The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-02-05

have been convicted of burglary.
lie was not aware of all his trouble,
however He had not noticed the
veiled form that had followed him into
the station, nor had his excited and
confused faculties taken any note of
the fact that the same form sprang
lightly into Il cab which drove off rap
idly after the carriage which contained
him and Florence. When the latter
was pulled up in front of an hotel the
cab also stopped at Il little distance,
but the yelled lady did not get out She
leaned forward to the window, mutter-
ing:
Il knew there was something of the
sort. Oh, Frank, Frank! How could
you?"
And then the driver of the cab re-
ceived fresh orders, and drove rapidly
away.
Florence had only gone into the no
tel to gather her somewhat scattered
senses after listening to the news i'm
parted by Frank, and on the whole she
had sustained the shock much better
than he had expected. In q few mo-
ments-for, with all her nervousness,
she was brave and devoted wife
Florence declared herself ready.
Il must stop at my office for mo-
ment,n said Frank.
'Oh, but am in such a hurryI' said
Florence
But it is only to leave a law paper
with my partner. He has been at court
all day and l have not seen him.
Franks office was in very busy
part of the city, and both he and Flor
ence had their heads too full of excit-
ing thoughts to notice any particular
member of the hurrying throngs upon
the pavement. Still, as the carriage
pulled up at the curb, Frank remarked:
Good! l won't have to 90 upstairs;
there's my partner now. Brown! Eth,
Brownr'
The gentleman thus addressed had
been standing on the edge of the pave
ment as if waiting for someone, and
now came forward with a remarkable
beaming expression of countenance.
Frank, my boy, it's all right
whats all right?n
'Why, that Harry Taylor case"
Frank Hatfield had to catch his
breath for Il moment, but stammered:
'tH-h-how?"
''Why, there was a whole batch sent
up this morning, and one of them
confessed to putting the pocket-hook
in Harry's pocket"
well, what did you do?'
''Oh, the magistrate let him right out
at once, and I've got him upstairs in
the Office
A gloved hand was on Franks shoul-
der, and a trembling voice was trying
to ask him:
Frank, Frank, isn't that Walter
Yes, it's Walter" said Frank Hat
field; but he was sorry enough the
next minute as he sat in the corner of
the carriage trying to recall the color
to the white and beautiful face of Flor
ence, for she had tainted.
As for Brown, he had cOmprehended
the situation well enough to dash up
stairs, and by the time Florence had
recovered her senses she was in more
tender hands than those of half-fright-
ened Frank Hatfield.
And now the carriage was being
whirled away up town, for Frank was
urged by something even stronger than
hospitality in his eagerness to reach
his cloudod home. He could have no
patience with either horse or driver,
especially us Florence and Walter
looked SO provokingly loving and hap
py.
Home was reached at last, however.
and the somewhat irate driver reined
in his smoking horse in front of the
house. Frank sprang to the ground,
and never dreamed of aiding Walter;
but Florence by this time was well able
to help herself.
1t was not very late when they en-
tered the house, and Franks latchkey
dispensed with bell-ringing and serv-
ants.
''Wait moment in the parlor," said
Frank. while 1 call Mabel"
And so saying, but with big weight
upon his heart, Frank pushed onward
toward the sitting-room. As he threw
Ipen the door before him, however, he
was suddenly confronted by a lady in
full travelling costume, and glance
beyond showed him marvellous dis
array of trunks and traveling-bags.
Mabel, my dear"
A gloved hand held out to him a
small white envelope, while husky
and trembling voice said:
Goodbye, Frank"
''Mabel-"
'Isn't that Walters voice? Oh,
Walter, are you here?'
Yes, Mabel; here I am safe and
sound
"Oh, Walter take me away-take me
home to mother's.ns
But Mabel, what is the matter?
Frank has. been just the best old fell
iow-'
''Walter, there she is; saw her at
the railway-station- very same wo-
man; and now he's brought her here!
Walter, what does it mean?''
MEAN! Why, Mabel-come, Flor
ence-Mabel, this is my wife, your sis
ter, Florence. I've been in trouble,
and Frank has helped me through, like
a trump that he is; and you are mad,
when you have got the best fellow in
the world for hus-''
Mabel gave one look at her brother,
another into the wistful face of her
new sister; but she caught glance of
the keen suffering in the trembling lips
SDfl nd ~ l.