The Republican., 1889-04-20

tion. and associates herself with him in the
most mysterious fashion. 1t is terriblep'
| Mrs. Malcolm's only answer was to twist
her hands together and cry softly.
"I'd cry myself" Jessie went on; ''but /
have to save my eyes for night work For ]
VOW, all the sleeping do shall be done in
daytime, until this house has been robbed
or Ellwood has been captured-with his
accomplices."
Miss Jessie's vigils began that same night.
She sat through the dark hours in her own
room, wide awake and alert, and with q
stout club at command. About two o'clock
in the morning she heard a slight sound un-
der her window. Somebody was apparently
| trying the side door. This door opened into
q passage which connected with the main
hall and stairway, and also by an inner
door with the dining-room.
| Jessie Malcolm hurried noiselessly TO Mr..
| Fletcher's room and softly tapped on the
door. There was instant response. The
lawyer had been keeping vigil also, and
stood before her, fully dressed and ready
for prompt action.
"Ellwood is down stairs" whispered Jes-
sic.
II thought he would come tonight, be.
cause he would suppose nobody expected
him here after last nights performance" !"
said Mr.. Fletcher; and without further loss
of time the two went cautiously down stairs
to welcome the untimely guest Jes$e pos
lively refusing to,stay back. ~
The hall-lamp Had beerAleft diH q :
| ing, as usual, and by its li9h Fthey Guild Zee
| that as yet there was nobody in fhe hail.
Peering past the angle at the febt of the
stairs, they saw that the side passage also
was empty With great care Mf Fletcher
| opened the main door of the dining-room,
| intending to enter there, set the side door
| of the room ajar, and through the narrow
opening watch for the entrance of the bur-
glar into the passage. Then, by means of q
bell-wire which ran through pretty nearly
every room in the house, he would arouse
the men-servants, and, AS was hoped, trap
| the intruder.
AS the door moved on its hinges, Jessie
seized her companion's arm in alarmed
amazcment. A dim light was burning in
the dining-roSm, where there should be
utter darkness. Another look showed that
the room was already occupied. Two per-
sons were standing together, close by the
side door; one of them was a woman, and
| that woman was Grace Gardiner. So, she
had expected the visit of her accomplice,
and had already admitted him! 1t was a
blessed thing that Mrs. Malcolm was spared
this sight, thought Mrs. Malcolm daughter
| AS the thought took form Mrs. Malcolm
stole silently up beside the watchers. She
had heard their footsteps pass her door, and
had fearlessly followed them. When she
saw Grace, she claspcd her hands and raised
her eyes in a manner pititul to see.
But that was no gray-haired old man
| standing beside Miss Gardiner. 1t was a
| decidedly handsome young man; and he had
his arm around her, while she seemed
greatly agitated and in need of such sup
port. Sorely now did Jessie repent having
kept watch this night for the young man
beside Grace Gardiner was George Fletcher;
and she had brought his father to see this
dreadful revelation! She dared not look at
| the father, and the father made no sign. No
need for sign or words. They could all see
now why this degenerate son took no inter
est in the capture of Ellwood. While ELL
wood was free and at work, this young
criminal could do his own guilty work un-
| suspected. ay
These recognitions had not occupied a
moment of time and now there was -
further developnsent.' The side doh Ae
dining-room had been placed slightly aSar
and it was very cautiously pushed open. 1t
swung inward, and as it opened, Grace and
young Fletcher were behind it. A mans
| head was thrust through the opening, aud
then tho man himselfstapped into the room.
The dim light showed them that he was tall
and well-formed, and had the bearing of a
gentleman. in spite of the business he was
in. His hair was white, and his face was
| handsome. Yes; this was undoubtedly
| Ellwood. So there were three confederates
| AS Ellwood appeared in the room, Grace
| stepped quickly forward and stood in front
of him, straight, fearless and silent. All at
once Jessie knew that this girl was not an
| accomplice, but an accuser, and pang of
remorse smote her heart. The man started
slightly, but seemed less surprised than
| might have been expected.
Il thought you would let me alone after
what gave you last night" he said, in a
low voice, pointing to her injured hand.
How ca's let you alone! l have given
you two chances within the week to escape
without adding to your guilt; why did you
not take them, and go where you could be
an honest man!'
because, he replied, with slight laugh,
81 want to get something to be honest with.
Now, you know, Grace, Pm too fond of you
to hurt you if l can help it; but I've given
up two Jobs to please you, and Pm going 10
! finish this one"
You will not finish It," said Grace, still
in the same low tones, but, at the same
time, with terrible intensity. "You know
how have watched over you and guarded
you from arrest ever since you made your
escape. | gave up my work, and sacrificed
the first real peace have known since
first learned what you were, that might
try to keep you from fresh crimes. But
told you last night that if you came here
to the house of my friends-I would send
you back to prison; and unless you leave
here this Instant and promise never to re-
turn, I'll keep my word"
"You will!" said the man, putting bis
hand behind him. I've had enough of this !
Now" 81
Before he could speak the next word, or
withdraw his hand, blow from George
Fletcher's fist had sent Ellwood headlong 10
the loor and the young mans hand, on his
throat, was holding him down. AT the
same instant the elder Mr.. Fletcher, with
the bound of an athlete, was beside tho
PROSTATE burglar, a cooked revolver in has
hand. Mrs. Malcolm and Jessie ran after
him, screaming, and Grace threw herself
upon her knees at Ellwood's side, ans put
her arms about him.
20, father" she cried, "forgive ne! II
breaks my heart; but what could doe"
''pon't distress yourself. my dear girl
I'll hU<e to be honest now, you know" said