Frederick citizen., 1895-01-04

Oh resignation, but you are looking
very i'll, Mr.. Partell, surely you do not
feel one of those fits coming over you?"
L do" replied Silas, slowly, help me
to the couch-quick, my head grows
dizzy and my legs appear to bend
under me, all is growing white around
me, quick say or 1 shall fall"
Without a word Sister Mercy rose
from her seat and passing her arm
round the bankers waist led him to
the couch and arranged the pillows
comfortably under his head, then she
cast soft rug over his limbs, and tax.
Ing chair near him fixed her eyes
intently upon his face, which was now
becoming wan and livid. For a few
minutes the banker essayed to carry
on the conversation, but by degrees
the words slipped indistinctly from his
lips, his eyes closed and the slight rise
and fall of his chest was the only sign
Of life which he betrayed.
Shall I ever gain the secret?" NUT
tered the woman. shall / ever find out
the real perpetrator of the crime which
mas consigned my Paul to so hideous a
doom? When first entered this
house. L believed that the man who
lies sleeping there had by some under
hand means thrown the guilt upon his
prother's shoulders in order to prevent
MIN entering into an alliance, which
was distaSteful to min, but after his
explanation of to-day, I can only blame
him for needless precipitancy, and an
unnecessary display of harshness,
which he deemed his duty, but hark
he is saying something, this is an un.
usual symptom, let me not lose word
for [ may learn something Of import
ance."
she rose from her seat and bent over
the sick man as though eager not to
lose a syllable. For a few moments
the words came very indistinctly. but
after a brief interval he spoke plainly
though In low whisper.
Il was harsh and dictatorial." said
he, his fingers all the while plucking
nervously at the covering which Sis
ter Mercy's care had thrown over him.
Il ought to have known that Paul was
not the lad to live alone, and that
sooner or later he would want a home
of his own. Yes. he shall have The
money, ii will be a surprise 10 him. ne
has gone out now in bit of a temper.
but | will go to his rooms and put Il
find it, and then, when he does so he
will say. that after all old Silas was
not such bad sort. and did not forget
the day when he and his brother Paul
were boys together"
With slow and apparently painful
movement, Silas Partell rose from the
couch, and taking a key from his
waistcoat pocket, unlocked a draw In
the writing-table and drew out a
check-book, Sister Mercy all the time
following his every movement with the
utmost anxiety. AS he took a pen and
dipped 1t in the ink, she stepped across
the room and touched the electric bell.
In few moments the butler entered
the room and gazed inquiringly at her
See what your master Is doing"
murmu"ed she. hoarsely. Look at
tentively, it may save Mr.. Paul"
Everyone loved Paul, and the man,
stepping forward looked over his mas
ters shoulder.
Two thousand pounds continued
Silas. in the same low tone. "Twc
thousand pounds, and now to get this
cashed. and place the notes in his
room"
Quick, summon the other servants,
we must have more witnesses" ex
claimed Sister Mercy, and the butler
hurried away to obey her mandate
Doubling up the check, Silas passed
through the doorway into the hall,
and paused for moment before the
hatstand. Il have only to go across
the garden" murmured he. "either will
do we'll enough" and taking down
Paurs old yachting cap. he placed it
upon his head. and stepping down on
the gravel drive. emerged into The
bright glare of the sun. In the mean.
time the butler had returned, bringing
with him the footman and two Of the
maid-servants. and the little group,
headed by Sister Mercy, followed Silas
Partell, who made straight for the door
leading into the bank. He would
doubtless have reached it in safety had
not the gardener have left rake
lying in the gravel, and over this the
banker trpped, falling heavily and cut.
ting open his forehead on the edge of
the stone before the door. The shock
and the loss Of blood reused him from
his state OF coma.
Where am I?' said he, glsnciuG
wildly at the little group which sur
rounded him. who are you?"
81 am Marion Denzil, your brother
Paul's affianced wife" answered Sis.
ter Mercy. who was staunching The
blood which flowed from the bankers
forehead with her Handkerchief.
THANK Heaven. the mystery has been
cleared up and my Paul will be releas-
ed. All. Silas Partell, il your heart had
been more accessible to brotherly love
and less filled with the idea OF worldly
duty, this would never have happened.
l felt that there was some deep and
hidden mystery and / came down hers
in the hope that Providence would AID
me to discover It, Heaven has been
kind to me and acted my part well,
have saved your brothers good name,
and so never speak again. Siias Parteii
against a stage training"
1t was evident that Silas had been
mistaken for his brother by the new
cashier. that in returning he had drop,
ped the key which Paul had picked up,
and then going into his brothers room
he had found the bag open and uncon-
sciously deposited the notes In thu
pocket. All the facts were duly for.
warded to the Home Secretary, and as
Paul Partell was perfectly guiltless ot
Of any crime, he received a full pardon.
and was discharged In about a fort.
night, before the hardships of his life
of labor had begun to tell on him. The
frank hearted sailor soon forgave his
brother the injury he had done him.
the more so that Silas FASTENED the
marriage of Paul and Marion as much
as he could.
The three still reside at Marlaks
Frairs, for Silas has grown too feeble
to he left 10 hii,nenlf ca thak "a .,oo.