Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-02-22

glancing back rather CONTEMPORARY
at the square, red brick house. "The
farm is his, / hear. But what is that
to such home is ! offer your"
"The farm is only small part of
grandpapa's wealth. said Sylvia, who,
in spite of her infatuation, slightly re-
sented this persistent undertaking. of
her family and friends.
1t was not the first time that he had
talked in that way. Should she-should
she tell him secret which would make
him approach her grandfather with
more respect when he went to ask his
consent to their marriage9 1t might be
well to do so.
"But mans bank account tells the
story of his property, love" said Philip
carelessly. "And your grandfather has
none at Clinton, so the people say.
But what does that matter?" he added,
changing his tone. 81 marry you for
love, not for money, my darling"
"Phil, will tell you something, only
you must keep the secret faithfully"
said the foolish girl. "Grandpapa, has
horror ofbanks. He keeps his money
here at home"
"a small amount, suppose, dear.
Well, that is not SO very dangerous.
"Small, amount To my certain
knowledge there are more than ten
thousand dollars in his safe this night
"a safer But that is dangerous.
anyone seeing a safe in your house
would guess at once that it held
money"
"Iiush, Phil No one would ever
guess the secret. 1t is built into the
wall. And out of that safe, sir; a hand
some dowry is to come for me when l
marry with his consent" said Sylvia,
gazing tenderly into his handsome face
as he bent above her, to steal a kiss
from her half willing lips.
Blind, foolish, infatuated Yes, she
must have been all that, or she would
never have betrayed that sacred secret
of the household to one who was almost
a stranger. Binder still that she did
not notice the alteration in her lovers
manner after the secret was told, and
the eager, restless way in which he
presently glanced at his watch and re.
GREETED that he must leave her because
he had an engagement to keep with his
lawyer, who was to arrive at Clinton by
the last train-thc train that they heard
even then, skrieking and whistling its
way past the farm.
After he had gone-after the magic
influence of his presence had vanished
Sylvia, in the quiet of her own cham,
Der, thought tremblingly Of what she
had done.
At midnight Sylvia was reused from
dream of her lover, by loud cry in
the lower hall.
Her grandfather's voice And then
heavy steps, low, fierce mutterings, like
curses-a short, fierce struggle, and a
crushing blow.
"Pm coming, grandfather. Oh, what
is it?' cried Sylvia, lighting her lamp
with trembling fingers, and only wait
ing to throw on her dressing gown.
No one answered. She sped down
the staircase and stood at the foot,
aghast with horror.
There lay her kind, good grandfather
at her feet, apparently dead, bathed in
the blood that flowed from wound in
the forehead. And before her two
masked men we're busy trying to open
the safe that held the money.
Help! murder thieves!" screamed
Sylvia, reckless of her own peril, as she
flew to the front door and threw it wide
open.
There's that girl. Shoot her, Dick"
shouted savage voice-and yet it was
so familiar to her ear.
Crouching to avoid the bullet, Sylvia
few into the garden, and into the arms
of man who stood below the steps.
"Hush, dear. It's only George" he
said, as she cried out. "The police are
here on the track of two burglars, and
and I came with them, with my dear
mother, Sylvia, to warn you. I'm sor-
ry to say that Phil Carr is one."
He drew her aside to where his moth
err stood, as the rush came from the po-
lice and farm hands, who had been
stealthily summoned to aid them
Shots were fired, furious struggle
took place within the hall, and then the
prisoners came forth, handcufied and
unmasked.
For the last time Sylvia Lee looked
upon the face Of the man who had 80
well nigh been her ruin
They raised the poor old doctor, and
found that his wound was only super
fetal. He was about, we'll and strong
as ever on the second day afterward.
But Sylvia laid for days in the grasp
of brain fever, and it was a very pale
and delicate little bride that was given
| hy the doctor To Gaorre MAXWELL inst