The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-02-25

| struction OF metropolitan vaults, having
only front of iron, the three other sides
icing composed of brick. Even this
| formed an air-tight compartment, but its
| closeness had led to air shafts being
! placed at the back, and, while a rather
| uncomfortable place on hot day, he
had often remained In it for an ho1r or
more arranging papers and the like.
"She cannot die in there" reflected
Dacre. NO cutlery can reach the out
side of the bank, but, if | should be de-
tained-"
He was detained. In a frantic fever of
suspense, his own heart seemed devour-
ing itself as one hour, two passed by
and the absence of the Judge, and tire
less formalities, kept him in the court
room.
The cloud deepened on his brow as,
from what the Judge said he realized
that strict investigation of the methods
and finances Of the bank would be made.
With Abel Merwyn dead, however,
scape goat was afforded for the crooked
work he had so artfully shifted to his
innocent shoulders, thanks to the dctt
clerical capacity of John Wharton.
As to Wharton. That phrase Of the
case had long perpleXed Dacro. Schcm.
ing to cover up his deialcations,
his losses in speculation, he
had induced the latter to tampcr
with the accounts and records in a way
that would attach no blame to himself
Some ugly transactions showed, how
ever, and Gloss investigation might en-
barass the old clerk. The whispered
consultation with Wharton as he left the
bank with the pocHct book, however,
q 4 Wit
Iident smile the arch-plotter decided. that
of all the clever ruScs he had designed,
the disposition he intended of the old
clerk, involved a scheme that was flaw
less and unique.
Only Flora. that was his one anxious
concern now. He planned boldly. lie
would remove her to the house from the
vault, he would tell the nervous, agitatcd
hOusekccpcr that the death Of her father,
the accommodating pcrDlcXitiCS at the sank
had temporarily unhlnged her reason.
that she must not heed her frantic utter
anCeS, nor allow any one to see her. that
her father with his dying breath had en-
joined DaCrC to remove her to some re-
tired spot, where the threats Of the de-
pOsitOrs and the disgrace of the hOar
could not reach her. 4 close carriage at
night, drive to the city, and he would
place her in charge OF some trusted
emissarv. Then he would unfold to her
the power over her fortune and her IA
theirs good name. If She welded him,
John Wharton could be sent abroad, and
the blame could be tranSpOscd to his
charge.
Thus plotted the merccnary scOundrcL
Trampling upon human hearts, mcrCi-
lcsSly blasting all that was bright in life,
where the stepping stones 10 his own
selfish desires demanded it. Arnold
Dacre saw riches and love as his reward,
and never dreamed that there could lie
day of reckoning other than some error
in judgment might prccipitatc.
He hurried down the street, once free
Of legal entanglcmcnts, and then by
lonely alleys reached the vicinity Of the
bank The man on guard n,dicd re-
spectfulIy 10 him "a be walked up the
iron steps
THE Sheriff has kindly allowed me to
complete some work in the counting
room" he explained
The officer admitted Linn without
cavil. Dacre hastencd to the private
Office.
The sad, white face of the murdered
banker looked up at him, he fan"icd,
with solemn rcproach, but he drove
away the feeling Of SuperStitiouS dread
it inspired. sudden advertisement
made the realities Of the moment still
more exclusive and cnQr0SsiGg as, try
ing the rear door leading TO the bankers
home, he found it locked.
The Sheriff has blocked exit that
way" muttercd Dacre, with darkering
brows. "IIow shall I get her away.
All. what's this"