San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-12-23

ueigneu TO reply; land Just be ready for
my men tomorrow evening, or take the
consequences. These are my last words
to you'll"
And with this he took his leave. He
was by no means the most brilliant
officer in the department, and he felt
uncomfortably aware that he did not
see his way clear as yet; he could not
even make up his mind on so elemen-
tary point as Leander's guilt or inno-
cence.
But he meant to take the course he
had announced, and his frankness in
giving previous notice was not without
calculation. He argued thus: "If
Tweddle were free from all completely,
nothing was lost by delaying the search
for day; if he were guilty, he would
be more than mortal if he did not at
tempt, after such a warning, either to
hide his booty more securely, and pro-
baby leave traces which would betray
him, or else to escape, when his guilt
would be manifest.
Unfortunately, there were circum-
stances in the case which he could not
be expected to know, and which made
his logic inapplicable.
After he had gone Leander thrust his
hands deep into his pockets and began
to whistle forlornly. "A little while
ago it was burglars-now it's police!"
he reflected aloud. "Tm going it, am!
And then there's Matilda and that there
Venus-one predickyment on top of
another!" (But here a sudden hope
lightened his burden.) "Suppose she's
took herself off for good?" He was pre-
vented from indulging this any further
by long, low laugh, which came from
the closed cupboard.
mo such luck-she's back again!" he
groaned. "Oh, come out if you want to
don't stay larfn' at me in there?"
The goddess stepped out, with a smile
of subdued mirth upon her lips. Lean
der" she said. Ibid it surprise you just
now that had vanished?"
"Oh," he said YEARLY, II don't know
yes, | suppose so. You found some
way of getting through at the back,
dare say?"
"Do you think that even now l cannot
break through the petty restraints OF
matter?"
We'll, however it was managed, it
was cleverly done, l must say that. |
didn't hardly expect it of you. But you
must do the same tomorrow night, mind
you!"
"Oh, must I?s she said.
ayes, unless you want to ruin me al
together, you must. They're going to
search the premises for you!"
Il have heard ALL" she said. "But
give yourself no anxiety. By that time
you and L will be beyond human
reach"
mot mel" he corrected "If you
think I'm going to let myself be waited
over to Cyprus (Which is British soil
now, let me tell YOU, you're under an
entire delusiOn. I've never been waited
anywhere yet, and L don't mean to try
it,"
And her pent-up wrath broke forth
and descended upon him with crushing
force.
"Meanest and most contemplate of
mortal men, you shall recognize me as
the goddess | am! l have borne with
you too long; it shall end this night.
Shallow fool that you have been, to
match your puny intellect against
goddess famed for her wiles as for her
beauty! You have thought me simple
and guileless; you have never feared to
treat me with hippant disrespect; you
have even dared to suppose that you
could keep me, an immortal, pent up
within these wretched walls! humored
you, l let you fool yourself with the
notion that your will was free-your
soul your own. Now that is over!
Look at the perils which encircle you!
Everything has been aiding to drive
you into these arms. My hour of tri-
umph is at hand-yield then! Cast
for mercy-or assuredly l will spare
you not!"
Leander went down on all tours on
the hearth-rug. Mercy" he cried fee
bly,. "I've meant no offense. Only tell
me what you want of me.
"Why should l tell you again? / de-
mand the words from you which place
you within my power; speak them at
once!"
("Ah!" thought Leander, az am not in
her power as it is then.") "If was to
tell you once more that I couldn't I'M
dertake to say any such words?" he
asked aloud.
"Then," she said, "my patience would
be at an end, and would scatter your
vile frame to the four winds of
heaven!"
LADY Venus" said Leander, getting
up with white and desperate face,
don't drive me into a corner. 1 can't
go off, not at a moments notice-in
either way! II must have day-only
day-to make my arrangements in.
Give me day, Lady Venus; ask it as
a partickler favor!"
"Be it so, " she said; zone day give
you in which to take leave of such as
| may be dear to you; but after that |
will listen to no more pleadings. You
are mine, and, all unworthy as you are,
l shall hold you to your pledged"
Leander was left with this terrible
warning ringing in his ears; the goddess