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

amt no law against it, 1 s'poseP"
"You were following mep
"What if WASP"
"What do you want2"
Money"
Had there been light enough where
they stood the ruffian might have seen
her dark eyes scintillate beneath the
protecting veil as 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 pluckiest piece of
calico I've seen for many day"
"I have just twenty dollars in this
purse" the woman said, tapping the
invisible receptacle between her hands
as she spoke, land l have eighty else
where, which will make hundred for
you if you will agree to do job for
me-"
The fellow gave vent to low,
amused laugh.
"You're all artful one, YOU arc" he
exclaimed; "you want to give me the
twenty now, and when 1 come for the
eighty you'll have me nabhcd for
sucker! Oh, no, my dear! 1 amt no
Professional rounder, amt! I'm
painter by trade, but we're on strike,
and I've got kind O. of my nut. l owe
money in the tavern here, and I'm
goin' to get it out of the rich folks az
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 youI
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; l came from Providence; got
rs far as this tonight on my way to
Boston, looking for work. Well, what's
your lay?"
"Could you sccrcte a child from now
until tomorrow night?"
II don't know. Yes, guess couldw
"Where?"
ooh, somewhere about tho tavern;
perhaps in the barn"
Very we'll. Here are twenty dol
lars. Meet me Mt this spot within an
hour, and I'll bring the child. Oh,
yotirseffd iBesides,f ftY tic t tcGfitt Gfitti" is it 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"
rrb,, ,,,u,o1 A., ., ,.
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 all was quiet and peace
ful in and around the humble farm
house where the principal pcrsonagcs
OF our narrative had taken lodging. In
her chamber upon the second floor sat
little Oracle, fast asleep i'll her chair,
from the exhaustion of that cventful
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 ut Black Pond House, had in
formed her that it was necessary for
him to go mt once into the city upon
important business, but that lie should
return in time to bid her goodnight.
Tho gentleman had held news
paper, and seemed unusually excited,
but there was no time for explanations,
as he had to catch train.
SO she sat 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 glcam of her
golden hair, where it lay like 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.
soft night-breeZe stirred the boughs
of the great clms that shaded the farm
house; but for that, all was peace and
silence.
Suddenly, the sound of 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
door leading out into the garden hung
open, and wondered that the breeze
had been so 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 Gracic had retired,
when she appeared upon the stairs.
MIR. Edgar took her hand in his az
she gained his side and led her into
the parlor, closing the door behind
them.
You have news for me!" she cx-
claimed, with woman's instinct, as
she noticed the unusual excitement de-
pictcd upon his face.
"lcs, news for you," replied the
lawyer. "Sit down. Arc you able to