New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-22

hrrsh had an eve for likenesses; in another min
ute he held the man by the arm. IL was tne
| swinder indeed-the so-called Charles Simmonds
himself ,,Au,oh
But the man was more agile than Vannrugh
thought He turned white. terror-s'i.c h
glance on his captor. then wrenched hlmseii ~ q
and dived down a narrow lane on his right hand.
| Needless Of consequences. Vanbrugn plunseu III
pursuit through the crowd but the man w .s
evidently well acquainted with the mazes or the
streets, and was speedily lost to view Vanorugh;
percevng his pursuit to be useless stoPPeu
short and found himself In a narrow a1ey. wh.cn
his instinct told him was dangerous Tne
sinister folk who lounged about IL peiohseu VII
mistakably to the criminal classes AS ne nad
no mind to be despoed OF his watch or ms p'r Ss
part; but at that moment his eye was caught oy
a face which peered at him from an upper
window and retrea ted--the very face. with It's
long, fair moustache. Of the man OF whom ne
was in search. Vanbrugh. AZ Will be evident 70
every reader Of these pages. was not pruoeh.
man. In at the open door OF the house. ana
up the common stair he dashed. quite needless OF
the probability that he was rushing headlong INTO
a den of thieves He had as quick an eye Tor
locality az for likenesses. and knew at once 'he
exact position OF the room at the window %, Of
which he had seen the pseudo Smmonds. ne
went straight to the door. threw IT open' ana
walked In.
was in the room at all. II was tenanted only by
tall girl in black who sat at table on winch
stood a sewing machine.
As soon as Vanbrugh looked at her and met
her eyes he felt vaguely startled and taken
aback. Why. this girl-in spite OF her shaooy
clothes. her sewng-machine. her poor surround
ings-this girl lady Her pale face was
exquisitely refined Her hair shone Ike spun
gold above her common gown. Her eyes were SO
proud. so sad calm. that Vanbrughs gaze
fell beneath them.
DO YOU want anythng?" she sad-and her
voice was the voice OF lady too
81 beg your pardon" said Vanbrugh, removing
his hat. Il thought had tracked a man to this
room--a swindler. thief, whom nave long
been in search of-but was mistaken per-
''Thefe Is no thief here" said the girl briefly.
and began to work her machine as II to put an
end to the colloauy. But her face had crimsoned
and then turned white
Vanbrugh made one step to her side' ana put
his hand on her wrist. 400
you know where he is" he said sternly. He
has passed through this room All there is
He dropped her wrist. and would have stridden
to the little wooden door which he had not at
first observed. had not the girl. casting aside her
mask of calm and quiet. thrown herself upon
him and barred the way.
"Oh stop. stop--if you have any mercy she
cried don't follow him-don't go that way.
know what you have come for-but it Is not al
together his fault-oh. won't you listen? won't
you be merciful?"
Vanbrugh's position suddenly struck himself
as humiliating and ridiculous. He had wanted
to catch the swinder. certainly. and had rather
thought of giving him thrashing instead or
handing him over to the police; but II was absurd
to be impored in this manner. as II he were
monster Of cruelty. OF course the girl was the
mans accomplice-but she was very pretty girl;
'Merciful.' he said. you seem to know all
about 1t. This man who calls himself Smmonds
what is his real name. by-the-way"
She looked at him mutey. and he understood
that he would get no answer to that question
What is your own name? Can you tell me
that?" he asked. with more roughness Of manner
than he quite meant to show.
my name is Dora Simmonds," she answered.
and he could that she was trembling
The wife Of the man am looking for sup
pose?'
NO" she answered. while the red blood surged
to her brow and made her for the moment
living image OF shame. his daughter"
Vanbrugh's face seemed to have caught tinge
Of color from hers. He felt the shame OF her
heart if 1t had been his own. Forgive me,
he said at last in his impulsive way. II did
not understand. l will GO.
He had scarcely reached the door before she
stopped him III you will tell me-" she said
what my father took-from you. I'll pay 1t back
indeed will. II work my fingers to the bone
I'll pay 1t back-and then you will-perhaps-
not wish so much-to-punish him
Il don't wish anything. 1t was only trihe-a
mere nothing Don't think Of it again"
But must think Of It," she cried. claspng her
hands together. Il must think Of it-I cannot
bear my life unless l try to undo the harm that
he has done
vanbrugh's heart swelled with pity But even
as he tried to think Of words with which to con-
sole her. she covered her eyes with one hand to
conceal her tears and shut the door suddenly in
his face
II wonder-have been taken in again." said
the journalist. he descended the rotten stairs
few days afterward he found in his letterbox
a little packet inscribed with his name. 1t proved
to contain ten shilllngs and businesslike In
dorsement First instalment. Dora Simmonds
week later similar packet was left In the box.
and then Vanbrugh vowed within himself that
he would find out more about that girl. whose
yet lovely face had begun to haunt him in
his dreams. die In the attempt.
He sought out the street In which she had been
living but she and her father were gone He
made inquiries In vain.
At last. by pure accident, he came upon her as
she was descending the stairs that led to his
rooms. 1t was twilight. and he caught her by the
arm.
81 have found YOU" he said you have been
putting that money into my box again.
He spoke almost angrily. and the color came
into her pallid face-more pald. more worn by
suffering. than when he had seen her last
IF did she answered. at was the right
thing to do"
Did your father-te your
Yes"
but he-did he'-
II earned the money" said the girl with a
resentfu flash Of her eyes-"earned 1t honestly,
by needlework. II you wish to know. My father
was glad for me to pay 1t back. He-he had been
very much tempted-and am sure he will not
do anything like it-again.'
Vanbrugh thought OF Motley's five pounds and
felt doubtful. How did he come by that letter.
ne asked. as his name Charles Smmonds or
not?'
Charles Smmonds was my uncle The letter
was written about him. and my father-he has
made OF it-twice. I believe" she answered.
her voice sinking into low accents Of grief and
shame. 1T was all for my sake-he could not
bear TO see me working hard-and he Is
overwhelmed by grief and contrtion'-
Vanbrugh reflected that good actor
her father could no doubt make her believe what
he chose. There a colder tone in his voice.
as he said
Bring that letter to me. that he cannot he
tempted again. and take back your money, Miss
Simmonds
you do not believe me, You do not believe
him." she cried vehemently. But will bring
you the letter. He would starve rather than use
1t again
She flung away into the darkness. and Van
brugh felt ashamed. BY OF the next days
posts the letter from James Desmond
turned to him. but without a word from Dora
her father Yet Vanbrugh managed to intercept
her when she brought the last instalment Of the
money. though how he managed to do II one
ever knew.