The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-08-16
THE
LITTLE WAIF.
A Story Of Absorbing interest,"
ey BERNARD HEReERT.
ICHAPTER II.-CoNTINUED.l

With premonition of approaching
danger upon her, Oracle fastened to
the other side of the chair knelt there,
and tried to get better view of the
sleeper's face. This sudden uncon-
seriousness seemed SO like death that it
frightened the timid child.
While she crouched i'm this position,
concealed by the high back of the
chair and the table, the easement was
stcalthily opened from the outside, and
Nicholas Garland stole into the cham
Der.
Cali goes wcllw he brcathed.
"Gabricls horn wouldn't wake her.
Now fol it'll"
With these significant words he
crossed the room on tip-toe, pausing
before Mr.. ClifTord's door.
At tho same instant Oracle raised
her head and behold the dim form
enter tho chamber of her benefactor.
She struggled to her feet with stihed
cry; but even the trifling amount of
druggcd ten which shc had taken had
done it's work.
"Who's that?" she brcathed; "a
man? Oh, no, no! Mcrciful Heaven!
what ails mo tonight? my sight is
dim; my head weighs like lead"
She totterod to the table, supporting
herself upon it.
"Come, come" she faltered, striving
desperately to rouse herself; "now is
my time; let me go to him at once, be-
The words dropped into silence From
the chamber of death sounded weak.
blood-curdling voice, crying, "Gracic!
Oracle! MY"
Oracle sprang into the middle of the
room.
"My Godl" she gasped; chat was his
voice-the voice of Mr.. Clifford"
With quick step she reached the
door; it was throw open from the inner
side, and Nicholas Garland appeared
He was CHASTITY pale, and in his hand
he clutched some papers.
In her fright, Grace recoiled behind
the door, and thus escaped the rascal's
observation. Without loss of time,
Garland sprang for the easement, but
ere he reached it, it was thrust open,
and Max Boyden appeared.
"In Gods name, what are you here
for?" painted Garland.
"I heard cries, and thought might
be of assistance" was the reply.
"Go back, quick!" hisscd Garland
"he woke up, and had to"
His long, bony fingers cramped i'll
voluntarily, thus completing the awful
picture.
Great heavcns!" exclaimed Bovlnn;
"yycn &:rangieG him?"
II don't know what / did"
"But you secured the will?"
"Yes; here it is"
"And the money!"
eyes, ycs Fly The house is aroused.
Hark!. don't you hear them coming?
For Gods sake 60, or we are lost"
Like shadows they fled. The click
of tho lock recalled Oracle to herself.
what has happened?" she brcathed
in an awcd whisper; "my father and
Mr.. Boydcn here! The, spoke of Il will
and money. Oh. Fat,Ir in heaven,
what has happcned"
And with the daZcd query trembling
upon her lips she vanished into tho
chamber.
Scarcely had she disappeared when
the door leading to the hall was burst
open, and Lawyer Edgar rushed in.
"What is the trouble hcrc?" he cXI
claimed. Seeing the nurse asleep, he
hastened to her.
"Mrs. Hanks!" he cried. "What,
asleep! Mrs. Hanks, ] say, wake up!"
and he accompanied his call with n vio-
lent shake, but started back in dismay.
"Ila! she has hcen drugged! Now,
where is the child? Oracle! Oracle
Gnrland!" he called.
There was no reply, though slight
rustic behind caused him to turn. Upon
the threshold of the room stood Oracle.
Strong man that he was, Lawyer
Edgar actually staggered at sight of
the appalling change that had swept
the beautiful face. He had left her
scarcely half an hour young, lovely
being to look upon; he now found be-
fore him pallid, haggard, wild crea-
turc whom he hardly recognized.
"What is the matter hcre?' he de-
mandCd.
"Do not ask me-" came the scarcely
audible reply.
"Spcak, command you. What has
happened?"
al cannot tell you. Go in there; sec
for yoursclf!"
CHAPTER III.
ACCUSED.
Thrlsting the girl aside, the gentle
man rushed into the chamber.
Graci" raised her hands to Heaven,
then claspcd her throbbing temples.
Good help mc!" she gaspcd; it is mU
Jdthcr who has done this awful crime"
Filial duty was again, rs always, the
foremost thought in GraCie'S mind. Her
father had committed n crime.
"They must not accuse hjm! If need
be, must sacrifice myself for him,
since ] alone know his secret. If | fly,
they will suspect met"
And suiting the action to- the words,
she dart"d wildly to the door, but as
she reached it, she found herself con
frontcd by Miss Drcd, nankcd by n
couple of slccpy-CyCd, startled servants.
Poor Oracle rccoilcd before their adj
vance, sitting a cry, and trembling from
head to foot. Hannah Drcd approach
ed imrcriously, with suspicion:
"Whcrc are you going?" she de-
mandcd.
ooh, I don't know; anywherc!" sob
bed the girl.