Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-02-28
THRM0NT, Frederick County, MaMand Thursday February e. 1885,

edlY, saved him and bis companion no
little at the outset.
Leaving his subordinate-who had
previously received careful Instructions
Arnold Bond, with heart beating d lit-
tie faster than usual, cautiously mounted
the dark, narrow staircase and tapped
At q closed door facing him.
Then, without waiting for ony reply.
he Instantly opened it, and as quickly
stepped into the room and shut the door
after him again.
Surrender yourself my prisoner.
Michael Vaughan, alias Ralph Jutton,'
he said, sternly. as tall. bearded man
spr.ng hastily to bis feet with startled
exclamation, and confronted him.
A momentary panse; then, with an
oath, the coiner snatched upa chair, and
raising it aboye his head. was about to
hurl i: at tho detective but - quickly
dropped it. AZ bis eye rested on the re-
volver steadily levelled at him.
'Trappedy he e,aculated, savagely.
glaring At the officer. And in this
tom tool fashion. too. But there's
trcachsry here he added. 6s,cely.
and ifI-'
Michael. Michael, ,'interposed wom-
ant voice, in pleading tones. you're
forgetting poor little Jess. You know
the doctor said she must bs kept per-
fectly quiet
,Ah, Jess, POOR mite said the coiner.
mo wonder forgot everything. when
Bond himself Jumped up before me like
magic. Well I'm fairly nabbed; but
if it wasn't for her, be added, with
bitter emphasis, pointing to bed in a
corner of the room, you'd never take
me in this squeamish fashion,
The bed was occupied by . little girl
of about six years Of age. who. it needed
no second glance to perceive was very
near to death indeed. She was wide
awake, staring in mute terror from the
detective to her father and back again.
Nor did tho white face Of the coiners
wife who stood trembling by the bed
eide. express much less alarm than the
child's.
Lets clear out before you frighten
my young 'un to DEATH said tho coiner
in quieter voice. Never mind, Jess.
he went on, turning to the child and
speaking 10 such tender and soothing
tone that Bond stared with astonish-
ment, perhaps, soon, l shall come back
and then you'll be better, and we will
'Ah, take him away, sir, but don't
hurry him oyer what he very we'll knows
must be the last goodby he'll eyer say
to bis child What hope there may have
been you'll take with you but to take it
at this moment
The wretched mother. unable to ar
ticulate another word sank into chair,
hid her face in her haods. and gave way
to sudden outburst of grief.
'Is the gentleman going to take you
away, then. dsddyT the child paid
freely. 'Oh, don't 60 | do so want
you to- night Then looking At the
detective with great, earnest eyes, little
Jess continued. half Indignantly. half
pathetically: How would your little
girl like you to be taken away If she was
i'll, and wanted you to stop with her
dreadfully bad" :"
! An involuntary smile gathered for
one brief instant on the firm counte-
nence OF Bond.
ITS true. worse luck whispered the
coiner, stepping near his csptor. Poor
little beegsr, she's mighty bad. and the
doctor says the next few hours means
life or death. Moren anything she's
got to be kept particular quiet, so let's
olear out and leave EN- and. please
God, I'll see her again yet. Yes. my
prince of traps, you can see what makes
me such miserable coward, eh%
AS if ashamed Of the tresnor in bis
speech, the coiner turned, and, taking
down his hat, crushed it upon his head
aud approached the door with rigid
countenance and twitehins lips. Ap-
parently. hs dared not trust himself to
take even farewell look at his child.
But, as Arnold Bond moved toward the
door also, his glance fell for All instant
upon the thin. white face Of little Jess
who bad already fallen back exhausted.
She was gazing steadily at her father
who, however, kept his face carefully
ayerted. The pliful, pleading express
sion in The sick ebild's eyes struck the
detectives TO the heart, for it was q look
which expressed more eloquentlv than
any words the bitter disappointment
she felt at seeing one she evidently
dearly loved ahont TO be taken from her
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