The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-08-29
All was very still.

All was very still.
The Colonel this hour was enjoying
his book and his cigar, the fragrant smell
of which came pleasantly to her al she
stood on the staircase head.
With sigh OF relief she went back
again into the room, locked the door,
and then going to the French windows
she opened them, at the same time sho W
ing light.
Then pressing her hand over her bo-
som to still the anxious beatings of her
heart she sank back iD her louge-chair
and waited.
Though the open easement came the
monotonous roll of the waves and the
swaying to and fro of the great trees
under the influence of the rising breeze.
All else was still, and it was with anx-
iety which was almost overwhelming
that che waited for the sound OF some
one approaching.
At length the faintest noise came to
her-the noise of some one coming
slowly up the ladder.
"He comes" she murmured, and with
heightened color che sprang up aud ap-
preached the easement once more.
One look she gave, and then in anoth.
er instant she was claspcd to Franks
breast.
"Quick! Come in," she said, "but dc
not speak above your BREATH"
"Why2" asked Frank in surprise
"Has the Colonel, then, turned against
me3 hardly thought it would come
to that"
"Never mind. my dearest" cried Mel.
ly; lyon would turn. perhaps, agains
your best friend IL you had such snake
working against you as Caleb Alder. HI
has done all he can to ruin you with my
father; even at this terrible hour he Of
fered to save you il would consent te
become his wife"
"The villain" muttered Frank with
pale lips. "There yet will come an hour
OF retribution."
"But tell me-" interrupted Nelly with
kiss and whisper, "tell me all ="
"First, my love-" said Frank, "tell me
all you know, as time is precious"
Nelly quickly told her story.
Frank listened calmly although the
pallor OF his cheeks and the working o
his features told how greatly he was suf.
fering
"Let me-" he said when she had fn.
ished, "let me, my darling, take up the
story from the point where Caleb Alder
says that ! was asked to look over some
accounts by SIR John Craddock.
at was so. True also it is that Mr.
Mortimer was IN the bank at the same
time as myself.
81 must have been there too at the
very time that the crime was committed,
though heard no sound.
~ said Good night TO Mr.. Mortimer
and went down 10 lower room, where
] bad to deposit the books. and after
about ten minutes passed to the front
"Only myself and Mr.. Mortimer could
let ourselves out, as We had each of us
special keys, and just as had opened
the door man, who must have been
concealed in the shadow. came dashiug
out, nearly oversetting me.
"With a cry of terror I slammed the
door after me, and giving chase came
up with the man just at the corner ol
court, where he Joined another.
II saw at once that other was my
brother.
81 had bis ruffian companion by the
throat when recognized him, and was
about to cry for help, but the sight OF
Richard and the terror of what I sus-
pected paralyzed me for the moment aud
l could not speak.
"'You had better let we'll enough
alone, said Richard in a horse, cruel
voice. You refused me money to save
me, and my friend here has taken it. II
you give the alarm will say you lie,
US into the bank, and heigh! presto
away go your positie n, your bride. and
all as il before the waving of magi-
clans wand. Let GO your holdP
~ don't know what came o7er me-
continued Frank, '"but the whole earth
seemed to swim round with me, and
half swooneh. suppose it was that
the whole terrible leality seemed to come
upon me at once.
"When came 10 myself they were
gone.
~ know l was foolish; know I was
weak. ] ought fo have gone OF once to
Sir John Craddock, or, at any rate, have
given the alarm; but the terrible fac'
that I was connected with the criminal
kept me hack. and said nothing.
"It was only on the next day that
beard OF the murder, and when saw
that was suspected went while was
still at liberty-through the hesitation
Of Sir John-to my solicitor.
"'This is q most terrible thing be
said; you had better go down to Deep
sea or to some other place and keep
quiet. I will make your part of the sto-
ry public and say that you are in search
of the fugi,ives But do not show up
in London; you have no chance at pres
ent against such evidence
II came down, Nelly, last night by the
| utu oiUPt NJ OH OOoCutc {
little inn, hoping to see you this morn
ing.
"But letter posted last night reached
me early. 1t was from my lawyer, Mr..
Sharpe, and in it he told me must leave
England at once!
"sThings are worse than ever he said
Against the evidence and the evident i'll
feeling OF your accusers You have no
chance Go at once. ! will forward
your money but pray let no false idea.
Of honor keep you in England. You
must not reappear until the real man 10
found!' y"
As he said this there was eight noise
below.
Both listened snxionsly, clinging tc
each other as II for mutual protection.
But then again all was silent and Nelly
whispered:
"Be brave, Frank, and always trust ir
me. You must 60. Had you NOR,
time, IL my coming would not be stun
bling.block to your safety, I would fy
with you. But l will not keep you