The Lamar register., 1895-07-06

what 1 says.
Miss Foitescue had opened her mouth
to plead further. but almost ere she
knew it. the strange little apparition
had vanished.
We'll. / neYerF" exclaimed Miss For
tescue, using unconsciousiy the same
words that her cook had selected for the
expression Of her great amazement.
And she went straight upstairs and
told the whole story to Maria Vinton.
Mrs. vinton scofred at It. as. indeed.
It was quite natural she should do.
And you believe it all? ,sjd she.
II couldn't help II while l looked in
her face"
But. my dear Miss Fortescue, Just
see how very improbable 1t all is. Pray.
use your common sense
AT all event, mean to have the
police" said Miss Fortescue, nodding
her head.
''You'n only get laughed at for your
pains
"Tm risk that" said the little old
maid.
The gray-stone house was quite dark
when the clocks strucH 2 the quarter
past. and the half hour; but Miss For
tescue was wide-awake. sitting in front
OF her fire. with heart throbbing with
quick. uncertain beats. She would
have risked much on Jacqueline's truth,
yet now that the hour OF test ap-
preached, strange doubts crept over her
mind.
silently rising. she stole downstairs
on tfptce ard stood at the head OF the
cellar stairway. with Mrs. Vinton at
her side both trembling. partly from
cold. and partly from underlined appre-
tensions.
Suddenly there was a dull. scuaiing
noise. the sound OF hurried movene nts
and then the sharp crack Of a pistol,
and then a child's cry.
''fou'u blow on Us ag'inr' snarled a
deep voice. It's all up now--but you
shan't so scot free. you, Jackey!'
More Emothered scufiing noise, the
sound OF hurried movements. and then
n sudden upblaEins OF iiEht; but
through II all Miss Fortescue's strained
ears could hear the low moaning OF
someouc IN mortal pain.
i can't endure this. Maria" she
whispered I must go down"
And be killed In the meleef' cried
Mrs. Finton. holding tight TO her arm
NO, indeed. you shall not stir a stepr
And At this instant the light flashed
into brilliancy, and from her elevated
position Miss Fortescue could see the
whole startling scene. The ruffians
bound hand and foot. with suilen faces
and hloodshot. rolling eyes-the trtum'
phant myrtnidons OF the law exultinl
In the capture they had made. and one
ilttie figure darkiy covering In a corner
little JRcaueiine.
Needless 1f the attempted explana'
ton OF the officers. Miss Fortescus
broke from Mrs. vInton's detaining
hand. and ran 10 the child.
My dear. you are hleeding-yOu are
hurty'
''Yes'm." Jack answered. phlegnatl.
eaIiy. I'm hurt slippery Jim mis-
trusted as I'd blown on EN-, and he
shot me. think I'm goin' TO diei
somehow can't breathe easy" and. thus
speaking. poor Jack tainted.
''Lawki ma'ami'' said one OF the of.
ficers. as Miss Fortescue tenderly lifted
the helpless mass OF rags. dirt and blood
on en-. Mother Jones Jackey-every-
body knows herr
II know her." said Miss Fortescue.
quietly. IT'S to her owe my preserva-
ton from robbery-perhaps assault,
and even murder-this night Hence
forward. she shall Be my care"
Mrs. Ninton held up both hands In
amnzement and wonder. Was the rich
spinster going madF
When little Jackey came to herself.
she lay among soft, scented pillows.
with the odorous breath Of hbthouse
flowers filling the air. and a kind face
bending over hers-Miss Fortescue's 5
face.
"Oh-h-hr' said Jackey, with a long
breath; Il thought I was dead and gone
TO heaven, but l amt. be II"
mo my dear" said Miss Fortescue