River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-05-02

LuOuel l1 lew lfOIl Aet 10 the EODDeEN
and back again. until sleep deserted
him and his brain grew dizzy.
Suddenly a thought flashed through
his mind, and, in the midst of the dark
room, on the walls. on the ceiling.
there appeared before him, as in let
ters of fire. remark Of Seeley's, ut
tered months before.
Some Of the clerks were discussing
the arrest of dishonest bank clerk,
and Seeley said, laughingly: ''If fell
lows viii do that kind of thing they
ought at least to show some common
sense in their method of escape. II
he had gone to some quiet seaport,
hired or bought a yacht, and sailed
quietly of. he would now be enjoying
himself in safety"
The tone. the cynical laugh. rang in
Franks ears. and it occurred to him
that Seeley would probably adopt
some such course. Twenty miles
away, on a branch line, stood North
port, yachting center, and Williams
might easily, on the previous day, have
| arranged for their flight.
Early on Sunday morning he called
on Mr.. Grub to inform him OF this
idea, which, by being dwelt upon. had
become a conviction. As Frank en-
tered the bankers study Mary left it,
her face pale and her eyes red, and
Mr. Ebenezer himself sat listlessly in
an easy chair. looking haggard.
above all. said the latter, when
jackson had finished what he went
there to say. .'silence about this
wretched affair is necessary for the
present. ! do not mind telling you
that it has occurred at rather unfOrt-
innate moment, as we shall be obliged
20 get accommodation. and to pay p
heavy price for it; and if the story of
the robbery leaks out prematurely we
may be ruined"
After a short silence. Mr.. Grubh
said:
Perhaps you would not mind run
ming over to Northport yourself and
making inquiries. | have faith in
your shrewdness. and shall give you d
letter to an old friend Of ours, a magis-
trate there. who will help you If neces-
sary. Here is some money. and re-
member. my lad, that time is of vitSl
Importance"
The trust made Frank colDr with
pride. His first hope was that fortune
might make him instrumental in saw
ing his employers from disaster; but
he may be pardoned If there also en-
tered into his mind a wish to earn a
smile from Mary. as well as her IA
theirs gratitude.
\ few inquiries among the North
port police and the loungers on the
beach satisfied him that his surmises
were correct. Some days before two
gentlemen. whose description Tailed
with that OF the runaways, bought a
small schooner-yacht from "a local
builder. The crew We're ordered TO
hold themselves in readiness, stores
were shipped and the new owners ar
rived by the last train on the previous
night They met the seller on board,
paid the purchase money and at once
sailed for months cruise, they said.
Il have an urgent message for
them" said Frank TO an old salt.
Would it be possible to get a fast
steamer here and overtake them?"
Well sir. ef zee could borry that
thur craft pointing to a small, rak-
ish-lOO1ing steamer whose brass fit
things cleaned in the morning sun.
eyes" They must "A gone south;
and herlI go nigh on to twenty knots
an hour.
Frank looked longingiy 81 the YES
sci; and upon hearing the name of the
owner his heart bounded. 1t was the
person to whom Mr.. Grubb's letter was
addressed.
Il fear yours is a wild-goose chase. -
said that gentleman. when the young
clerk had told his story and explained
his wishes. However, the Gru6bs
are dear old friends. and the Lorna
is at Your service. Come with me,
and | shall give directions to the mas
ter"
In little more than an hour the
Lorna was steamiug swiftly out of the
harbor. and Frank, standing on the
bridge beside the captain. felt almost
intoxicated as the vessels head rose
aud fell. and fresh breeze blew
across the sunlit sea, tanning his hot
brow.
There was a light nor'west wind all
night. remarked the captain; land il
we say they're eighty or ninety miles
ahead we shan't be far out | don't
suppose we'll Overtake her before
dark. the captain went on: so we'd
better take it easy, lest we might pass
EN- in the night
They left their course several times,
in order to make inquiries of passing
vessels. Some had not seen "A thirty
ton Yacht. schOoner-rigged, green be-
low the water line. and with broad
I gold strip Others thought they had,
and gave such contradictory informa.
! ton tina. it was OF no benefit.
As the sun went down. dark cloud:
arose to Windward and it became wet
! and stormy. All through the night
I the wind moancd. the waves whirled
and Missed about the LOrna's bow, and
Z fell I'm masses on her deck. and the
7 rain fell heavily at intervals. Five
pounds a man. Frank had said. iii
we overtake her, 8" He had promised
I the captain aud the policeman whom
I he had brought with him liberal gra-
/ tuities il the chase ended successfully
{ he himself was too agitated to think
Of repose. Accordingly, throughout
Y the night al were on the alert peer.
\ ing into the darkness as the vessel
7 slowly pursued zigzag course.
~ wild-goCsc chase. indeed fear
/ jackson said. sorrowfully. rs morning
broke. finding him cold. hungry and
exhausted.
Never fear. sir, replied the skip
per. Twill be hard If we don't meet
I 'em before they get out of 81. George.
/ Channel"
Al length they got positive news. \
yachts captain met the object Of theiI
pursuit an hour before, steering due
south lie could not be Mistaken; he
knew the Eulalie well. and his crew
recognized her. too. The Lorna was
4 put AT fun speed. and bounded for