Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-29

But the man was more agNe IMAM VAN
brugh thought he turned white, ter
ror-stricken glance on his captor, then
wrenchei himself free, and dived down
a narrow lane on his right hand. Heed
less Of consequences, Vanhrugh plunged
In pursuit through the crowd, but the man
was evidently well acquainted with the
mazes OF the streets, ana was speedly
lost 20 view Vanbrugh. perceiving MS
pursuit to be useless. stopped short. ana
found himself in a narrow alley. whlcn
his instinct told him was DANGEROUS.
The sinister folk who lounged about u
belonged Enthusiastically TO the criminal
classes. As he had no mind TO be dsspoh-
ed OF his watch or his purse. ae shrugged
his shoulders and prepared to depart: but
at that moment his eye was caught ny
a face which peered at him from an upper
window and retre1ted-the very race
with it's long. fair mustache. of the man
OF whom he was in search. Nanorugh'
as will be evident to every reader or THESE
pages. was not a prudent man. In at the
open door Of the house, and up the com
rlJa stair he dashed quite needless oil
the probability that he was rushing head
long into a den OF thieves. lie had as
quick an eye for locality as for like
nesses, and knew at once the exact po-
sition of the room at the window OF
which he had seen the pseudo Simmonds.
He went straight to the door, threw II
opsn. and walked In.
lie looked round and stood aghast. No
man was in the room at all. 1t was
tenanted only by a tall girl In black.
who sat at a table on which stood
sewing
AS soon as Vanbrugh looked at her and
met her eyes he felt vaguely startled
and taken a-back Why this grim
spite Of her shabby clothes. her sewing
machine. her poor surroundings-this girl
was a lady. Her pale face was eXqui-
sitey refined. Her hair shone like spun
gold above her common gown. Her eyes
were 50 proud so sad, so calm, that
vanbrugh's gaze fell beneath them.
'Do you want anything" she said
and her voice was the voice Of lady.
IL beg your pardon" said Vanbrugh,
removing his hat. Il thought l had
tracked a man to this room-a swindler,
thief, whom have long been in search
of-but / was mistaken, perhaps
There is no thief here said the girl.
briefly. and began TO work her machine
as II TO put an end to the colloquy. But
her face had crimsoned, and then turned
white
Vanbrugh made one step TO her SIDE and
put his hand on her wrist
"You know where he is, he said stern
| ~. He has passed through this room
| An. there Is door
He dropped her wrist and would have
strldden to the little wooden door, which
| ne had not at first observed. had not the
! girl. casting aside her mask OF calm anu
quiet. threw herself upon him and barred
the way.
"Oh. stop, stop--if you have any mercy
che cried don't follow him-don't 80
rN,s n a.
! for-but II Is not altogether his fault-oh,
won't YOU listen? won't you be mercitul?'
Vanbrugh's position suddenly struck
| himself as humiliating and ridiculous. He
! had wanted to catch the swindler GER
| tainly. and had rather thought OF givins
| him a thrashing instead of handing him
over TO the police; but II was absurd To
| be lmplored in this manner. as II ne were
a monster of cruelty. OF course, the giri
was the mans accomplice-but she was q
very pretty girl
"Mercifulr' he said. you seem to
know all about II. This man who calls
| himself Simmonds-what Is his real name
| by the way?'
She looked at him mutely, and he under
stood that he would get no answer to
| that question. .,
"What is your own name? Can you
tell me that?" he asked. with more rough
ness OF manner than h. quite meant 10
show.
INV name is Dora Simmonds," she an
swered. and he could see that she was
trembling.
The wife OF the man l am looking
for. | SUPPOSE"
mo" she answered, while the red
blood surged to her brow. and made he'
for the lroment a living image OF shame
his daughter"
Vanbrugh's face seemed to have caught
a tlnge Of color from hers. lie felt the
shame Of her heart as II II had been us
own. "Forgive me-" he said. at last In
his impulsive way II dld NOT u"iet
| stand. / will CO.
| He had scarcely reached the door be
fore she stopped him. III you VIII tei
me-" she said. what my father took,
from YOU. I'll pay 1t back-indee1 ! Will
| If I work my fingers to the bone III pay
I, back-and then you ll-perhaps-no'
wish so much-to-punish him
~ don't wish anything. It was oniy
, ,rtnaa mere nothing. Don't think oil
..f3u, T. must think Of IT," she cried
| clasning her hands together. mus
think of til cannot bear my me uh.eS'
| | try TO undo the harm that ne hi'
| done" IL. ,t,,,
Vanbrugh's heart swelled with pity
t2nt even as he tried TO think OF word.
nth which TO console her. she coYere,
| bcr owes with one hand and conceale'
her tears. and shut the door suddenly u
his face. -, -.
"T wonder-have been taken In again
said the journalist, as he descehd.'
the rotten stairs. a.,
\ few days afterward ne iouilu ;" -.
! letter-box a little packet inscribed W M
name. IL proved TO contain 10 shilllIeS
ana a businesslike endorsement FITS
instalrnent. Dora Simmonds WEI
later a similar packet was leit III ~
! - and then Mr.. Vanbrugh vowed with
In himself that he would nhu ou, ~,
about that girl, whose wan. yet ioVeiy
rsce had begun TO haunt him In MS
| dreams. or die in the attempt
re sought out the street In when sh'
had been living. but she and her rain
were zone. lie made inquiries In VAIN
Az last. by pure accident, he came
mon her as shn was descending the stars
that led to his rooms. 1t was twilight
and he caught her by the arm
~ have found you" ne said you nave
been putting sthat money INTO my po'
] again." 49,. 10,
c,ma INTO her palid face-more pallid
more worn by SUFFERING IMAM ""'" ~
had seen her last. 49,. a.,
.If I did" she answered. ut was TN
right thing TO do"
"Did your father-ten your
Eyes"
But he-did he"--
81 earned the money" seid the girl
with re-entful fash Of her eyes-"earh,
"a II honestly. by needlework. II you wisi
10 know. Ny father was glad for me !.
paw il back. He-he had been very nuci
temp,ed-and l am sure ne VIII not "
ANYTHING like it-agaln.
"',y ,t thought OF MO,iey's fiv