The Morning herald., 1878-12-11

-~~p~~~-~--Gl
wishes. I am glad pride has had fall.
All! she did not know what fierce battle
had been waged within her daughters bo-
som. 1t was no Light duty for Cecil to utter
that acknowledgment.
In the course of their talk, Cecil requested
a sight of the paper which Tom Black had
given her on the occasion Of his midnight
visit, and which, at her mothers solicita-
ton, she had given up. Mrs Clayton took
il from her pocket, and laid it in her lap.
''Why, it is torn!--the signature is not
herep cried the girl.
SIT does not matter" was the calm reply
II shall never use it"
Cecil knew that it was whole when her
mother received it, for it had notary's seal
and signature appended: but the deposer's
name had since been obliterated. 1t was an
oath to the legality of Sarah Armstrong;
marriage with John Clayton.
While she was yet examining 1t, an ex-
clamation from her mother caused her to
look up Jared Clark stood before them.
She could have screamed, so sudden was
the shock, and for the first time his pres
ence frightened her. ta't
Mrs. Clayton did not stir from her seat.
"Jared Clark, what brings you to the
home of honest people?" she asked. haugh-
tily. What do you think to gain?"
''You haven't much delicacy, Mrs. Clark,
replied the villain, with sneer. II did
not think your brazenry so unlimited. Ii
you wish to remain here, you must pay.
Old Clayton handed over pile; you shall
follow in his footsteps"
''Never! The mine is run out. You shall
never receive another penny"
There was greenish glare in the mans
eyes that sent chill through Cecils veins.
Before he could reply, she placed herself
before her mother, and drew her slight,
graceful figure to its full height, crying:
"Fendl heartless, designing fiend! rather
than that you should have aught to do with
mine, I would sacrifice even the life now
hold so dear! defy you to your facel You
claim that we are in your power. You are
in mine! The chain is being forged about
your neckI The last link will soon be
welded! Boast while you may"
Stung to madness, her enemy seized her
by the wrist.
"Will you give me that box?" he hissed.
s'No, she won't give you the box, cap!'
came the answer, in voice well-known to
all.
And his clutch was loosed by a, thump
from the clenched fist of the mysterious
Mr.. Black, who at the moment put in an
appearance.
"You here2"
..You bet! Trades dull; out for pic
mic. Easy! Don't draw your toadsticker
on me, cause they're very bad things.
They cuts too deep. And remember I'm
the bulldog as bites when you amt awful
careful!' t-sf
A pistol-barrel cleaned in the dying sun
set.
''You axed for your box, I b'lieve, and
axed in O VERY emphatic way. was WI
cious enough to steal it,
Back to its place went the pistol, and out
came the missing box from the recesses OF a
light coat. :,
"Want it badp" asked Tom, holding it
dangerously near its owner. $50 do l. Its
worth lots to these folks. That's why I
didn't let 'em have 1t, for you'd have stolen
it back again, and that would DO wicked. l
heard you say you was goin' to make raid
on the Clayton ranch tonight"
"What-you overheard our conversation
down the road?"
"Every word" replied Tom, with tantaliz-
ing nonchalance sNuther bad habit
eavesdroppin'. I'll have to break myself of
it. But / know more'n that about you
You're bad case, Mr.. Man-with-many-
names" .r ..-l
"Jack! JackP' Clark called suddenly.
Tom gave utterance to prolonged laugh
'sNo need O. calling him. We found him
botherin' Mr., Newting bout q debt you say
Mr. Newting owes you. As don't b'lieve
in debtors being put in tight ho' IS, axed
the gent as was with me to lo Mr. Gipsy
Jack, esquire, and he tied him. s-.. ..
ssConfusion, Jack arrestedP
81 weep to say SO, but guess that's 1t,
cap" "~ w
With fierce cry, Clark sprang upon him.
Tom thrust his hand quickly into his
pistol-pocket-th lining caught and held
the weapon back. ..,..
Clark's knife descended in O direct line to
the brave mans heart.
A shot rang out on the air.
The knife fell to the ground. The arm
that had held it dropped, shattered by q
ball.
Cecil Clayton had saved life by her
presence of mind. She had extricated the
pistol and used 1t.
On the instant, and before the wounded
man could flee, Tom blew shrill blast from
a whistle, attached to his neck by an in
visible cord.
Two detectives, in citizen dress, came
from behind the bushes, and stood beside
Clark, one on the right, one on the left.
"Jest in time' said Tom, approvingly.
sMr. Bob Willis, these men will take care
O. you. You'll not get away, like you did
from the Travellers Rest. And when you
are tried, I'll soy word for the prosecu-
ton. Put that in yer meersham and puff
On it!'
"On what charge am arrested%
"Ilackmail in the first degree"
.rraphlinp with RAGE and suffering with