Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-12-20

only hope she was able to remain
there, and bring her boy up as she
wished to-
Il know now" said Harry Coll!ng-
wood, that is the person l meant.
She did go to Devonshire, but she did
not live long enough to bring her
boy up as she wanted to- He was
packed up to London again when she
died, and taken in hand by his father"
so that's Harry Rudd. is it," the
doctor added TO himself, as he passed
into the field. Il felt sure he was
some relation TO that woman. But
what does it all mean: Why is he
masquerading down here? l only hope
some one has taken him in hand and
is trying to make man Of him
$50 that is the man whom my
mother spoke of as being her best
friend" thought Harry. well. I'VE
shall see if l am going to let him come
to any HARM"
He had made up his mind what to
do.
Tom Rudd, whether he was father
or not, should not rob the man who
had saved his mother from misery.
He would stop the burglary! And
he would conuive it, if possible. that
Tom Rudd should have a chance to ,es-
cape.
The dreaded night came at length.
Harry knew now every inch of the
house.
He had gone through all the pas
sages and in and out the doors. and
thus was perfectly au fait in every
exit and entrance.
SO it was not 4 matter of wonder
that on a certain night he was stand
ing ready on the terrace to meet his
father and his companion, though from
very different purpose from what
was expected.
Tom Rudd and his comrade were
punctual
''Ah! my hearty" said Tom Rudd
''here you are, then! Well soon han
die the old mans gold. and then off
[ am to America, and you can be a
swell without the worry of a father
that's in another business to your
SELF
But Harry stopped him.
''Stay, father; you can't go inr' he
said
'Eh! what's that?" cried Tom Rudd
who took in the situation in an in
slant. what! Have you betrayed us?'
I'm out of this business altogether, >
said 7
into it. l would never have consented
to come here if l had only known
that the man you were proposing to
rob was the one who had saved my
mother from misery and destitution.'
What! didn't you know that?" he
cried. 'Why, that's one of the reasons
| want to ease him of his gold. The
old, hypocritical humbug, who per
suaded her to go away to her friends
and never even came to see me after
1 came out of prison. No nonsense
go in and open that Window
81 will not, fatherv'
'Then take THAR
He aimed a furious blow at his son
with a jimmy.
The iron instrument only escaped
his head by hairs breadth. AS he
sprang back a tall figure emerged
from the shadows 1t was DR.. Par
kins.
''TOm Rudd!' he said, in a low, reso
lutte voice, II will give you one more
chance. You have come here to rob
me. l will make bargain with you
Leave this place, and your son with
me. and | will give you $3.50 to go to
America with. AS to Harry, / will
keep the promise I made to his moth
err years ago, to save him from bad
company and make a man of him
I"
''Take that, you canting IMPORTER
cried the desperate man.
He drew from his pocket revolver
and fired straight at the head Of the
schoolmaster.
But the pistol burst and he was
hurled backward on the terrace.
The other man rushed forward with
an oath, but in a moment he was
seized in the powerful clutches of
Raymond, the usher.
Tom Rudd was dead.
Harry" said DR.. Parkins, 'this is
your chance in life. No one need ever
know that this was your father.
heard all you said. I am quite sure
that 1 understand your temptation
All [ ask you is, to do as your mother
would have wished-the mother whose
dead hand held you back from evil
Boston Globe.