Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-01-12
CHAPTER ~.
EXCITING SITUATIONS.
6You here2"

SllOAllVNS'
you bereP"
With this question, Berenics ST. Cyf,
fearful, agitated, heart-Nroken, struggled
to sitting posture up the lounge whefe
she had been reclining.
Where else should l be in the midst
of this storm of trouble and woe?p, re-
turned Almon S. airs, as he seated him-
self near by.
But father told you TO come here no
more"
"True, bat the charges of mgr titude
which he made against me were entirely
unfounded, as l am now prepared 10
prove. Besides, death has revoked the
mandate"
The Young man bowed his | cad, and to
all outward appearances was deeply
moved.
well, I'm glad you came. Almon.
How can l endure this aud liver
ut is hard, Berenice, crnel, and words
of consolation carry no relief. One
small comfort remains, however.
81 can't ina inc what For me all IS
dark, the very sun has cca ed to SHINE.
care nothing for life itself, now"
The murderer of your father Is
known!'
What? Where Is ne!
Not yet in custody, but his arrest Is
certain"
"Who is he?" j.
SHis name is Winters-Cole Winters. "
"It is false!"
The girl was Oh her feet now, her eyes
flashing angr.ly through her tears.
"The proof is conc.usive-absolutely
damning in it's completeness.
Nothing could 'onvince me OF any
thing so horrible.
"lou have great faith in stranger.
Ought not the saving OF ones life to
excite faith? Do you Gall him astranger,
who won his way to my f theirs heart?"
And yours?" sneered Sears.
"Aye. and mine, if You will have it so.
l thought moment ago that had moth
ing for which to live. l feel differently
now. The cause, the honor, of Cole
Winters shall be as my own"
Overcome by the violence OF her emo
tions, the girl sank trembling TO the sofa.
when the police arrived" the young
man proceeded. seeing his opportunity,
"be had left hi, room and the house.
The detective in charge of the case has
Just learned that your father gave him
ring last n ght.
As memento of his deep regard
true"
Then you, 100, admit it?"
"Why should ] not?"
st was found in Paul st. Cyr's death
| grip t. n minutes ago"
/ "Jmpossib el"
The fair girl was trembling now, fol
she read truth in the others triumphant
glesm pg eyes.
an the struggle for his life he tore il
from the hand of his assailant and re-
tained it, providentially, that the great
crime might not go unpunished.
Once more our heroine was upon he
feet. Trembling and resolue no long
er, faith shone in her bright luminous
! ewes, and love inspired her with conf
dence.
"Mr. Winters is innocent, she said
calmly. Il believe, l know it! He II
the victim of cruel circuw stances, or
worse still, horrid plot. Whit possible
inducement could he have had2"
"Inducement? The bonds to the value
of $500, 600 in the safe in the library wer
worth working for"
For an instant Berenice besitated, he
brows contrac' ed somewhat, and shrew'
!
"How could he have known that fathe
had been so foolish as to place then
.tbere?"
Doubtless he learned it in the conver
sation last night.
sBy the way, Almon, enc question
please.
"Well?"
How came you TO know this2"
'I-you---"
The young man pausedin his stammer
ing reply, and, despite an evident effor
at self. control, his face blanche1.
you need not answer, sir. kno'
now myself.
How"
while We were talking in the librar
last nj ht was twice startled by renee
tion in the mirror over the fire place.
then ascribed it to the wind swaying tn
shrubbery without l now know that
was your face. You were listening at th
window"
~Berenice l protest -"
you are my fathers murderl Begone.
Almon Sears staggered as if struck
sudden, stinging blow.
Don't deny it," the girl went o
riiedly, 1T would but increase m
loathing!"
Il can show where / obtained my in
formation, if need be, said he, some
thing of his assurance returning.
Perhaps SO, but l do not require
Begonei"
There was something quite dramatic l
the pose and look of the orphan girl
she raised her finely formed arm an
pointed toward the door.
Without word the scoundrel, var
quisbed by the ready wit of a girl in ht
teens. quilted the apartment.
"Confusion!" he muttered. as be dc
scended the stairs. "But still I'm IN
danger, She has only vague suspicion
still must move quietly"
In the drawing-room he found the d'
tective. who was walking up and dow
evidently awaiting his arrival.
"Well?" queried Hyland, laconcal'y.
"She agrees as to the ring, and say
that there were bonds of great value
the safe.
Il suspected that" commented the o.
ficer. And Winters?"
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