Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-02-14

" NtYH S,NNtgH2i Tom were usher
Ell NsNEl ed into her apart
II ments. Holbrook
Y looked eagerly for
Annie, but she was not present, and
and there was a void in the room and
disappointment in his heart.
After Tom had been presented to Mrs.
Templeton, for up to this time he had
never met her, Holbrook opened the
conversation by saying:
I'VE came upon some rather startling
information this morning, Mrs. Temple
ton, which closely concerns yourself and
your daughter. l regret she is not here
to listen to the story"
"Why, was she to meet you here?"
asked Mrs. Templeton.
Holbrook stared at the old lady.
81 do not understand you he said.
But where did she 90 to after she
left your"
Left me?' said Holbrook, much puz-
zled Il have not seen her today"
"Then she missed you. She went out
to see YOU"
ITO see me?' replied Holbrook, still
more puzzled.
"Why, yes said the old lady, much
alarmed by his manner, in response
to this note from you.
She rose from her seat and, crossing
to the table, took from it an open letter,
which she handed to Holbrook.
Tom, who had quickly perceived some
thing was wrong, did not hesitate to lean
over Holbrook's shoulder and read with
him:
MY DEAR Miss TEMP!ETON-I desire
to meet you at the surrogates office,
where we were day before yesterday, at
10 this morning.. Your signature to
some papers is necessary. The presence
of your mother is not necessary.
Yours respectfully,
HENRY HoLBROoK."
"What horrible thing is this?" cried
Holbrook. This note is forgery. l
never wrote it,"
Mrs Templeton burst into means and
lamentations.
"Some one has abducted her." cried
Holbrook. IN turn the city upside
down; I'll go to the police at once"
Stop" said Tom. "Holbrook, be
quiet d LuOIlCll.
Quiet, MANI" turned Holbrook on
him fiercely; "she's in danger. Can
be quiet when perhaps her life hangs in
the balance? Come, let's go. Wei
alarm the city,"
Tom seized Holbrook by the arm and
said sternly:
stop, man alive, and make sure what
you are about to do"
LET me loose!" demanded Holbrook
beside himself. I'm dangerous. Dc
you know l love that girl-iove her
heaven only knows how much! l must
will find her"
Tom held him firmly.
Granted" he said, "you love her
and believe you. But to go believing
like a wild bull about town in this man
ner is not the way to find her. Be a man
Look at this thing coolly. I'll go any
where with you, but you must not los
self control. All Of your faculties ar
needed in this work. If you are to he'll
the girl or this poor old mother-heavens
she has tainted"
They both fastened to take her iron
the floor, to which she had fallen, and t.
bear her into the adjoining room, tn
door OF which was open, and lay he
upon the bed.
The diversion this created helped Hol
brook to resume control of himself
While he sought for water, Tom hastene
into the hall to summon assistance, bu
as he opened the door a lady stood be
fore him, probably attracted thither b.
uolbroois outcries.
Tom hastily told her what had oc
Cured, and begged that she would go t
Mrs. Tompleton.
He then went back to Holbrook, an
took him aside. He said sternly to hin
"Holbrook, you must summon all you
self control, all your manhood, There
work to be done that can be done onl
by men, not boys or whimpering fool
Let me see you steady yourself. L.
me say something to you. The scare
will not be long. The man who knife
James Templeton is the person who el
ticed Annie Templeton away"
you are right, Tom" said HolbrooI
grasping his hand and wringing it. 81
the first sharp agony Of fear for her
was unnerved. You shall not compla
Of my want of manhood again. 81
where can she be? Who can have dol
this? What shall we do? Where sha
we go? Think for me, Tom; act, on
don't let us stop here. shall lose N
mind if we don't do something"
lone moment, Let us see to MI
Templeton first"
At this moment the lady who h;
gone to Mrs. Templeton's assistance e