Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-02-23


twain to patrol the portals of the bank,
and refuse admittance to any one, while
the other started to disperse the lnger-
ing crowd without
They will soon be gone. Then to re-
move Flora" he planned, plausibly.
He was struck dumb, however, as the
Sheriff again approached him.
Il shall have to trouble you to accom-
pany me, Mr.. Dacre." he said respect
fully, but with determination.
accompany vou!' repeated Dacre,
with d start, "where?"
ITO the Judge A citation has been
issued for both yourself and Mr. Mer-
wyn. Poor Merwyn. he is spared the
disgrace of appearing as public crimi-
nal"
"You do not mean" began Dacre.
THAT some hot-headcd depositor has
sworn out II warrant charging crime,
collision. DO not look 50 concerned,
sir" added the Sheriff. plainly evidence
ing his esteem for the over-rateG cash
Ter. lit is merely tritling annoyance.
OF course they can't prove anything of
that kind against you'
II should hope not" murmured Dacre,
but with u sinking heart.
you will simply have to furnish
bail"
'But how can /? In the present in
famed condition Of the peoples mind, u
mans former friends are his hitterest
foes. Can you not delay this service for
an hour-til tomorrow. have impor-
tant business here at the bank"
SORRY" sighed the Sheriff, ''but duty
is duty. See here, Mr.. Dacrc," he con-
tinued hastily, II have confidence in you.
I amt afraid Of q man who risks his
life as you have done to keep that mob
out OF the bank, running away. I'll tell
you what I'll DOLL go your bond my
self"
''Oh! Thank yOu," murmured Dacre.
sit won't take ten minutes. At tho
same time you can lodge information as to
the assassin of Mr.. Merwyn. Dear dearl
I never dreamed that quiet, slow going
Ridgetield would come to numbering it's
best fricnd!''
Nor of the true depths OF vilaIny that
lay beneath the courtly exterior Of his
prisoner! That prisoner was strangely
excited as they lest the bank, however.
He hurried the Sheriff along, ne scarcely
heard the taunts or needed the vicious,
scowlng faces of the disappointed depos-
itors as they passed down the street He
was safe under the protection Of the law,
to the bank as soon ls possible, and re-
lease tho imprisoned Flora.
He calculated the chances in his favor
of speedy release He grew less uneasy
as he recalled the interior of the vault.
1t was scarcely up to the massive con-
struction of metropolitan vaults, having
only front OF iron, the three other sides
being composed Of brick. Even this
formed an ;lir-tight compartment, BUTT
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 holr or
more arranging papers and the like.
'She cannot die in there" reelected
! Dacre. mo cutlery can reach the out
side of the bank, but, il [ should be de-
| tanned"
He was detained. In 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 formalties, 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 Mcrwyn dead however, a
scape goat was afforded for the crooked
work he had so artfully shifted to his
innocent shoulders. THANKS to the dett
clerical capacity OF John Wharton.
AS to Wharton. That phrase Of the
case had long perplexed Dacre. Schem-
ing to cover up his detalcations,
his losses in speculation, he
had induced the latter to tamper
| with the accounts and records in 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 pocket book, however,
had provided for that-yes with a con-
fident smile the arch plotter decided, that
Of all the clever ruses he had designed.
the disposition he intended OF the old
clerk, involved scheme that was flaw
| less and unique!
Only Flora! that was his one anxious
concern now. He planned boldly. He
would remove her to the house from the
vault he would tell the nervous, agitated
| housekeeper that the death Of her father,
tho accommodating perpleXities at the Sank
| had temporarily unhinged 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 Dacre to remove her to some re-
I tired spot where the threats OF the de-
positors and the disgrace OF the hour
could not reach her. A close carriage at
night, u 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
| hn trnpSnnSpd
I charge
| Thus plotted the mercenary scoundrel.
Trampling upon human hearts, merci-
| lcssly blasting all that was brightin life,
where the stepping stones to his own
| selfish desires demanded it. Arnold