il think, julius Ray said. quietly
THAT the less you cay about the stolen notes
the better. They are all useless, as Uncle
Ralph told me he had the numbers and they
could easily be traced. So the loss to the
bank is nothing. aud the little plan to ruin
Bernard Hilton may yet fail.
What do you mean-how dare you,
cried julius
II mean, that when you promised me six
monthsago to be revenged upon Bernard
Hilton because l loved him and refused TO
be your wife, you meant what you said
You have scheemed to ruin him, to supplan;
him. You have branded him as thief
driven him from home. remain here, low
ing him, and resolved to try what womsn's
wit will do towards proving him innocent
We understand each other, think julius"
As she spoke. Ray Selwyn rose from her
seat. sni left the room. her grandfather
and cousin looking after her with as much
amazement as if they had seen lamb hi
ting tiger. Surely it would be but little
more unnatural than this display OF spirit