San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-05-07


clew of the mystery. but in vain. At last
despair gained the mastery over him, and
accepting a post in the offices of Messrs.
Chest & Lead, he settled down as quietly
as his perturbed spirit would allow him to
daily routine of work.
Not so, however, his sister. The idea
that her father would one day come back
became almost a monomania with her, and
night after night she would sit up to well
come the wanderer upon his return home,
Oft in the long watches of the night, when
not soul was stirring, she would creep
down stairs and noiselessly open the front
door under the impression that she heard
her fathers footsteps in the street AS the
months glided on, the disappearance of Mr.
jackson was forgotten by the neighbors,
and only remained fresh in the hearts of
his Borrowing children.
To return to the little house at Chiswick
Upon the morning of the strange disap-
pearance of its owner, Mr.. Jackson was
aroused from his slumbers by the rays of
the sun peering through the window panes
and flooding the room with their golden
glory. He got out of bed and began leisure
ly to make his toilet. AS soon as he was
dressed he threw open the window, and,
leaning his arms upon the windowsill,
drew in all the freshness of the morning air
with deep sense of enjoyment. AS he did
so a man, who had for some hours been
lurking about the neighborhood, stepped
forward and, looking him full in the face,
beckoned to him to descend. Had the
stranger possessed the features and power
of the tabled Medusa Mr.. Jackson could
not have betrayed greater signs of unmis.
taxable terror. A livid pallor overspread
his features, and with half stified groan
he staggered back from the window.
The stranger made a more imperative
gesture, and Mr.. Jackson, collecting all his
energies, nodded his head in an affirma-
tive. Then, crossing the room, he took
something from a drawer, and creeping
stealthily downstairs seized his hat, and
opening the front door went out-without
even the precaution of closing it behind
him. In few minutes he was by the side
of his unwelcome visitor, and taking his
arm hurried him away from the vicinity of
the house. At first the stranger seemed a
little puzzled BY this means of action, but
after a moments hesitation he accepted the
position, and walked silently by Mr.. Jack
sons side until they reached a narrow
passage turning from the main road, and
thanked on each side by tall garden walls
By mutual consent both men stopped, and
the stranger, releasing his arm from that
of Mr.. Jackson, broke the silence.
"Well, Jim Sutton" said he, you are a
cool customer if ever there was one"
Mr.. Jackson quivered, but made no re-
ply.
"To think" continued the stranger,
that ! should have laid my hand on you
again. When saw your face at the win
dow half believed that was drean.r.s.
Why, it must be over fifteen years since
you did us all so neatly"
Mr.. jackson wrung his hands and ut
tered a stihed groan.
"Well, l suppose you will come along
quietly; but first we must get back to your
shop for must have n look over it," OBJ
served the stranger. "But hold hard, man;
are you mad?'
He might well ask this question, for by
quick and sudden movement Mr.. Jack
son grasped him by the throat, thrust him
back against the wall and held the muzzle
of a revolver he had drawn from his vest
pocket against MS temple.
Stir but 4 finger" muttered Mr.. Jack
son hoarseiy, raise but a single cry for
help, and you are u dead man. You know
me, Hoskins, and know you; we can trust
each other. am determined that no men
ton shall be made of my home, or of those
who belong to me in it. If you will con
tent yourself with saying that you met me
in the street and recognized me will go
quietly wherever you wish, but unless you
promise this, by the heavens above | will
blow out your brains and take my chance
of getting clear away. Oh, man." he con-
tinued, as lIosl,in@ r"m"incd silent, "can
you not under.tanI that it is for my chill
drcn that am pivIi.us>'
Il ain't afv@i. Ct ycUr pistol, Jim SUIT
ton" answered l.osk!ns in Il low whisper,
"and you know hat well enough"
"Tes, | know that, r"Giicd Mr.. jackson.
But don't see any BARN in not hunt
ing the kids, ~ continued loskins, 80 it's
a bargain as far as am concerned. Say,
are you On?'
The only reply Mr.. jackson made was to
remove his fingers from HOskins' throat
and place the revolver in his hand. 81
trust YOU said he simply, "but, o God,
that it should have come after so many
years. Let US get away from here as
quickly as we can. will come quietly
enough"
1T does secEl precious rough" remarked
Hoskins, as he and jackson walked briskly
away For to my mind, you hadn't much
to do with the forgery-it was the finding
of the notes at your place that did the trick
for you"
Il stated at the trial that my wife's bro
Their asked me to take charge of the parcel,
and that was quite ignorant of its con-
tents"
"He might have cleared you then" broke
in Hoskins.
He would have done so, am sure" re-
rl;od InnEsnn Nhllt IL un,, rnrnar, hnr ha-