The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-07

N'uCO SAufCu CLOCK one.
Gypsy Jack and Grabbed Joe emerged
from under the area steps OF house oppo-
site their selected prize.
"Iime almost up" said Joe, in muffled
tones, wriggling toward the gate, "and Tom
aint here yeti"
mo fear o him." replied Jack. Hes
straight Said he had private business on
hand"
You're too sure. I'm q spider-crawl
into secrets-crawl into out O the way
places"
Jack shifted the air disdainfully
Money crazy, Joe!-that's what's the
matter with you!"
A man was coming up the street.
The two thieves stepped behind tree.
Tom Black, the man they watched saun-
tered along, smoking q fragrant Havana
and idly twirling light cane.
Instead of the sailor garb he had worn on
the night of his installation as a member of
the band, he wore neat light suit we'll
fitting boots, and q soft hat
But the streets W re deserted and the
character played to unappreciative lamp
posts
Near the tree which hid Jack and Joe, he
stopped and gave peculiar whistle, which
was answered by Jack
The two men left their hiding place.
"How goes the game?" inquired Tom.
"All seren-," responded Jack. THE
folks is home. Fourth house over the way. 4"
Tom looked over.
Lights still burned brightly in the rooms
above the parlor, and moving shadows were
reflected on the curtains.
"Aint abed yet Got yer tools?"
"Yes."
"Bully! Let's get round to t'other street.
Joell watch till the lights is doused."
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.
The success of her interview with Clark
gave Cecil Clayton hope. She felt relieved
from much of former uncertainty. way
had been providentially opened. Cunning
against cunning could win her the victory.
The child should restore herself to the
mother she never saw to know.
Clara Coles noticed her JOYOUS look-so
different from the look of excitement with
which she had left the widow Burrills, but
attributed it to other causes.
Returning home at midnight, the COM
panions Immediately prepared to retire.
Cecil disrobed in Claras room, which ad-
joined her own, being separated by a parti-
ton wall, in which double doors afforded
easy communication.
Il have been greatly benefited by going
out" said Cecil, uncoiling her hair. ''Ths
evening passed quickly"
''But you lost the wager, dear! laughed
Clara, mischievously.
"Well, am only five dollars out, and the
wickedness OF betting is covered by charity.
Wasn't it odd that he should resemble O
gentleman I've known so many years?"
'Rather. How do you like Mr.. Ed
ridge2
mot OF all, " was the truthful reply.
"And you danced with him.
sit VIII 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 weeriness 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 tired nature bade
fair to assert its sway. Her eyelids dropped
low.
Suddenly she started and sat bolt upright.
and called out:
"Who's there?s
The noise she had heard ceased.
"Probably one of the servants gone down
stairs" she thought, I'm 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 assembled to the second story,
his two pals remaining below stairs. He
had reached the top of the stairs when he
came near betraying himself by pressing
carelessly on a weak portion of the baluster.
lie waited for some time after Cecil's cry,
then tod 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 eoat-sleeve across his
eyes2 Something in the half-anxious coun-
tenance may have touched his heart.
He glided to the light and extnguished 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"
The repetition started tho girls latent