, 1891-01-28

his Borrowing children.
To return to the little house at Chiswic%.
Upon the morning Of the strange disap-
p~earance 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 a 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 a half stihed 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 afirma-
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 Z. closing Il behind
him. In n few minutes he was by the side
Of his unweloome visitor, aud 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 sid by tall garden walls.
By mutual consent both men stopped, and
the stranger, releasing his arm from that
Of Mr. Jackson, broke the silence.
We'll, Jim sutton" said he, you are a
cool customer II 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 l saw your face at the win.
dow | half believed that was dreaming.
Why, II must be over fifteen years since
you did us all so neatly"
Mr. jackson wrung his hands and ut
tered a stiied groan.
well, | suppose you will come along
quietly; but first we must get back to your
shop, for must have a look over it," OBJ
served the stranger. But hold hard. man;
are you mRdl"
lie might well ask this question, for by
aquick 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 his temple.
stir bat a finger" muttered Mr.. Jack
son hoarsely, raise but a single cry for
help, and You are a dead man. You know
me, HUskius. and / know you; we can trust
each other. am determined that no men
tion shall be made OF my home, or Of those
who belong to me in it, II 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 Hosklns remained silent, 'scnn
you not understand that IL is for my chill
dren that I am p~leadiug'"
81 ain't afraid OF your pistol, Jim SUIT
ton" answered Hoskius Ia n low whisper,
"and you know thnt well enough"
Yes, | know that, " replied Mr.. Jackson.
But | don't see any harm In not hunt
ing the kids" continued Hoskins, so its
a bargain as far as l am concerned. Say,
are you onY'
The only reply Mr.. Jackson made was to
remove his fingers from Hoskins' throat
and place the revolver In his hand. ri
trust you" said he simply, "but, o God,
that 1t should have come after so many
years. Let us get away from here Us
quickly Ms we can. | will come quietly
enough
1t does seem 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"
81 stated Mt the trial thai my wife's bro
Their asked me to take charge Of the parcel,
and that ! was quite ignorant Of It's con.
tents"
"He might awe cleared you then. " broke
In IIoskins,
He would have lone so, | am sure" re-
piled jackson. but, IL you remember. be-
fore tho case came on for trial he died Of
an attack OF npopleXy."
$50 he did, so he did, " replied HoskinG,
but you got fifteen years, though you
didn't do them. How did you give 'em the
slipt"
A sad smile passed over Mr.. Jaeksou'o
face.
"when a man makes up his mind TO do
a certain thing be generally succeeds, " said
he.
well, then, all 1 can say" remarked
Hoskins sententiously, sis that 1t Is pre-
cious lucky for society at large that there
is 50 little min among what papers call
tho criminal classes"
There Is no ueed TO linger over this sad
portion OF the history. James Sutton, an
escaped convict, was semi back 10 work out
the -uucompleted portion Of his sentence,
with an additional term OF FIVE years, for
presuming to release himself without the
aid and incentive OF the authorities.
Hoskins, the detective, was true TO his
word, and the identity OF James Sutton
with Thomas Jackson was never divulged.
Six years had passed since the events de.
scribed. and the brother and sister still re.
NAMED in the little house at Chiswick, but
hope had now died away in their hearts,
and the uame of their father was rarely
mentioned. One day Bob returned from
the city with a look OF gladness upon his
manly worn face.
Upon my word.'' said he, Chest and
Lead are good fellows. Through their
good offices | AVE been appointed agent to
a shipping firm at Gibraltar at a salary of
three hundred a year, and l an to start at
once. You will come with me, Nell; the
change will do you good, for | cannot but
think that this house brings gloomy recol-
lections TO sour mind, and that you will DO
better away from it,"
"But suppose, Bob. he should come and
End no one to welcome him." objected
Nell. the tears starting TO her eyes as she
spoke.
"Do not be angry with me, Nell" re-
turned her brother, but | fear you must
give up all hope OF seeing our father again.
II he had been in tho land Of the living h
would have come back to US before now;
but put aside sad thoughts apd begin to
make ready for the journey"
Nell made n few more objections, but her
brother overruled them all, and in three
60 H. H. 49, -