The Morning herald., 1877-02-17
CORD and CREBsB.
CHAPTER XXX.
ssiITHDRs 4 co.

"Where ID Div NV"
sNmH;; Nnl;1;n. mechanically raised his head,
ilno;rptad irn;r over toward Brandon Hall.
'% w. she confined against her will?"
philips shook his head.
ashe Che ,tays then through love Of you"
!, 1narr anr one else there?" said Smithers in
.,.npe m sad voice, in which there was a
i,teripg Isr tone which Philips in his fright
djdnot notice. :,
' miss Potts." he said.
ashe Che il treated cruelty" said Smithers.
uThev say she is a prisoner?
Philips nodded.
HAS she been sick?'
"Ys."
"How long ?"
"Eight months, last year,"
"Is she well now?"
Yes"
smitbers bowed his head in silence,
and nut bis hand on his heart. Philips
watched him in an agony Of fright, as
though every instant he was apprehensive
Of pme terrible calamity.
How is she ?" continued Smitters, after
.tue. "Has she ever been happy since
,hs went there" =,
Philips shook his head slowly and
uournhnlly.
"Does her father ever show her any affec-
don%
"Never."
"Does her brother ?"
"Never."
Is there any one who does?'
"Yes"
"Who%
"Ny. Compton"
"Your mother %
"Yes."
twill not forget that. No, ! will never
forget that. Do you think that she is ex-
posed to any danger ~
miss Potts 2"
Smithers powed.
Il don't know. I sometimes fear so."
"0fwhat kindw
y don't know. Almost any horrible
thing may happen in that horrible place"
Apang Of agony shot across the sombre
brow Of Smithers. He was silent for a long
time.
Have you ever sighted her" he asked
at last
Never. cried Philips. II could wor-
ship her"
Smithers smiled upon him with smile
50 sweet that 1t chased all Philips fear
away. He took courage and began to show
more calm.
Fear nothing" said smithers, in gen
lie voice. 81 see that in spite of your fol-
lies and crimes there is something good in
you yet. You love your mother, do you
Tears came into Philips eyes. He
sighed. "Yes," he said, humbly,
And An you are kind to her-that other
i love her as my mother" said Philips
earnestly.
smlthers again relapsed into silence for
along Time. At last he looked up. PHI
lips saw his eyes this time, no longer stern
and Wrathful, but benignant and indul-
gent.
You have been all your life under the
power OF merclless men," said he. "You
nave nav been M led by them into folly and crime
ana suffering. Often you have been
'orced to act against your will. Poor
Nfeleh can save you, and l intend to do
20 msplte Of yourself. You fear these mas
efs ofy yours. You must know now that
hno' they, am to be feared. They know
your secret but dare not use it against vou.
Know it and can use it if 1 choose. You
nave nav been afraid Of them all your life,
rear them no longer, but fear me. These
aen men whom you fear are in my power as
'tllas Ill you are. know all their secrets
There is not crime oftheirs of which
!ouknow that ! do not know also. and 7
NOV far more"
You must from this time forth be nv
gent Smithers g. Co. have agents in ali
Ns Of the world. You shall be their
snt in Brandon Hall. You shall sav
.s .%alng Of this interview to any one. not
va to your mother-you shall not dare
Communicate with me unless requested
HMept HSp about such things as l shall specify.
sS!ou s dare 10 shrink in any one point
svn your duty, at that instant / will
Sus Ss down upon you with heavy hand
I~' .' TOO, are watched. l have other agents
%0 %e IN Brandon besides yourself. Mapv
"mose who 60 to the bank as customerrs
@my agents. You cannot be false with
IsS'ny knowing it, and when you are
,r' a'e' mat moment you shall be handed
"Ts ~ 10 the authorities. Do you hear?'
~, !ne lace of Smithers was mild, but his
n. %.e was stern. 1t was the warning of a
,,%yet merciful master. All the timid
ka.s su.e :. Of Philips bent in deep subjection
1ule h"s Inc powerful spirit ofthis man. He