The Morning herald., 1878-11-26
= =, man was coming up the street.

:, instead OF the sailor garb he had worn on
tne night OF bis installation as member OF
tne band, he wore neat light suit. we'll.
fitting boots, and q soft hat.
But the streets re deserted and the
en- 'racter played to unappreciative lamp.
posts ~ q,
Near the tree which hid ok and Joe, be
stopped and gave pecu..ar whistle which
was answered by jack.
The two men left their hiding place.
"How goes the gamer" inquired Tom.
"All SERENE" responded Jack. 'The
folks is home. Fourth house over the wav. :"
Tom looked over. " '7iI'3-a
| Lights still burned brightly in the rooms
above the parlor, and moving shadows were
reflected ou the curtains. Nv
"Aint abed yet. Got yer toolsa"
"Yes"
"Bully! Let's get round to t'other street.
Joe'll watch till the lights is doused." a
Tom Black threw away the remnant Of
cigar and his cane, turned up his coat collar,
drew down the brim Of his hat, and went
on, Jack following
. 4
The success of her interview with Clark
gave Cecil Clayton hope. She felt relieved
from much of former uncertainty. A way
bad been providentially opened. Cunning
against cunning could win her the victory.
The child should restore herself to the
mother she never saw 10 know.
Clara Coles noticed her Joyous look-so
different from the look Of excitement with
which she had left the widow Burrill's, but
attributed it to other causes
pafurptprv ~ ,,,:1 s~Lk L.
panions Immediately prepared to retire.
Cecil disrobed in Clara's room, which ad-
joined her own, being separated by a parti-
ton wall in which double doors afforded
easy communication.
II have been greatly benefited by going
out" said Cecil, uncoiling her hair. 'The
evening passed quickly"
"But you lost the wager, dear!' laughed
Clara, mischievously.
"Well, I am only five dollars out, and the
wickedness of betting is covered by charity.
Wasn't it odd that he should resemble a
gentleman I've known 80 many years?"
Rather. How do you like Mr.. Ed
ridge?'
mot at ALL" was the truthful reply.
"And you danced with him!"
s1t will not do to be rude in society, you
know: There are more than enough Doors
already"
A speech which Mrs. Burrill would likely
have understood, but which Clara did not.
Clara never gained direct answers to these
dangerous questions. They were always
warded off.
"Leave your light dim, DEAR" said she, as
Cecil placed her hand on the jet
Despite extreme weariness Of body Cecil
found all efforts to induce sleep vain. The
events of the past evening teemed tumult-
uously in her brain. She lay watching the
Pickering gas.
Her thoughts varied as the possibilities
growing out of her discovery passed before
her, and happiness seemed almost within
her grasp.
An hour passed before tire'l nature bade
fair to assert it's sway. Her lids dropped
low.
Suddenly she started and sat bolt upright
and called out:
"Who's there?"
The noise she had heard ceased.
"Probably one of the servants gone down
stairs" she thought. 'Tm nervous!"
The noise not recurring, she was soon in
the land of dreams
Presently Tom Black. stood in the hall
doorway of her room.
Joe had promptly given his pals the sig.
nal. The frail basement shutters were pried
off without trouble.
Tom then ascended to the second story,
his two pals remaining below stairs. Hs
had reached the top of the stairs when he
came near betraying himself by pressing
carelessly on weak portion of the baluster.
He waited for some time after Cecils cry,
then trod cautiously into the sleeping girls
room.
At her bedside he paused and looked
down into the sweet face. What was it
made him brush his coat-sleeve across his
eyes? Something in the half-anxious coun-
tenance may have touched his heart.
He glided to the light and extinguished it.
Darkness prevailed.
His next move was mysterious.
Setting down the lantern he carried, he
drew from his pocket an envelope, knelt by
the bed, and called, lightly:
"Cecil Clayton"
Cecil stirred, but did not wake.
Moving nearer, he again called, gently as
before:
Cecil Clayton" i
The repetition started the girls latent
senses into action.
She awoke. II
Finding herself in the dark, she would
have cried aloud.
"Shush!" whispered the voice in her ear.
'I'm friend! Here, take this; read it soon
AS YOU cit the chance. Mark its contents.
and act on 'em!"
He put the letter in her hand.
She clutched it acknowledgements
ment, not fear, held her dumb.
"Don't get skeeredv continued the voice.
.There's a plot afoot to rob the house, but
no harm shall come to you. Soon as l say,
wake up yer friend. Tell her there's buglers
here. Dye see9"