The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-08-16
THE
LITTLE W WAIP.
A Story Of Absorbing interest,"
sy BERNARD HEReERr.
ICHApTER II.-conrrHuKp.I

the other side of the chair, knelt there,
and tried to get better view of the
sleeper's face. This sudden uncon.
sciousne3s seemed SO like death that it
frightened the timid child.
While she crouched in this position,
concealed by the high back of tho
chair and the table, the easement was
stealthily opened from the outside, and
Nicholas Garland stole into the cham
ber.
Cali goes welll" he brcathed.
@Gabriels horn wouldn't wake her.
Now fol it'll"
With these significant words he
crossed the room on tip-toe, pausing
before Mr.. Clifford's door.
At the same instant Oracle raised
her head and beheld the dim form
enter tho chamber of her benefactor.
She struggled to her feet with stified
cry; but even the trifiing amount of
drugged tea which she had taken had
done it's work.
"Who's that2" she breathed; "a
man? Oh, no, mol Mcrciful Heaven! |!
what ails me to-nightp my sight is
dim; my head weighs like lead"
She tottered to the table, supporting
herself upon it.
"Come, come" she faltered, striving
desperately to rouse herself; "now il
my time; let me go tc him at oncc, be-
fore-"
The words dropped into silence. From
the chamber of death sounded a weak.
biood-curd'ing voice, crying, "Gracic! /!
Oracle! my" 4
Oracle sprang into the middle of til
room.
"My Godl" she gasped; "that was hi
voice-the voice of Mr.. Cliffordi"
With quick step she reached the
door; it was throw open from the inner
side, and Nicholas Garland appeared.
He was CHASTITY pale, and in his hand
he clutched some papers.
In her fright, Grace recoiled behind
the door, and thus escaped the rascal's
observation. Without loss of time,
Garland sprang for the easement, but
ere he reached it, it was thrust open,
and Max Boyden appeared.
I'm Gods name, what are you hero
for?" painted Garland.
II heard cries, and thought might
be of assistance" was the reply.
Go back, quiektr Kissed Garland; !;
"he woke up, and had to"
His long, bony fingers cramped in
voluntarily, thus completing the awful
picture.
"Great heavens" |" exclaimed Boydcn:
"you strangled him?"
at dent know what did"
"But you secured the will?"
"Yes; here it is"
And the money!"
eyes, yesl Flyl The house is aroused.
Harkl don't you hear them coming
For Gods sake go, or we are lost"
Like shadows they fled. The click
of the lock recalled Oracle to herself.
"What has happenedP" she brcathed
in an awed whisper; "my father and
Mr.. Boyden herei They spoke of will
and money. Oh. Father in heaven,
what has happened!"
And with the dazed query trembling
upon her lips she vanished into tho
chamber.
Scarcely had she disappeared when
tho door leading to the hall was burst
open, and Lawyer Edgar rushed in.
What is the trouble here?" he ex,.
claimed. Seeing the nurse asleep, he
hastened to her.
"Mrs. Hanksp he cried. "What,
asleepl Mrs. Hanks, say, wake up!"
and he accompanied his call with VIC!
lent shake, but started back in tiismay.
"Ha! she has been drugged! Now,
where is the child? Oracle! Oracle
Garland! !" he called.
There was no reply, though slight
rustic behind caused him to turn. Upon
the threshold of the room stood Oracle.
Strong man that he was, Lawyer
Edgar actually staggered at sight of
the appalling change that had swept
the beautiful face. He had left her
scarcely half an hour young, lovely
being to look upon; he now found be-
fore him pallid, haggard, wild crea-
ture whom he hardly recognized.
"What is the matter here?" he de-
mandcd,
edo not ask me-" came the scarcely
audible reply.
Speak, / command you. What has
haPpened9"
for yourselfw
CHAPTER III.
ACCUSED.
Thrusting the girl aside, the gentle
man rushed into the chamber.
Oracle raised her hands TO Heaven,
then clasped her throbbing temples.
"God help me" she gasped; it is mn
father who has done this awful crime!"
Filial duty was again, as always, the
foremost thought in Gracie's mind. Her
father had committed crime.
They must not accuse himi If need
be, must sacrifice myself for him,
since / alone know his secret. If fly,
they will suspect mel"
And stIiting the action to the words,
she darted wildly to the door, but as
she reached it, she found herself con-
fronted by Miss Dred, Aanked by q
couple of sleepy-eyed, startled servants.
Poor Oracle recoilcd before their ad-
vance, stifiinga q cry, and trembling from
hend to foot. Hannah Dred approach
cd imperiously, with suspicion:
Where are You going?" she de-
manded.
"Oh, I don't know; anywherep Sob
bed the girl.
aAnvwharot 10 och.oJ AZ.