The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1882-11-11

Jared Clark, what have you done with
lay l.:tier!'
G4ra started, and bit h IS lip.
TIE convict TODD stock still, while the Of
hc s:trod stupidity.
Way such ID question, sIiss Clayton?"
ashe Clars, .blandiy
C-c:i eyed hiin haughdly.
'.Iou know why, SIT because he has been
missing since last Il GIT and Just before tne
coveIy of his absence Wa, seen in your
| solnpany."
Missing" repeated Clark, as if doubling
that he lad heard Alright.
The heiress stamped her little foot angrily,
and her features became rigid.
"Wtlat have you done with my father?"
she again demanded
Clark appeared nervous and uncomfort-
able.
why my dear Miss Clayton, how should
/ know where he is?"
''As the last person seen in his company
last night you should be able to tell where
he Went, or where You left him. He did not
return to the house.
The piercing yes remained riveted upon
him. He did not finch.
Il assure you. l know nothing of your
respected parent. We parted last even-
ing at the chestnut beside the lake.
|
out really do not see that | can be held
re >pon,;ble."
Inwardly he was invoking curses on the
old mans head.
When Jared Clark declared ignorance of
John Clayton's VIII, reabouts, he sp Ike truly
John Clayton out of the way, Clark's purse
would suffer
He Gid not deny that he had conversed
with the old nlan-that was evidently known.
Had he been sure of his ground, he would
have sworn to the contrary.
Cecil was obliged to accept the assevera-
tion, and remained in her former dreadful
state OF uncertainty. Her fears were now
thoroughly awakened, and she began to
feel that she had seen her dear parent for
the last time on earth.
Men were sent in every direction, to look
for the missing man. Long and untiringly
they searched, but as night closed in it be- :
came evident that, if alive, he was not in the
village.
Preparations were then made for the drag
ging OF the river.
Still no word passed between Cecil and
her convict uncle
In the evening, the prisoner was removed
to the gardeners storehouse, pretty little
frame structure of the Venetian pattern.
This was brought about by another polite
hint from Mr.. Clark, that, as this was to be
Jasper's last night out of Jail, che really
should be placed in more commodious
quarters than he had occupied the night be.
fore"
The CONSERVATION created by the myste-
rlo'ls disappearance aided Clark i'll the con-
coct'ng OF his plans against the heiress of
the Clayton property, as also did the Won
derful sagacity OF hIr. Belts, the prison OIL
cial, who indulged in all sorts of surmises
and coniectures in regard to the affair, CIV
ing much more of his time to these than to
duty. Clark determined that his prize, on
which he had, for years, fattened, should
not escape him, if schemlng could now pos
sibly save it.
The smooth-tongued villain proffered his
services as guard over Jasper while the ex-
emplary official was taking his supper, and
they We're readily accepted
Clark saw him on his way to the house.
where special board was laid for him. aud
then sat down beside the convict
'Well. Ned, you've made mess of it,
haven't your" he said, half-tauntinglv.
Jasper's gaze was fixed upon the flooring
at his feet, and he seemed not to hear
''What are you going to do, Ned, when
you get home to prison?' continued Clark
Il thought you had more courage than to
| allow them to drag you back as they'd drag
an OK to slaughter!"
| The man lifted his head
Call the towards are not behind prison
| bars, Jade Clark he returned, dosgedly.
Clark smiled.
"That's cruel, Ned But, seriously, old
friend. do you intend to keep mum on that
little history hidden behind that brain of
yours''
Jaspers eyes turned to the floor again, as
| if the contemplation Of the wood Interested
him more than the animated being before
him.
| He moved his left foot out at an angle
from the other. and covered an object lying
on some loose straw. So unconcernedly
was the move made that Clark thought it
merely change of position.
'Jade Clark, you think me weak from nv
injuries, and consequently at your mercy"
said the convict, slowly. "You also think
that, should l remain silent. you can force
those who unfortunately are of the same
name as myself Though assume another
to pan out well: Regarding the former
idea, you are entirely mistaken" and as he
spoke he stopped quickly. moved his left
foot aside, and picked up pistol "This
shows you that am able to protect myself"
He leveled the weapon. "While you were
enjoying your little chat with the guard,
| this article slipped from your coat-tail pock-
ct. The officer having kindly left me un-
'@thered, have presumed to pick it up.
Moral: Never carry firearms in your coat.
tailsr'
Clark did not move.
cas- to the information and knowledge
beneath my skull" continued Jasper, with
tantalizing nonchalance, I'VE Shall see here
after what use will be made of it. Haul out
! your portable inkstand, Mr. Clark, your pen,
and piece of paper for know that, unless
you have altered since l last talked with
you, you always carry such things"
The chagr:ned villain ground his teeth
with rage.