The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-11-08

daughter, who holds that appoint
ment. 1t will be rather a trying posi-
tion for young lady to be sitting
there alone, knowing what is going
on below"
ST will sit with her." said Miss
Wetherby, elf 1 might be allowed, as
it is only fair that share the annoy.
anoe and danger, if there are to be
any"
"The very thing" said the superin-
tendent. ''and then you can let your
friend know when to cease playing,
which will be soon after the men have
entered. As regards Hardy's COM
panion," he continued, 81 strongly
suspect he is no other than Bill the
Turnkey as he is called, who is
wanted for other robberies."
A little before eight we were all iu
our places. Miss Wetherby aud Ser
friend being in the orgsn-loft, whilS
the superintendent, MS men and my
self were hidden away in and about
the vestry Before long we had almost
forgotten the object of on being so
strangely brought together. rs We
listened to the magnificent rendering
of Mozart's Requiem, for the rectors
daughter was no ordinnry musician.
Soon, however, our attention was at
tracted to stealthy footsteps coming
up the gravel path, and presently the
door opened and Hardy and his COM
rInion crept in snd hid themselves in
one of the pews. Shortly after the
organ ceased, and the ladies came
down and left the church, locking us
| all in, in accordance with the super ~
tendent's directions.
Jus. about midnight the two men
made their way cautiously to the
vestry, which was locked. 1t did not
take long for so expert u craftsman
Bill the Turnkey TO open the dooab'
and after similar process had be5ft
gone through with the cupboard, the
parish register lay before them.
"Well, while you're cropping your
way through that musty old book, I'll
just look round to see what 1 can pick
up: i hato being idle, do"
$50 this is the register, said Hardy,
"and upon a simple entry in Its pages
depends the future ownership Of
Wetherby. Now for it.
Eighteen hundred and seventeen.
That won't do. Nineteen, that's
nearer Tewnty twenty-one. That ;
the year. Month, February. All here
it is
"Ialioa.~ epoptel iihtle1nr t5 t5 sud; p!.t
ground by the superintendent. who
lost no time in securing him. At the
same time the constahles and / rushed
upon Hardy, who, snatching pistol
from his breast, tirAl hopnazarI
among rs, the ballet finding a resting
place IN my right lung. 1t va, long
ntter heard the sequel to the night 3
adventure, which may be summed M
in Il few words. Hardy and his COM
panlon We're tried, convicted and
sentenced tn long terms ii penal SER
vitude, and Miss Wetherbv became the
acknowledged owner Of the Wetherbv
estate. But it was many weeks before
her feet crossed the threshold Of We
therby Hall.
As for nv unfortunate self, | was taken
to a hotel, where for long time my
health was despaired of. In vain
seemed the doctor = constant attention.
aide: though 1t was by the tender
nursing Of gentle Una At lcngtr a
day came, and with it the crisis O: my
fate. Una sat by my bedside, her
;laud IL mine, for there was no at
tempt Mt concealing our feelings to-
ward each other now. Just recollcct
saying
IT'S hard to part, dear Una"
"Oh. don't die" she exclaimed,
passionatcly; live, live, for my
sake"
And | lid. too. tOr here | am,