The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-04-13

4 and leave us. He mas done wrong; but
let him go. 1t must be some awful mis-
take -some
Mol Never neveri new
The word died away on his lips, for on
( the instant there was 4 loud ring at the
hall door. They all listened in silence.
Again the importunate bell pealed
| through the echoing house
1t is some one in distress, said Ell
mer. John, do YOU take light and go
to the door. Ask what is wanted before
you loose the chain, and tell them to go
away unless it is a case OF life or denth. =
John presently returned and in an ex-
cited whisper said:
Sits Mr. Jones, the sheriff y
At this word Mr.. Bedford struggled
with his bonds, and in broken voice he
cried;
ssOh, Mr.. Denny, spare mel Let me not
be arrested. will restore everyi'--
ssSilence, sirl'' said Elmer. Not a word
till you are spoken to. What does he
want, Johnsf
!" He says he must see Mr. Denny. It's
very important-and oh, sir, he's almost
beside himself, and Wouldn't let him in. .
s'Call him in at once, said Mr. Denny.
1T is most fortunate arrival Thesyery
man we want =
John returned to the hall, and in a mo-
ment an old man, gray haired and
wrinkled, but still vigorous and strong,
stood before them. He seemed a giant in
his huge great coat and when he removed
his hat his massive head and thick neck
seemed almost leonine.
"Ahl Mr. Sheriff, you have arrived at a
most opportune moment. We were just
awakened from our beds by this robber.
We captured him and we have him here. y
beg pardon, sir. Sorry to hear it, but
'twere another Grant that brought me
here. The widow GREEN'S daughter, Alice,
she that was missing. has been found in
the mill race--dead.' -
They ali gave expression to undis-
guised establishment, and the prisoner in
the chair groaned heavily.
And | have come for the key Of the
boat house, sir, that we may go for the
body, sir.
''How horriblel When did all this hap
penn
once''
eCertainly-certainly, Mr.. Sheriff. But
this man-cannot you secure him for the
night2'
.aOh, ay. But the child, sir. The boys
wants your boat to 10 for herr
"Poor, poor Alicer' cried Alma, wiring
ing her hands.
'sJohn, y said Elmer. "get the key for
Mr.. Jones. Jake, you and your father
can go with the men, and, Mr.
Jones, perhaps you had better wait
with us, for we have a little matter Of i'm
portance to settle, and we need YOU
"Now, said Mr.. Franklin, 81 have one
or two questions / wish to ask the man,
and then, Mr.. Jones, you viii do us a
favor If you will take him away
Lawrence Bedford, as you value your
soul. where did you obtain that willg''
If a bolt from the storm overhead had
entered the room it could not have pro-
6uce6 more startling impression than
did this simple question Mr.. Denny
dropped his crutch and raised both hands
in establishment. Alma gave half sup
pressed scream, and even the sheriff and
John were amazed beyond expression,
The man in the chair made no reply,
and presently the breathless silence was
broken by the calm voice Of the young
man repeating his question.
u found it in the leaves of book In the
old bookcase in the mill ofiice. y
''Whatf' cried Mr., Denny, leaning for
ward and steadying himself by the table,
My fathers Will Did you find it2 Re-
lease him, John. How can we ever thank
you, Mr.. Bedford? 1t is the missing
will''---
"Oh, Lawrencep' said Alma. ''Why
did you not tell us? why did you not
show it? How much trouble it would
have saved -
Have patience, Alma. Let Mr.. Bel
ford rise and bring the will. y
ffNTo co;7 Lteaxx1rls.x ffTy.o- A..
rest of the story. Mr.. Bedford, you de-
stroyed or suppressed that win, did you
nots''
Yes, did-damn YOUR
ssGood Lordr' cried the sheriff. "Did
ye hear thata-destroyed It'll That's states
prison.
ssoh, Mr.. Franklin, Mr.. Denny have
mercy on mel Do not let them arrest
me.n
'.Marcyr' said the sheriff, taking out
pair of handouts. sIt's little marcy yen
gt.n
you ask for mercyr, cried Mr.. Denny,
his face hvid with passion. 'sYou
you wretch Have you not ruined meS
Have you not made my child a beggar
and carried my gray hairs in sorrow to the
graveS You knew the value of this will
and you destroyed It'll Your other crimes
are as nothing to this. / could forgive
your monstrous frauds in my mills''---
Mr. Bedford WINGED and looked sur
prised.
GAY vince you may have found
out everything, thanks to-but I'll not
couple his name with yours And the re-
lease Of the mortgage-have you that"
mo, sir. 1t is in that bag on the
table
The old gentleman eagerly took up the
bundle that lay on the table and began,
with trembling fingers, to open 1t.
wait moment, Mr.. Denny" said
Mr.. Franklin. 81 should like to ask
this man question or two >,
Mr.. Denny paused, and there was a
profound silence in the ROOM
Lawrence Belford, if You are wise,
you will speak the truth. That release
is forgery-or at least it has no legal
valuen
''It is not worth straw replied the
prisoner with cool impudence; and on
the whole, I'm glad Of 1t. The mortgage
will be foreclosed tomorrow
'sYour share will be small, Mr. Bedford.
] am afraid your partner will find some
difficulty in making settlement with
you, unless he joins you in prison"
Mr.. Denny sat heavily down in an arm
chair and groaned aloud. In vain Alma,
! with choking voice tried to comfort him