Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-09-10

reached the structure Nan had described tC
him. If there had been rescue or an es.
! cape that night, there were now no traces o.
the same evident
With considerable anxiety as to the pru.
dence OF his course, sherwood entered tn,
I! building and wandered cautiously along it
corridors in search Of some trace OF th,
men whom he believed held Edith in theil
| power He knew it not, but at that mo.
ment the men he sought were discussing
the situation Of affairs in a room very neal
to where he was sitting.
For when Elmer Warren had heard Wild
Mans del1r1ous reference to the hat floating
in the river, glad to accept the theory thai
Edith eslle had been effectually disposed
of, he never suspected the wanderer Of du-
plicity. never thought it strange that she
should be on the docks. never stopped tc
consider how singular it was that Edith
should have escaped, as he supposed. un-
aided
There was wild. triumphant iov in his
evil heart as he hurried to the room where
he had left Leslie. Nan followed in his
footsteps, keeping up the semblance Of an
excited, bewildered mind by muttering
wildly to herself.
Leslie. who had been startled by the
sudden hie hit Of Warren few minutes pre-
vious, was aroused out of his drunken
stupor, and regarded his confederate Curl
ously, inquiringly as he entered the room.
He knew that Edith had escaped. but
nothing more. Warren proceeded to en-
tighten him on the subject.
She is gone,n were his first words.
Escaped" inquired Leslie, blankly.
@No; drowned.
The mechanic started.
aYou are sure Of it?" he asked.
aYes; her hat floating in the river and the
words Of Nan, who seems to have been
wandering in the vicinity, prove it"
A satisfied look came over the faces of the
men as they seated themselves at the table
and engaged in confidential conversation.
Nan, apparently immersed in somber
thoughtfulness, sat in one corner Of the
room, unmindful of them, but her dark
eyes flashed curiously as she regarded them
ever and anon.
She breathed more fully as she discov-
cred from Warren's manner that her appear
ance on the bank Of the river had not ex-
cited his suspicious. Knowing full well
what the next steps of these men would be,
and also realizing that to feign q mood OF
distraction would prevent them from ques-
tioning her and preyarication on her part,
she quietly awaited the results Of their de-
hberations.
Warren at last arose from the table.
"Then it's settled, Leslie?" he said, half
inquiringly.
Yes, assented his companion, Il sup
pose so."
And we leave here tomorrow night2" +.
Leslie nodded affirmatively.
You think we can remove her safely?'
asked Warren.
He indicated the sleeping figure of Mrs.
Leslie as he spoke.
The mechanic scowled darkly.
yes, he replied, we will have to take
her.
And yonder girl2"
Warren's tone was low as he referred to
Nan, but she, without eyidencing the fact
by her attitude, heard what he said.
Shell do as we wish, never fear.
aShe seems wilder than usual to night,
limited Warren anHously.
Then humor her mood, and you'll be
able to manage her. The excitement of
the night has agitated her. Mani"
The wanderer affected start of surprise
and came to his side.
What is it. sir?"
"You remember what we told your"
She knitted her brows in perplexed
thought.
About the flowers, and the rocks, and
-" she began, with witless smile on hel
face.
@No. no, interrupted Leslie, inpatient
ly; about the marriage"
"Oh, yes, she exclaimed, her face bright
ening; @Tm to marry Mr.. Warren"
That's it" assented Leslie, eagerly. @We
wish to leave here tomorrow night What
have you arranged, Warren?" he asked, in
9 whisper to his companion.
at is better to wait until dark" replied
Warren. Strange visitors here seen in
daylight might arouse suspicion.
Very well. I'll tell you, Nan" said Les
lie, aloud; "at nine o'clock tomorrow might
you must be ready"
Ready" repeated Nan, with vacant
face and glance at her clothing "Don't
people wear silks and wells and flowers al
weddings2"
Warren checked the smile on his face
but said, in a tone calculated to humor hel
whim
Well have them when we get to our new
home.
The girls face clouded.
] must have new dress and veil, any
way" she said, sullenly.
aHumor her whim, Warren, whispered
Leslie in his companions ear.
Very well, Nan; here's the money tC
buy what you want" and Warren handed
her bill from his pocket-book. a0n1y
remember to be ready atnine o'clock to-mor.
row night
They paid but little attention to the wan
derer. when after while she left the room
They did not attempt to check her restles.
actions, confident that she was too witlesi
to betray or defeat their plans in any way
Leslie had fallen asleep on the table anc
Warren was still drinking when Nan agair
peered in at the doorway.
Then, apparently satisfied that the occu.
pants of heapartment were settled for tht
night, she hurried down the corridor II
leave the house with the intention of going
to seek Edith Leslie.
She started and uttered an exclamation O.
surprise and alarm as near the head Of ths
stairway form spang from the shadow O.
side corridor and caught her arm.
Nan"
She regarded the form and face diml,
outlined to her vision with manifest amaze
ment.
aMr. Sherwood" she cried, in accents o
bewilderment recognizing his voice.
Yes, what about Edith, Nan? She ha
escaped?"
Escaped, and in safety" replied tn
wanderer; although her enemies beliey
her drowned"
Thank heaven" murmured Sherwood
And you, said the girl, how came yo
here?"
She glanced apprehensively in the direc
ton Of the room where Warren was, as sh
! aekod tha nI1asfinn