The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-08-22


punished for his crime; that he fed to
Austria, and is even now liable to he ar.
rested, and made to pay the penalty of
his crime.
"Well, he came to Deepsea to demand
from his brother Frank thousand
pounds to enable him to return to Aus
trala, threatening if he did not give this
sum to him in four days, he would speak
to Sir John Craddock and your father.
"Let us sitdown." said Nelly. qnielly
81 feel faint. Your words overwhelm
me-"
Nelly heaved deep sigh as she sat
down. and Caleb Alder took seat be
side her, though not approaching closer
than was necessary.
"If you'are thus easily Affected, bel
said, "you will have need Of all your
strength to bear the rest. aps.s.s.a....s..sss,.
"Proceed, Mr.. Alder" said Nslly, 10
constrained voice, which was infinitely
painful; proceed. l am ready-nay,
anxious to hear ALL"
"Well, then, I heard ALL" said Caleb,
''though, repeat, much against my will.
"Frank resolutely refused to be fright
ened into doing what his brother asked,
offering him three hundred pounds or
so; but Richard refused to hear of any
thing of the kind, and appointed meet
ing in London.
"On the next day Frank Eyersleigh
was seen talking to his brother and a
rough-looking fellow at the corner of
court near the bank, and the next time
Richard was seen be was dressed as
gentleman.
"Well, we now approach the worst
part of all.
'On the evening of the next day, Sir
John Craddock requested Frank, as a
great favor, to remain at the bank and
look over som, accounts after business
hours
you will not be alone" said Sir
John, smiling, 'for Mr.. Mortimer, the
cashier, will be in the building also'
ga veil is drawn for the present over
what folio we'd but on the next morning,
Mr. Mortimer was found lying dead in
his little room, with terrible wound in
ais skull, and thousand pounds 10 gold
abstrac,ed from the monev in bis care.
"The policeman on the beat says that
no one entered the house except Mr.
Eversleigh; that the latter came out very
agitated at late hour; and more than
that, life preserver was found by the
side of the murdered man, with the mi
tials f. E. on the handle. Come, Miss
Observation-Disclosures courage"
The girl needed it badly, but it was
fast flowing from her.
81 have courage, Mr. Alder" che said
in trembling voice; shut, oh! what a
trial this is! 1t seems like a dreadful
dream; and yet" she ad led, as she pass
ed her hand across her brow wearily,
and gave an upward glance, twill it ever
pass away-will it ever pass awav? ?"
"Yes. it can pass away, dear Nelly"
said Alder, taking her listless hand, and
speaking in voice of suppressed pas
sion which almost alarmed her. sat shall
pass away swear to you, Nelly. dear
Nelly, that if you will consent to forego
this marriage, which, indeed, canno.
come off, if you will promise to become
my wife, will save Frank alone can
save him Ii he has not friend who
will speak for him, who will, in fact,
prove his innocence, he will be hanged.
Nelly, do not think me cruel, do not
deem me hard-hearted; but if you re-
fuse me your love, the only boon on
earth for which my heart Graves, ] will
not speak for him! Without your love
I shall be ruined, wretched, pitiable
man; and shall care not for the good
or bad opinion of any one."
The strain on Nelly's strength was
rapidly becoming more than she could
bear, and she accepted as relief the
sounds which told her that some one
was coming up the garden-walk to meet
her.
1t was the servant-girl with lantern.
eff you please, miss, here's tele-
gram for you," she said, land the bov
is waiting to know if you'd write down
an answer"
The young girl seized it eagerly, her
heart beating the while unanimously :;
and in the light of the lantern she read
the words upon it, forgetting that the
| eyes of Caleb Alder could easily read
them, too, from where he stood, for as
he had sprang from the seat he was close
to her.
The telegram ran as follows:
"There has been an upset at the hank
cannot describe what in telegram,
but am suspected of it. will be down
tomorrow evening and explain all =
Telegraph back 10 me and tell me where
l can meet you at eight in the evening ?
Best love and dearest wishes ;"
The exact words she wrote back with
trembling hands and blinded eyes Nelly
never knew, but when they were written
and dispatched by the servant, she mur
INJURED some unintelligible words, and
fell fainting upon the lawn.
If Caleb Alder had been gentleman.
he would either have called for assis
tance or have lifted her in his arms and
carried her into the house.
| He did neither.
He simply raised her and placed her
on the seat, and taking flask from his
pocket, damped her lips with brandy,
and bathed her forehead
He had not yet had his answer, and
on that answer depended the fate of
Frank and Nelly.
He could hardly expect that she would
refuse him now.
He had told her that, unless she spoke,
her lovers fate was sealed.
Was he so repulsive that she would
rather see Frank die than marry him ?
She recovered presently, and glanced
round her wildly.
For an instant she seemed as If all
had been forgotten, and that she knew
not where she was.
Then the whole truth, the terrible
truth, rushed back upon her brain, and
she said, in low voice:
"Mr. Alder, give me your arm, l must
go in now"
"One moment" said Caleb, in a voice