The Globe-republican., 1892-03-17

sheltered his beloved child, he could not
| call his own.
Crushed and broken, he CROPPED his
way to the library, but Edna, listening
| at her door, heard his familiar steps and
came down to meet him.
The eyes Of love are prematurely
sharp, and Edna saw at glance that
| some great misfortune had befallen her
father. He sank into a chair and Edna
knelt beside him and sought to induce
him to tell her all.
Reluctantly then he told the story of
the murder and the robbery, but he did
not mention the terrible suspicion which
had fallen upon Stuart Harland, for he
wished to spare his daughter the cruel
intelligence as long as possible.
And so am ruined, said the broker
bitterly In conclusion.
Surely it is not so serious as that.
Your creditors will grant you timer"
Edna asked.
NO, no. You do not know them. Ny
pressing creditors are Pratt and Weeks.
They will be merciless. I had hoped
the sale Of my Colorado property would
enable me to realize more than sufficient
to tide over this financial crisis, for as I
have told you gold has been discovered
in many parts Of Gilpin County, where
my land is situated. l had counted on
receiving the money for the property,
eighty thousand dollars-the price al
most agreed upon with a Denver firm
this very week. In letter which came
to hand on Thursday last, my agent in
formed me that he expected to close the
sale and remit me draft by the twenty
third, that is to-day. But this evening
I received another communication from
my agent stating that the proposed sale
could not be consummated, for prospec-
tors, who had secretly explored my
claim, reported that there was No trace
of gold on it. This disappointment
means more than you can dream. I am
in a situation of peril which I dare not
confess, even to you, my child, said the
broker.
Vainly Edna tried to induce her father
to cOnfide in her. He would say no
more.
Il remember how that man Pratt
looked at me with his bold, impudent
eyes, when looked at him. His glance
made me SILVER, she said.
Coward that I was. He demanded
an introduction, and while 1 knew he
was not fit to make your acquaintance,
fear made me weak enough to present
him to you" answered the broker
And I am in this Villains power
Pratt and Weeks have deceived me; set
traps for me and involved me in specu-
lations which were swindles concocted
with the cunning Of arch-fiends to evade
all legal consequences. These men find
their victims among the oldest operators
c%rn nd .; 4 -
save me" he added
But the stolen money may be recov-
cred. You have not told me. Does not
suspicion rest on anybody" asked Edna.
Her father hesitated.
Speak, father. Why do you seem so
agitated?" she said.
Il would spare you pain and anxiety.
The worst for you, my child, is yet to
come"
Il do not comprehend; what do you
mean?"
In few words he told of the suspicion
which the police sergeant had declared
against Stuart Harland
Edna was justly indignant and she
treated the accusation with scOrn.
Stuart will explain the cause of his
midnight departure. When he is heard,
a shadow of suspicion will not remain
upon him." she said, with a loving
wOman's sublime faith.
Il should tell you also that Paxton,
the detective. did not agree with the
police sergeant. In the face Of all the
circumstances which caused the SER
geant to suspect Stuart, he declared his
belief in the young mans innocence.
Paxton is a wonderful man, and l am
sure he has formed some theory which
he believes will overthrow the hypothesis
of the police sergeant. In that thought
1 find hope for Stuart's salvation, even
though circumstances should further
combine to tighten the coil OF suspicion
about him." the broker said.
Father and daughter were parted for
the night, but like Marion Oakburn,
Jason Garrison was sleepless. He
paced his room until dawn and once he
muttefed:
Il have taken an awful risk and yet
prOfited nothing. 1 was mad. The risk
of discovery remains suspended over my
head like sword hung by thread"
He struck his breast and paused abb
ruptly in his rapid walk as he said, Can
Stuart have suspected me?"
At that moment the young man OF
whom he spoke was in the custody OF
detectives who had arrested him ON
railway train.
Circumstances were combining and
developments were transpiring which
were destined to make the secret OF John
Oakburn's murder one of the most re-
markable, mysterious, and interesting
of modern detective cases.
ITO BE CONTINUED
The Lake George Flats.
When a vessel sinks in the chan