Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-01-25
DARK DEEDS.
BY HENRY w. NEsFIELp.
CHAPTER Nv CONTINUED


is in the kitchen He come IN the back
way. and e looks so Ill. + say he wants
to speak to you. anc please not tell mas
ter.
Mr.. Delaney ] wonder what's the
natter" and Mrs Atwood's heart beat
quickly as she fastened down The stairs
John Delaney was sitting near the
kitchen table. His head rested on his
hands. and he looked the very picture OF
misery.
AS Mrs. Atwood entere he looked up
and she gave ut;erance 10 ahait-suppressed
ream as she noticed the haggard, worn
expression OF his face.
''Can speak 10 you alone?" he muir.
INJURED nervous y,
ayes. Iii aOeth, Just remain outside
few moments. have something private
l wish 10 sag TO MI Delaney"
Elizabeth retired into the passage with
a guilty conscience-anc sat upon the bot
to N stair.
'What In the name OF good
ness vii thai Reuben hear that
'Lizbeth 'Awkns diGct ought to-" she
thought as she rocked herself 10 and fro
in her distress. ''Gh, il this ain I dis
graceful position cot a female 10 be in.
should like 10 know what Is. It's be-
trayin' Of "a trust. that's wot 1t is!' And.
hiding her face in her apron, she took
refuge i'm what she considered TO be a
remedy for all ils-a good cry
Meanwhile Mrs. Atwood had seated
herself near John Delaney, fully prepared
t. hear some dreadful news.
II must leave ngland at once, y he be-
gan. came here TO ask YOU to look
after my mother and sister when | am
far away. | could not have said goodbye
to them. even il it had been poss bic for
me to do so. Tell them | am very very
sorry-quite broken hearted-quite-at
not being able to see them before leave.
Say"
''But why must you go. Jack? Why?'
81 cannot dare not tell you. | must
60 and at once. | must leave London by
this nights mail"
Have you sufficient money! asked
Mrs. Atwood forbearing to press him as
to the reason of his sudden departure.
"Yes-that is, Just sufficient, think,
TO take me away"
:. tay! ] do not ask you to tell me
anything In fact, would rather that
and Mary. they shall be to me as my own
mother and my sister Will that suffice!
You belle e my word, Jack, when | say
so?"
''Ileaven LESS you, Mrs. Atwood
cried Delaney. "YOu ha { given me the
one bright spark of hope to tighten ~ M
darkened life. | know when you say sc
that they will have a true kind friend tC
comfort them. AS to money my mothe!
h as sufficient to keep them both from want
IL ever 1 have the power to send them
help. | will: you know that"
81 am sure you will, Jack. Whatever
YOUR faults may be. want OF affection iOI
your mother and sister is not one of them. y
For them?' he easped. "Ay. and for
-" But he left the remainder OF his
sentence unfinished.
Listen You say you must cave Len
don by to-nights mail. Ii Is now ten
O'Clock. You have nearly two hours YET
to reach the station from which you intend
to 60. Remain here moment"
Mrs. Atwood left the kitchen, but re
turned in few minutes.
Now, you must not 60 quite empty
handed. Take this" she SAID, hardiEc
him q small packet. There are nftee j
sovereigns In 1t 1t is all my own. Take
itn'
1t was the money which she had re.
eeived that morning ,or. the triGkets sAs
had soid-the mone5 with which she had
hoped 10 stave oil some of theiI em0arrass-
ments.
NO. cannot take IT," cried johS De
fancy. bursting into the tears. 81 know
TOO we'll what IL is &c you.
Jack" she said. a, IL addressing
naughty child. take II AT once and ION
be foolish. You can repay me by and
bye"
II will them" re replied, looking earn
estly into her tace. and IL Heaven per
mits me ] will repay you hundred fold
not the money only. but the generous deec
as we'll"
Now be OF. This way. What Is tina
they are shouting in the streetp" she ga d
suddenly stopping as she wa; about e
open the door. ''Oh. /, Is only the news
boys"
''Newspapers?" echoed Jack.
Gradually the hoarse cries becam,
more and more distinct Standing motion
less. as n attracted py the sounds, they
listened. gazing into one anothers eyes.
The shouts came nearer and nearer. TIL,
Precipitation stood out in beads upon JACK
forehead. and his heart almost stopped
beating as he listened 10 the words
dynamite explosion" "Awfu. iyra-
mite explosion"
BY degrees the voices faded away. anC
all was again still.
Neither Of them had spoken for som,
minutes. Presently Mrs Atwood broke
the silence.
lis it's IL that, Jack?"
lie made no answer, but slowly inclined
his head.
Goodbye, Jack-gooi-bye," she whis
pered: land may Heaven In mercy for
give you.
Raising her hands to his lips, he kissed
them passionately: then. with a sob, h,
hurried out into the darkness.
suddenly the front-door was thrown
open. and a blaze OF light streamed dowr
the garden path, along which Delaney
walked.
Good night, then. Atwood, F" cried
Cnptaia Sturgis. All look you up again
shortly. Hallo-why, there's Delaney
What are YOU doing. my Young Socalis :,
providing about at this time Of night"
''He came with a message from hi
mother" interposed Mrs. Atwood, wht
was standing at the kitchen door.