The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-04-04

that the stairs by which she would ascend
to tho first floor bring Der to the landing
between Sir Edmund's room and Miss
Lascellos. Thus, though carrying out her |
fathers instructions to the letter. she must |
inevitably make her attempt upon Miss |
Lascelles' room and not upon yours. Look
at your plan."
:! follow you perfectly well.- said. as
tonished by the ingenuity OF his explana-
ton, which had made perfectly incredible |
supposition po,sible-nay. for the moment.
Are you convinced2" he asked. triumph
antly.
You have yet to explain how Brace
thought to obtain the diamond by the means |
he employed. He would scarcely expect |
that should faint with terror"
Who said he would? Race calculated |
unnn. .e.ss.sS WIN heavy sleeper; not a
soft and regular: 1t was Intended to test
whether you were asleep or not The mo-
ment - light appeared the sound ceased
the landing she could see when the light
was put out and IL was safe to recommence
the attack. Tho candle was Ii. with some
difficulty tho second time; Miss Lascelles
possibly stood witt her back to tho window
as she held the vesta- Lola may have de-
tccted the first glimmer, and uncertain or
not whether II was safe to continue. turnod
the blind. and looked through. At that mo-
mcnt tho wick burned up. and Miss
Luscelles turning. snw tho girls eyes be-
tween the laths. The knocking was not ro-
peated. for a simple reason Lola had dis
covered her mistake. and retreated. Do
you doubt now the purpose with which
Brace has gone to seek :ho girl to-d6yf"
/ was forced to admit that his explan8-
that Lola. who seemed sincerely attached
to me. would consent to aid in my ruin
merely at tho instigation of her .ither.
whose authority she habitually disregard
ed. said this to Van Hoeck.
1T IL because she Is attached to you-be-
cauB she loves you." he replied. with en-
phaslA that she you'd readily enter her
The diamond is hor enemy ,has separated
you from her. and placed you side by side
with Miss Lascolles, Tor whom she has man.
ifested a jealous hatred from the very first.
What could be more gratifying to her saw
age disposition than to take away the dia-
mond that has created this difference be-
tween you and her, aud 10 reduce you onco
| moro TO her level. 1t is the only hope she
can have OF getting you away Il ON Miss Las
cellos. and restoring the former condition Of
equality upon which your companionship
with her rested"
Again / was compelled to admit the force
OF Van Hocck's argument.
But why" askol. should Brace trust
such perilous undertaking to his daugh-
teri"
you caught her in the act OF robbing, you
would not raise your hand against her; II
you caught him, you would blow his brains
out. For her you would find excuse: for
him none"
In this there was truth also.
Talking Of that he continued. what
arms do you keep about you for defense2"
Il thought so. Take this" he said. draw
ing a long clasp-knife from his breast
| pocket.
low blade opened, and tho catch which
no sS &attsf VINO no, ateseser ia 49, 4Ss
iscd to close my window, which habitually
Liant nj ,t,yht nF,A to fh., f,at
cnirg OF that. ms we'll as the door. before
going TO bed. Finally. he exacted that /
sho uld once mo inclose the Hesper in the
ieather case. and strap it to my waist the
Tho Judge did not return until dusk. He
was fitigueds and his general appearance
Indicated a pursuit through rough and
Il hev seen the Kid" he said; but she
would not listen to reason; and not bein'
afecred Of sp'iling hor clothes she naturally
got the best OF the argument. and played 1t
| He advocated starving her into better be-
havior. and woull have had the door closed
TO cut on her communication with the dairy.
but Mis- Lasccllcs would not listen to this;
| she would not yield to fear. and declined to
change hcr room or alter her ordinary hab-
itndes.
We separated a little before eleven. The
night was close AMI stuffy. had no incli-
nation to go to bed, especially as had given
beforehand.
There was a reading, lamp in my room.
self in comfortable chair with u book.
Not a sound was to be hoard nfter tho clock
struck elsyopr 2 Rad on Without. @Meyips y
to time had tiken my eyes from tho book
| and listened -fntently-not im anticipation
OF hearing the mysterious tapping at my
SSns put UPON On Of s
last stroke oil midnight reverborated through
tho still night closed my book and listened
again. The silence without was so complete
that the burning OF the oil I'm the lamp at
my side was distinctly audible.
At that moment heard u board creak.
1t was so slight sound that. had my atten-
| tion been fixed upon the book, should not
camo from; was not sure that It was not
| from the floor under my foot as l chan ged
my position. Instinctively looked toward
the window. j could see nothing beyond
| the circle OF light reflected by the lamp
shade. 1t was too absurd to take tho lamp
| to the window-there was no board there
to crcak. i waited some minutes. and
thero being no repetition Of tho sound. I
reopened my book. but pausel with my
finger on the page to listen once more. A
| shuddering sigh. Ike that Of q child who is
crying itself to sleep. reached my ear.
1went TO the window, drew up the blind
| softly. and looked out; for the sound had
seemed to come from u distance. and l
thought it might be the futtcr OF leaves in
breeze. But the night WAS unchanged
heavy and still. the moon obscured. and %
thin gray veil of mist hanging over the
lawn. as Edith had seen II the night before,
! opened tho door noiselossly. All was
dark. could see only the mullion OF the
bay standing out vaguely against the gray
moss. listened. At night heavy cut tains
| were drawn across the head OF the corridor.
shutting 1t Oft from the passage upon which
1t abutted at right angles; nevertheless. /
could hoar tho stertorous breathing of tho
Judge or Van Hocck from the rooms be-
yond. l was sure that the sound Ihad
heard was not imaginary. and determined.
II possible. to discover the cause. went
back TO tho table and fetched the lamp.
had returned to where 1 stood by the
door. when my eyes fell upon something
lying at tho threshold. Another step,
and j should have put my foot upon Il.
In steadying the shade, my left hand
screened the light; as withdrew u saw
that the object at my feet was Lola.
as,sss '1Rop the mat with
asd 6sads 3lselSsk ! b sIls5; ~ yss ssssa aSSss, Sss,
~ VIII WI. sss - --shd chung to her
No. van HoeSx = he could see You now,