The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-02-18

stole from the room, muttering 10 him.
self incoherentlY. He had aged ten
years within two hours.
Arnold Dacre stood in a thoughtful
pose, once alone. He regarded Flora
Merwyn thoughtfullY.
"She knows. be muttered, land that
knowledge is fatal to my every plan.
What it? Sooner or later she must have
known-she will thank me for saving her
fortune. When | demand her silence
and her love as my price for returning
to her the fortune, for indicating her
dead fathers furnished reputation, she
will not dare refuse me. | will remove
her to the house, and await her recovery
with patience. Then, to carry out the
farce, the faithful, fearless bank cashier
must remain at his post of duty till the
lastr'
He smiled sardonicaIly as he spoke.
Then he started and hurried to the door
communicating with the counting room,
for a new cOmmOtiOn had struck his
quick ear.
The clamor of the crowd had subsidized,
but some one was beating on the iron
doors, and stentorian voice sounded
open, in the name Of the law
Arnold Dacre paled slightly. He hur-
ricd to the shattered window, and stole
covert look without
On the steps stood the Sheriff of the
county, legal-looking document In his
hands.
II order you to disperse,' he was say
ing to the crowd. The court has au-
thorized me to take formal possession
of the bank until the bank examiner ar
riycs. Violence can do you no good"
''He is coming in here.' muttered Da-
ere conCcrncdlY. ''She is here. Should
she revive before l have time to show my
power over her father she will reveal
all. | must convey her to the house
keepers care. Then to meet the Sheriff
with Il bold face"
Dacre returned to the private Office.
About to lit the senseIess Flora in his
arms, he paused with a shock.
Mercy" he calculated in lost tone"
Some one is coming from the house,
Yes, the voices of two men reached his
ears. Their conversation told that they
were the Sherlffs subordinates, bent on
reaching the entrcnchcd enemy from the
rear.
Arnold Dacrc had but moment to
act. He knew that once formal posses
sion was given the Sheriff, the latter
guard.
Time was everything, to silence Flora
Merwyn meant his salvation. He glanced
wildly about him. Then lifting the
senseless girl, he bore her straight to the
open vault.
Placing her on the cold stone floor, he
drew the heavy iron door nearly shut
He gained the center of the room again
inc II n Ca
Here are the keys to the front doors"
he said simply. you can admit the
Sheriff."
The latter entered the private Office
minute later
"This is bad work, Mr.. Dacre," he said,
with a concerned glance at the banker
1T IS no fault of mine" returned
Dacre glibly. Il have been hoping you
would come. | dared not surrender to
that bowling, Infatuated moo"
NO, you have acted with courage and
discretion" assented the officer. 81
must take formal charge here"
Il have some private papers | wish to
look over in the counting room be-
gan Dacre, planning an opportunity to
get Flora unseen to tho house.
"CcrtainlY. | will only station man
at the outside entrance-that is alex
cept to put what assets the safes may
contain in practical possession of the
court"
And, as he spoke, the Sheriff advanced
towards the vault in which lay the in-
sensible Flora
a cold horror wrenched the heart Of
the plotter as the officer extended his
hand.
1t was to push the massive iron door
shut, turn the knob, and click the com
binatiOn, closing in the prosecuted, i'm
perilcd Flora Merwyn to a living tomb.
TO BE CONTINUED.