The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-10-18

They were sitting together by the
kitchen table, Helen with her knittiDA
Robin apparently intent Oh q paper he
had brought H.. He glanced DIP as the
clock struck nine aud RISE trom his
Chair. Putting Oh his cap, he took a
stout oaken cudgel from a corner and
said, turning to Helen:
"Hinny, I'm gaun to take the air for
a few minutes. Yes, 1 ken it's late,h
as her eye glanced at the clock. ''hut 1
Wilma be lang AVA. Dinna sit up for
me, though!". -,
duet IN my cen that gate!' thought
Helen, as she threw on her shawl over
her head. sThat Satan of a man thinks
he's got you. body and soul, but we'n
see if, by the help of God, the wife
Gamma outwit him YETI
The children we're slumbering peace=
fully id the next room. With one fond;
lingering look, as If loath toleate them,
Helen stole softly Out 1t was d clear,
starlight night. Helen was very swift
footed, and she sped on, nimbly and
softly as a hare, soon coming in sight
of her husband, who, a. she guessed,
was walking toward the grove. Their
little cottage was situated neal the en-.
trance gate of MI. Frazer's grounds,
and the grove Was just aerdss the street:
but Instead Of crossing directly over,
Robin was taking a more. roundabout
way. Soon he entered a lonely, wind
ing path, leading to a more sequestered
part of the grove. As he walked he
swung the cudgel restlessly about him,
| - - l.~, ,,nla,~ bic hrsaoth
Helen followed him at a little dis
lance Her heart was beating SO yio-
lently now, she could hardly breathe.
Robin paused in the midst of the grove,
not far from a stately oak-tree, around
whose massive trunk ran a low, circular
seat. Here Brockleworth was awaiting
him.. In the shadowof the oak-tree you
could scarcely see his dark figure at
first, but as Robin paused, he said in a
low but distinct voice:
.fWho's that?"
"Oyou ken weel eneuch!" said Robin,
sullenly.
Helen had sunk down behind a clump
of bushes a little distance from them.
She was trembling now from head to
foot-a sickening dread of what she
might hear next almosttook her strength
away.
sf've stude' this lang eneuch!" broke
forth Robin. you've got the wicked
ness of the dell, Brockleworth, but not
his cunning, OF you'd ken better than
to drive a man to bay! I'm dune wi
you'll"
There was a low, hooking laughfrom
Brockleworth.
"Bravely said, my man, but remem-
Der there's two parties to this business,
and TUe not done with yom! Now listen
to me for a moment propose to
ask one more favor of you and then tear
myself away from you foreyer!"
"What do you want noo?" asked
Robin, a mixture of dread and hope in
his voice.
"Well, Robin, I hear you've been a
very good boy these last few years,
wouldn't take a pin that wasn't your
own, and in short, are expected to be-
come a first-class angel when you die!
Nobody suspects that you served a neat
little term in States Prison fifteen
years ago.
"Whist, for Gods saker!' gasped
Robin. looking around him.
Your mistress certainly doesn't"
went on Brockleworth, t.for she trusts
you implicitly. She will put quite a
sum of money in your hands to-mor-
row, to be spent in various Ways
eye maun be the devil himselfT'
broke forth Robin.
sMuch obliged for the compliment,
my good fellow. To return to business,
1 will relieve you of this money and my
presence together-you understand
We shall nevermeet again-on this side
Jordan at leastr'
Robin stood s~peechless. Brockle.
worth went on in an easy tone:
your mistress puts such faith in
your word you can easily cheat her into
the belief you've been robbed! DOM
stand there like a log, you stupid,
frightened foolI' some Irritation com
ing into his voice, .tsuch things happen
in the city every week."
81 won't do it!'' in a low, determined
voice.
"You won't, Ell? Then I shall con.
slider it my painful duty to inform youl
mistress and friends generally what
kind of a man honest Robin really is.
Oh it's no empty threat have papers
in my pocket that'll prove t.
evil We drive me madP" broke
forth Robin wildly. ''Wha was it led
me astray, a puir, thoughtless lad Of
fifteen, wha never harmed a saul till
you came to tempt mep What wi the
drink you gied me (and never a drap
had 1 Tasted till that night, and your
fause, flattering tongue, | scarce kenned
what L was about! The hail things
like a dream to me, noo!"
Unfortunately for you, the Court
didn't take that view of the matter!'
said Brockleworth, with a sheer. s.It
can't be quite a dream to you hat you
worked for. your board several months
in States Prison to pay for those few
sovereigns youextracted from your EN-
ployer's drawer"
: "Yes, and wha pit me up to it, anC
then turned evidence against me wher
he feared he'd get into trouble him
sell P" asked Robin. with bitter empha
sis. Sane wha ca'ad himself a gentle
!, leman, too! Gang ava, We black
poisonous snake! Ye're not fit to haut
company wi me, for a my ain wrong
doing! But what's the use of talking
J said the poor fellow, grief overcoming
his momentary anger. at Was my owl
faut-to let sic a young deevil get thu
/ lead O. me, and be tempted int
/ sin by him! Oh my puir mither
2 1 broke your heart, and moo
, .'Come, Robin, this snivelling won
[ pass! I mean business! just thinl
what your wife would say, that pious
: amiable creature who would die rathe