Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1885-11-21
A Family Affair.
BY HUGH CONWAY,
Author Of called Back" Etc Etc

'You nag, . cried lIeryey; ''you would lie
to her,
Il would do more than lie for her sake, y
said Mrs. Miller. "WilI YOU take the money?''
He shrugged his shoulders Needs must
when the devil drives" he said airily. "Yes,
Sarah, l can't help myself, Imust close with
the generous offer. Now tell me where to
find my devoted wife, so that / may convey
the news of my submission"
You will take itT' said Sarah brcathIess-
ly.
"Have not said l mllst?''
''Thank Godw As she spoke she cIasped
her hands and munnured words Of thanks.
Hervey watched her with curious look on
his face She saw 1t and it startled her.
"You will sign papers?" she said.
"Oh, yes; iii sign anything. Now tell me
where to find her."
mo, no. You cannot see her. She will
get everything done The lawyer viii get
the papers ready, and when you have signed
them the money will be paid"
"Very WELL" said Hervey carelessly.
There's nothing more to say then"
The readiness with which he aceeded to
her stipulations reused Mrs. Miller's distrust.
DO you mean to play me false?" she asked.
will you swear on the Bible to keep your
prOmise?"
Certainly will, but am afraid there's
no Bible in this house to swear on. A sad
state of things which shall be rectified before
you come again."
Mrs. Miller made no reply 10 his jeering
words. She opened small bag which she
carried and drew out a well-thumbed, worn
Bible. Heyey smiled his contempt
'Place your finger between the leaves"
she said s0lemnly, then kiss the sacred book
and swear, so help yohs God You will keep
your promise"
1T must be left-handed oath" he said as
he Obeyed her. She clasped her hand over
his, and when with sneef ON his lips he had
taken the prescribed gath, she opened the
book and marked the verse on which his fin
gers had at random been placed. Read"
she said, 'and be warned" HeIyey read
"God shall likewise destroy thee for ever"
Without another word she closed the book
and left the room. AS the door closed Her
vey laughed scornful laugh He waited uIl-
til she must have reached tue street. then ran
swiftly down the stairs. The lower part of
the house was used as kind of mGlrine-store,
and in the shop were two lads of about seven
teen. He called one of them.
"A lady dressed in Hack just went out.
Follow her and find out where she goes and
III give you sovereign
The boy, who knew something about the
state of the lOdger's finances, looked amused,
but did not bulge. Make haste, you fool,n
cried Heryey. Heres the money waiting
see itr'
Ihe sight OF real tangible sovereign sent
the lad oil in double-quick time, and utterly
unsuspeeting evil Beatlice's ambassador was
cleverly tracked to her temporary abode.
Meanwhile Heryey returned to his garret
IN joyful frame of mind. However matters
might turn out. a comfortable change in his
circumstances had taken place. The worst
that could happen would insure hin COM
Portable income, but, so far as he could ar
range it, he meant to avoid the worst. He
meant to find Beatrice, and by the power he \
held over her, force her to surrender to him
all save bare pittance. Let her only be once
more within his grasp and he would take
care that she escaped no more He ground
his teeth as he thought what he had already
paid for an act of careIessness. The chance
OF repairing it was at last within reach He
positively gloated as he pictured the horror
with which his wife would greet him when
he again invaded her retreat. He laughed in
glee at the paternal right which furnished
weapon SO sharp to smits so irresistible to
compel her to yield to demands Yes,
money and revenge werabnce more within
Hisspy returned in duo course. He had
earned his sovereign, for IL was able to give
HeIyey the name of the street and the num-
Der of the house to which Sarah Miller had
gone. Heryey laughed again He dressed
himself, visited dle barbeFs and then went
to keep watch on Sarah's abode
He watched until nightfalI. Early dawn
found him once more at post Noon and
evening he was still there, and evening
brought him the reward of his patience. A |
cab drove up to the door, a box was placed |
upon it, and a dark-robed figure entered it.
The door was shut and away rolled the cab. |
1t was scarcely out of sight when Heryey |
rang the bell of the house and asked if Mrs.
Miller was in. No, she had just left All,
that was unlucky; he wanted to see her on
important business Where could he find
her?
1Oull nave long Wayt0 go unless you /
can overtalSe her, said the woman Of the
house, laughing. "She's just off to foreign
parts
rGoing abroad Where is she going?v
All the way to Munich, wherever that /
may be-"
His heart leapt Atany rate now he knew
where to find his quarry. AIunichEn he ex-
claimed. II must try and 0yertake her before
she goes What station is itp
'Charing Cross. Iheard her tell the man.
He bid his informant adieu with scantcere-
nony. He hailed the first CAB he saw, and
was soon rattling in pursuit.of Sarah Al
though he did not know at what time the
rain started, he was quite at ease as to catch
ng it. lie knew the grace which a woman
always allows herself in the matter Of trains.
He had judged rightly, for the first thing he
Jaw upon entering the station was Mrs. Mil
Ter at the Office engaged in registering her
box He ventured to creep close to her, and
heard her with the incredulity which wo-
man Invariably displays when she suIrenders
personal custody Of her luggage. twice inform