Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-02-12

knowi That's Tom Braling, the conii-
dence man. The last time ! saw him
he stood in the General Sessions receiv-
ing sentence OF FIVE years for swind-
ling"
'Impossible"
"Not at all; it's the truth. never
forget face. Besides, l had quite a
conversation with him. The scoundrel
actually hsd the audacity to sesk my
aid in protecting some OF his ill-gotten
gains. A slick articlel But walt bit;
'Ohol' and Mr.. Blacknore whistled
significantly as he watched Falkland
dash up the road toward the hills.
The way was long, and the heat and
dust increased Fslkland's disquietude.
As he approached the house he saw the
groom walking up aud down with the
steamIng horses. he fastened through
the main door-no sign Of his guest nor
OF his daughter. BE rushed out into
the grounds, and entered the old-fash-
toned maze which led to the summer
house. He heard voices; so he APP
proached stealthIly, abruptly. There
was MslnwarIng and Grace In q close
embrace.
Falkland sprang forward. he grasped
the impostor by tae collar. He twisted
him to the earth.
Tom Braling. l know YOU" he
shouted. "Ii you're not of these
premises In five minutes and out OF
Anyway In half hsur, I'll shoot you
like the cur yeu are"
The man picked himself together
easily, brushed a twiE from his sleeve,
and stood unabashedv with hat In hand.
Don't disturb yourself aud the peace
In any such way, my very good friend. ="
he said. II 90; perhaps. like Catlline.
I may return. II not, remember there's
always q hearty welcome awaiting you
at my estate in the North Of Ireland. J"
And with bold flash OF the eye to-
ward Grace, Brsling bowed and Saunt-
cred away amid the wlndings.
Falkland turned to his daughter with
q pitiable expression in his glance, q
tremor on his lips.
"And what can I say 10 you, oh, my
child" he exclaimed. 81 can say poth-
ing. Mine alone is the blame. II my
experience was deceived, how excusa-
BILE is your Euilelessness. Now that
this rascal is revealed, 1t isn't necessary
for me TO tell you TO put him out OF
your thoughts forever. Were 1t other
wlso | would use any means, however
drastic, TO prevent such an Infamous In
timacy. But you, my daughter, my
little girl, the image OF my Alice, are
so pure, so ignorant OF evil, that this,
it's first shadow. must be abhorrent TO
you. We will never think nor speak
again of our mistakes, will we, dear?"
While Falkland was pleading Grace
sal erect, with head thrown back, her
swelling bosom violently heaving, her
nostrls dlstended, her eyes dreamy, as
II Viewing scenes far distant. AS he
finished and stood expectant before her
she started as II some one had touched
her
mo; never, papa" she said, hurried
y.
And Falkland was content. Yet,
when he was alone within the library,
he took a revolver from his desk
and placed It in mis- pocket, resolved that
not again should opportunity find him
wanting.
Days passed by renewing tho monoto-
ny OF the past and bringing no word or
sign OF Braling. Grace read and prac-
ticed her music, greeting morning and
evening with the same tranquil indiffer-
ence. True, little Egbert aroused her
more frequently from musing In the
summer house, out her kisses were just
as affectionate, her embraces just as
fervent. Once, indeed, when he play
fully crept up and snatched letter
from her grasp, she frightened him by
the sudden ierocity with which she re-
gained II, but few caresses smoothed
the remembrance FROM his childish
mind, though he screamed in bis sleep
that night.
Among the few diversions which
Falkland allowed himself was member
ship In the Young Mems Lyceum,
which held monthly meetings for the
consideration OF social, literary and
scientific topics. He was mainstay
OF the institution, and as faithful In at
tendance at It's sessions as the Presi-
dents gavel. II was an evening In No
vember when he was proceeding
down tho road TO the Lyceum Building.
The twilight was heavy and dropping
gathering thick shades from the wood
ed hills and rolling them upon the val
ley. A melancholy akin to the hour
controlled Falkland. He was thinking
OF Alice and the futll!ty and tedium OF
life, when his attention was suddenly
seized by the rapid roll Of wheels and
patter of hoois along an unfrequsnsed
lane which led travsrsely to the Lap
| lands"
Falkland stopped and listened. The
sound died away. As IL a fash from
the future had illumIned his mind, he
leaped the fence and sped across the
| fields to his home.
BE entered. The newell post lamp o
the broad hallway was lighted, and
there on the landing. Just descending
the stairs, were Braling and Grace. and
| i'm the latter's hands was the ia
banned box which contained her faith.
er's securities. In that instant OF de-
lection Grace gave the treasure TO bel
lover and turned and fed through the
library, while Falkland, with his re-
yolver, and Braling, with this proof oil
his villainy, confronted each other.
| Slowly Falkland drew near, stealthily
Braling shrunk back, their eyes flash
ing hatred aud fear, when there was I
muflled rush, the deep hollow bay Of thu
hound, and 80 agonIzIng scream from
little Egbert, Papa, oh! papa, hell
ne"
my Godl Ny God" cried Falkland
as, with face dripping with perspira
ton and lIvid from terror, he dashed b.
ais enemy through the library 10 III
sleeping rooms in the rear.
Then IS Braling stood on the landing
rambling. nnnerVhd. irresolnte. strlY