The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-16


used for buttery. This they thought to
be sure retreat
But the clap-boards we're thin, and con-
yersation carried on in low tones inside |
might be distinctly heard outside by lying |
close against them.
And, while the plotters were busily en-
gagged, q man did stretch himself on the
ground alongside the house, whose ears alb
sorbed everything.
It did not take long to arrange the vile
olot, and before it was dark its details were
perfected.
Cecil and her mother were seated in
iCuiet nook in the garden, talking over tho
10y which might be In store for them.
"Cecil, my darling, if we were only priv
ileged to let our relations be known to those
about us, and were your father with us,
we should be perfectly happy" said Mrs.
Clayton.
"But, mother-how I love to dwell on
that word; it is no precious to me-mother,
sweetest name ON earth! But mother, from
what you have told me, should say that
father"
Mrs. Clayton placed finger over her lip.
81 merely said, dear, that slight posi-
bility existed. l can forgive, but forget,
never! A reunion after so many years
Oh NOutu uuOub III OAtoohiS
of every phase of the secret, and that could
not be. Surely you would not have it soa"
"Oh, yes, would"
Mrs. clayton kissed her fondly.
"You do well, dear, in acceding to my
wishes 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 acknowledgement.
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
herew cried the girl.
SIT does not matter" was the calm reply.
81 shall never use it"
| Cecil knew that it was whole when her
mother received it, for it had a notarys seal
and signature appended: but the deposers
name had since been obliterated. 1t was an
oath to the legality of Sarah Armstrong;
marriage with John Clayton.
While she was yet examining it, 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.
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 gain2"
"You haven't much delicacy, Mrs. Clark"
replied the villain, with sneer. II did
not think your brazenry 30 unlimited If
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 Cecil's veins.
Before he could reply, she placed herself
before her mother, and drew her slight,
graceful figure to its full height, crying
"Fiend heartless, designing fend! rather
than that you should have aught to do with
mine, would sacrifice even the life I now
hold so dear! defy you TO your face! You
claim that we are in your power. You are
in mine! The chain is being forged about
your neck! 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 boxY" he hissed.
"No, she won't give you the box, cap"
came the answer, in voice vell-known to
II And his clutch was loosed by thump
from the clenched fist of the mysterious
Mr. Black, who at the moment put in an
appearance. =,
"You herep"
"You bet! Trades dnll; out for pic
nie Easy! Don't draw your toadstieker
on me, cause they're very bad things.
They cuts too deep. And remember I'm
the bulldog as bites when you aint awful
CAREFUL"
A pistol-barrel cleaned in the dying SUM-
set.
"You axed for your box, I blieve, and
axed in VERY emphatic way. I was wi
cious enough to steal it,
Back to its place went the pistol and out
came the missing box from the recesses Of q
light coat
: "Want it badp" asked Tom, holding il
dangerously near its owner. $50 do /. It's
worth lots to these folks. That's why
didn't let 'em have it, for you'd have stolen
? it back again, and that would be wicked
heard you say you was goin' to make raid
9 on the Clayton ranch tonight"
. "What-you overheard our conversation
down the road?"
"Every word," replied Tom, with tantaliz.
a ing nonchalance. "Nuther bad habit
: eayssdroppin'. I'll have to break myself Of
d it. But / know moren that about you.
You're a bad case, Mr. Man-with. many
y !. names"
"Jack! Jackr' Clark called suddenly.
: Tom gave utterance to prolonged laugh
"No need O. calling him. We found hin
7. botherin' Mr. Newting bout a debt you say
a Mr.. Newting owes you. As don't b'lievt
o in debtors being put in tight boxes, l axet
the gent as was with me to tie Mr.. Clips.
IL Jack, esquire and he tied him"
n Confusion, Jack arrested! :.
g ~ weep to say SO, but guess that's it
3 cap"
r. with fierce cry, Clark sprang upon him
70 Tom thrust his hand quickly into hi
pistol-pocket--th lining caught and hell
D. the weapon back.
Clark's knife descended in direct line b
the brave mans heart.
s. shot rang out on the air.
d The knife fell to the ground. The arn
a, that had held it dropped, shattered by
ball.
T. Cecil Clayton had saved a life by he
of presence of mind. She had extricated til
,e pistol and used it,
On the instant and before the wounde
ID man could fee, Tom blew shrill blast fror
n whistle, attached to his neck by an II
visible cord.
"A Two detectives, in citizen dress, cam
"a from behind the bushes, and stood besid
Clark, one on the right, one on the left.
IN "Jest in timer said Tom, approvingl.
q ''Mr. Bob Willis, these men will take cal
lis o you. You'll not get away, like you di
A.l