The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-04-26
sThe deuce she she does! How can


THE deuce she she does! How cal
he afford it?'
.Ahi' said old Hardie, taking snufI
that's a different matter. ! dom
know how he affords it. If I were
Denny, should keep an eve to things !
They've had some serions lessont
already, I'm told said the other
THAT burglary last week cost them a
| thousand pounds
ANY trace of the burglars as yet?
No. The sale must have been open
ed by skeleton keys, Denny thinks
sHnmphr grunted old IIardie. III
the cashier was any one but Hale, that
Denny trusts as he would trust him
self
'Ob, nonsense, nonsense !! cried the
other old gentleman. There's such a
thing as being too suspicious, Hardie
You'll be eaying next that Hale is at
the head of gang Of burgI:rs!'
He may be, for all know replied
Hardie, dryly.
Meanwhile. Mr.. Reginald Denny be-
gan to be strangely mistrustful. Not
of John Hale-he would as soon have
thought of doubling himself-but OF
others about him.
Hale, said he, sometimes 1 think
these knaves of burglars are nearer
home than any one imagines!
DO you, sir?' A CHASTITY look came
over the young mans features, as if he
were in pain. Impossible!
AT all events, it is worth looking
into,' said Denny. The circle Of sus.
picion seems to be narrowing now
Do you mind sitting up for night OF
two?'
Not at all, sir, if you desire it.
Pm sorry to ask it of you, as yo,
haven't seemed well this last week Oh
two
sPray don't mention il; l am wei
enough said Hale, almost inpatiently
1t was the first night Of his vigil-s
dark, tempestuous midnight. with rair
falling outside, and the rush of equi
noctial winds wai.ing down the chin
neys. MIR. Reginald Denny had gon.
home, but some unanaly Zed notion in
duced him to return, quietly and b,
stealth, toward two O'Clock in tn,
morning. Letting himself in by hi
own private key, with a word of reas
surrance to the alarmed watchmal
who paced the warehouse, he noise
lessly entered the contingencies.
The safe where the money and val
liable papers were kept was wide open
Kneeling before il, with both hand
full of bank-notes and bills, hurriedl,
transferring some to an open leathe
case on his right hand, and putin!
others back, was John Hale himself.
In an instant, Mr.. Reginald Denny
iron grasp was on his arm.
so have go: at the root of the mat
ter at last said he, in a deep, sterl
voice. so you are the burglar, Johl
Hale!'
'Ah" exclaimed the culprit, in dis
may. 'IIave mercy!'
Mercy ona heartless wretch never
You shall pay the full penalty Of you
base ingra,itude and crime
Think for one moment, sir, Of tn,
situation in which have been place,
by an extravagant wife, whom fond
ly, tenderly love-
'IIer io!lies are no excuse for you
dishonesty; have placed unlimited
trust in you this is my reward. Ha,
not fortunately arrived on the spot
Tomorrow would have seen me beg
gar, and the viper 1 have warmed ant
nourished, laughing at his dupe.'
White with rage aud dismay, Hal
sprang to his feet, and confronted ,h
man whom he had SO long been sys
tematically robbing.
You have discovered me, he cried
in stifled accents, but you never shal
convict mey
There was vivid flash, the repor
of q pistol, and the next instant Johi
Hale lay dead before the eyes of th'
Mortified merchant.
1T was not so much his own fault q
it was his wife's,' people said, whel
the ugly facts connected with JOIN
Hale's suicide leaked out. 'He wa
weak, but not naturally wicked, an,
she prosecuted him mercilessly 70
money. Poor girl +! her dress, fashion
and luxuries were dearly bought
And Victoria Hale, sitting, pale ant
agouized, in her deep widows weeds
knew as we'll "a If supernatural hand
had written 1t in fiery letters. on th'
wall, that she had killed ber husband