Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-18

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 "Dick, that girl wants to go home right away"
 Nonsense She must not leave here now"
 But she insists"
 'She cannot go. If she leaves here now it will be the means of having us pulled md ruined Not much. She will die first"
 ''She has set her mind on going, Dick. Her father was blinded in the mill to-day, and she is just dying to see him. The poor thing says she was looking for him when she fell in the river"
 "It don't make any difference; she cannot leave here now," said Dick, "or any other time, unless she is blindfolded and chloroformed, and don't know where she was We ain't sentimental fools hope, to let ourselves be betrayed by a mere girl. What would you think if the police stepped in here tomorrow and ar. rested the whole outfit? Tonight, above all other nights we must be doubly care ful, as that mechanic chap will be prow- ling about"
 This speech of Dicks chilled the ardor of Dame Dawsons sympathy and so she said:
 "I suppose you are right, Dick, but do feel ill my heart for the poor thing, and must hurry and get her n warm drink of coffee."
 "A drink?"
 "Yes."
 "Bring it to me-" said Dick, lon your way to the girls room, and lose no time, because want you to look your best to- night. We are going to have bang-up game, and expect to make strike that will enable us to get out of this rat-trap without delay. You must play your best card Quick, bring me that drink"
 Don't do anything wrong, Dick"
 "Nothing I simply mean to protect ourselves my tender-hearted chick"
 It did not take Dame Dawson many minutes to get the drink for Edith. Dick met her in the hall and took it from her hand.
 What do you think this poor girl needs most?" he asked, with Satanic grin.
 "Sleep," was the significant reply.
 And that she'll have without delay" he said, as he emptied something into Ediths coffee and stirred 1t.
 Hardened as Dame Dawson was, she trembled as she took the cup again from Dicks hand, and looked steadily in his placid face. "You arc sure you made no mistake i? |" she said.
 "None whatever; go ahead,' he an- swered, without moving muscle, and the dame went forward to give Edith q drink that might possibly plunge her in the sleep of death.
 She found Edith about to leave the room.
 "i was afraid you had quite forgotten me, and was about to go," said the girl.
 "How could forget you?" replied the dame with a show of kindness. "It took little longer to prepare the drink than I expected, but here it is, and l know it will do you good"
 Edith took the cup from her hands, never for moment suspecting any, thing wrong, and drank its contents.
 Its delightful" she said, "and thank you ever so much for your trouble. Now, think am able to go home."s
 1T would like very much to have you wait few minutes until I return," said Dame Dawson. My son wishes to see me on a little matter, and I want to tell you something before you go, my dear.t \ Edith, of course, consented to remain a few minutes; she could not do less for one who had been so kind, although her heart nched to get away, that she might ascer tain what had become of her father. Dame Dawson hastened off, and Edith seated herself iu q chair, near the stove, to await her return. Presently drowsy feeling began to take possession of her. She tried to shake it off, but found herself powerless to resist its influence. She stood up in the hope that by walking about she could keep awake, but her senses were overpowered. She made supreme effort to reach the door, so that she might call on her bene- factress for help, but her brain was in a | whirl. She saw the room spin rapidly around, and then she fell forward heav- | lily on the carpeted tloor Us if stunned | by q blow, and there the stealthy Dame Dawson found her, when she returned a minute later, deep ill the oblivion of q drugged sleep. The friendly drink had done its work. "It acted quick" said Dame Dawson, | as she glanced at the prostrate girl. "What if Dick put in an overdose?" | The dame hastened to tell that worthy | of the result of his skill, and he was much pleased. "In little time," he said, "In carry her from here, if get the opportunity, and leave her in some quiet place to wake up and find her way home." sR,It Sbn is lvipe on hpr foao ,,, <p,, floor, Dick" said the dame. "Let us lift | her into bed"
 Dick and the dame went to the room where Edith lay. They picked the drugged sleeper up carefully and placed | her in bed.
 "Any danger, Dick7" queried the 1 dame.
 "None; the sleep will do her good, by making her forget herself and her troub les for few hours."
 This was satisfactory. Dame Dawson never found fault with Dicks strategy