The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-10-22

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planning the contents. This disarmed
my suspicious of personal violence, and
1 felt little more comfortable.
'.We will only detain y0n short
time, SIR" said the old gentleman.
This document 10 n transfer of proper
ty, and requires 60 be copied in legal
form. The young lady TO whom the
property belongs III nay niece. 1t is un-
ncssary to go into details of oar family
affairs. NV reasons Gar wishing a set.
Element in this way will appear plain
TO you when tell you that my niece in
herits insanity, and has been partially
insane at times for some months past.
This document merely makes me her
lawful guardian, and will prevent the
interference OF distant relatives who
might swiEdle the poor girl out of her
property"
Iexamined the document which he
handed me, and found il to be exactly
what he represented it
But" said ], lit will be necessary to
have the young lady's signature to this
in order to make it legaL"
"Yes, certainly" said lac; "Aliee will
sign it. She is now perfectly sane, and
is willing to have the matter arranged
at once; for she fears-poor thingl-
another attack, and is in momentary
dread of its appearance. Twill call her
when you are ready for the signature.
After half an hour 1 had completed
my work. During all this time my
mind was busy trying to unravel the
mystery of the case before me. OF one
thing L was very certain-these mem
were engaged in game of villainy.
My suspicious Were strongly aroused
by this time, and / was determined to
frustrate them, either then or in the fu-
ture, if possible; but how was to &C
complish it was rs yet mystery to me.
go and call Alice, Mr.. Peterson"
said the elder gentleman. who seemed
to be the moving spirit of the plot.
1 thought 1 saw them exchange
winks as the young man departed, but
of this was not sure, for my nerves
were strung up to high pitch of ex-
element. Presently the door opened,
and Mr.. Peterson entered with q young
girl.
As glanced at her my heart throbbed
wildly. She was of medium height,
and remarkably handsome, although
bearing the traces of sorrow and suffer-
ing. l could not help feeling that her
eyes, rs they looked into mine, APP
pealed to me for protection. Her man
ner and silence also betokened GER
tain amount of fear lest her guardian
should notice her look of entreaty to-
ward me. "Alice," said the man who
called himself her uncle. "you already
know the contents of this document.
Your signature is all that is needed"
She looked around the room in a be-
wildered manner, and then took up
pen and nervously wrote her name at
the bottom of the page.
Now is my time" l thought, and,
taking the paper to see if it was signed
properly, before any one was aware of
my intention. put the document in my
pocket and drew my revolver. Turn
ing upon the terror-stricken men, who
were thus taken by surprise and at
disadvantage, told them / had di-
vincd the falsity of their purpose in
this transaction, and would free the
young lady from her gaolers.
''Oh, save me! save mer' cried Alice,
IN agony of terror. at is all base
plot of these two unprincipled wretches
to defraud me out of my property. They
have threatened to kill me if refuse TO
assign it into their hands,"
Its lie! it's lie!'' they both shout
ed, simultaneously. "You will have TO
answer for this outraged
'Be calm, gentlemen" said !, now
doubly emboldened by seeing that l
had guessed the truth of the case. eff |
you move hand or foot l will blow you
where you long since should have been!
Fly for your life, Alice" I said, "and l |
will protect you from these scoun-
drels."
She rushed toward the door and
opened it, then fled from the house.
l covered my retreat as l walked |
backward until reached the door; and |
as / closed it with a loud bang, felt |
like one transported to Paradise, for l |
knew that they dare not follow me to
the street.
Alice, undetermined girl, was waiting
for me on the pavement, and we were
soon beyond the possibility of annoy
ance from the scoundrcls whom we had |
left in the house.
As we walked along the streets Alice
uetalleu 10 me the whole story OF her |
wrongs. From what she told me it was |
evident that her life would have hung
upon a thread if these men had been |
successful in getting her to assign her
She was an orphan, and her
uncle, together with his accomplish,
had concocted the plot to defraud her
and get her out of the way.
Alice Hilgrove regained her liberty
and her fortune. She is now my wife,
and, l have every reason to suppose, one
of the happiest women in the world, be-
cause she has told me so thousand
times within the last ten years.
All efforts to capture the two men
who caused Alice so much misery
proved useless. They escaped from the
city; but it is to be hoped they will
meet with the punishment which is due
to their evil deeds.