The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-10-25

"What il WASP"
"What do you wantP"
Money"
Had there been light enough where
they stood the ruffian might have seen
her dark eyes scintillate beneath the
protecting veil as n sudden, desperate
plan was suggested to her mind by that
single but significant word-money.
"Money?" she echoed daringly; "you
want money? Do You suppose to rob
on the highway to get it?"
"I'm bound to get it somehow, +" came
the sullen response; "if you've got any
about you, fork over and I'll let you
go, for you're the p!nck;est piece cf
calico I've seen for many day"
II have just twenty dollars in this
purse" the woman said, tapping the
invisible receptacle between her hands
as she spoke, "and have eighty else
where, which will make hundred for
you il You will agree to do job for
me-"
The fellow gave vent to o low,
amused laugh.
You're all artful one, you are!" he
exclaimed; you want to give me the
twenty now, and when come for the
eighty you'll have me nabbcd for a
sucker! Oh, no, my dear! l amt no
professional rounder, 1 amt! I'm
painter by trade, but we're on strike,
and I've got kind O. OFF my nut l owe
money in the tavern here, and I'm
goin' to get it out of the rich folks as
owes it to me, for which takes you
for one from your dress"
Skillfully avoiding this dangerous
point. Cora replied
Take this money; it is better than
nothing, and will probably pay your
dues. If you doubt me, you need not
como for the remaining eighty, though
if you do simple thing for mo, will
give you good security"
! "Well, what's your job?"
"Do you live about here?'
"No; came from Providence; got
rs far as this tonight on my way to
Boston, looking for work. Well, what's
your lay?"
Gould you secrete a child from now
until tomorrow night?"
II don't know. Yes, guess could"
"Where?"
"Oh, somewhere about tho tavern !;
perhaps in the barn"
Very we'll. Here arc twenty dol
lars. Meet me at this spot within an
hour, and I'll bring the child. Oh,
yoHrJeffa lsesdes,f fffS tic f cGftistt Gtitt; Is ,T mT
own. only want to got her away from
the people who have stolen her from
me-"
"All right! Go ahead; you'll find
me here"
Thus assured, tho woman hurried
away along the lonesome road, leaving
the man lingering the bapk-bills. and
staring after her with n grin of vicious
wonder upon his hardened features.
Meanwhile NIL was quiet and peace
| ful in and around the humble farm
house where the principal personages
OF our narrative had taken lodging In
her chamber upon the second floor sat
little Oracle, fast asleep in her chair,
from the exhaustion of that eventfui
day, with the photograph of her beau
tiful mother pressed upon her bosom
beneath her clasped hands. Though it
was close upon ten o'clock she had not
thought to retire for the night, since
Lawyer Edgar, upon his return from
his call at Black Pond House, had in
formed her that it was necessary for
him to go at once into the city upon
important business, but that he should
return in time to bid her goodnight.
The gentleman had held news
paper, and seemed unusually excited,
but there was no time for explanations,
as he had to catch train.
So she set waiting, and had fallen
asleep. Upon the first floor of the
house, in chamber, tho windows of
which opened upon the star-lit orchard,
slept little Stella, the dim light of the
night-lamp catching the gleam of her
golden hair, where it lay like a web of
spun metal spread out upon her pillow.
Old Jean had not returned from his
stroll, and the good housewife sat
knitting in the kitchen, awaiting the
return of her husband, who had driven
to the station to meet Mr.. Edgar.
A soft night-breeZe stirred the bouchs
OF the great elms that shaded the farm
house; but for that, all was peace and
silence.
Suddenly, the sound of q vehicle far
up the road disturbed the quiet of the
night. The housewife laid aside her knit
ting, and, going into the parlor, turned
up the lamp until it burned brightly.
AS she did so, she noticed that the
>sooh AOoiIhS ouo luto llle RHTu0n nunQ
open, and wondered that the breeze
had been 80 strong, when she distinctly
remembered having securely latched it.
She did not close the door, however.
as the vehicle had stopped at the gate,
and she saw Mr.. Edgar fastening up
the garden path.
He came in, removed his hat, and
glanced into the unoccupied parlor.
Words of disappointment were ready
upon his lips that Oracle had retired,
when she appeared upon the stairs.
Mr.. Edgar took her hand in his as
she gained his side, and led her into
the parlor, closing the door behind
them.
You have news for mel" she ex-
claimed, with woman's instinct. as
she noticed the unusual excitement de-
picted upon his face.
"Yes, news for you," replied the
lawyer. "Sit down. Are you able to
hear anything may have to tell
your"
"Yes," she said; "but, oh, Mr.. Ed
gar, hope il is not too hard tn bearIn