The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-04-28
CHAPTER III-(Continued'

ed now to term Frampton.
But thought came to Stanley Clare
mont.
He would tell his cousin that the old
servant was about to go ashore in the
neighborhood of the baronet'S man
sion-would cause her to believe that
Frampton's impotence arose from the
fact that Sir Loghlen was in great dan
ger; and then Frances would insist on
accompanying the old domestic ;and
so would time be gained.
Yes; for while his cousin would be
entreating and James Frampton resist
ing, the which for some hours
had been gradually approaching
would burst upon them in all it's might;
and not even Frampton, then would
the captain anOw to quit the vessel.
Abraham Mailer, seated on his pack,
his back against the bulwarkS, was
alone for the time and Illuminating.
He was thinking that poor Stanley
Claremont was clutching at a straw;
for what could he gain by hindering
FramptOn from going ashore on that
present evening?
Nothing. On the morrow, early, all
would disembark and Claremont would
lose his inheritance.
for that fortune would have been a
cake at which he would have contrived
to get a good nibble.
If the peddler could but render Clare
mont a service without taking that
gentleman into his confidence there
were projects which were nor to be
confided, but which needed only to be
successful to meet with thorough APP
prevail.
And how was Abraham to succeed?
He sat himself to considering harder
than ever.
Miss OMeara would not be suffered
to go in the boat with FramptOn; of
that the peddler felt well convinced
AS thus he thought his eyes fell upon
a ladder which was lying near him,
then upon the deck.
The steps of that ladder were Of
wood, it's sides of rope.
Abraham was made to start with
the idea which had just occurred to
him.
But few people were at that time on
deck; and, besides, it had grown dark.
He drew the ladder toward him and
examined it.
Through a hole on each side of the
steps were the ropes made to run, and
on knots which had been made in those
ropes did each step rest.
Well assuring himself that he was by
no one observed, Abraham brought
brought from his pocket and noiseless-
ly opened the large clasp-knife he al
ways carried.
That knife he applied to a knot on
one side Of the ladder and on which
one of the steps, near the ladders top,
depended for one-half of its support.
The knot on which he employed his
knife he cut sufficiently through to be
certain that a mans weight upon it
would cause it in a moment to break
entirely away.
"There are a great many unfortunate
accidents" Abraham said to himself,
as he quietly replaced the ladder on
the deck; land Master FraInpton's
tumble into the water will be consid-
cred one Of them
He hoped only that Stanley Clare
mont would not believe it an accident,
and would think that his humble
friends inventive genius deserved to
be rewarded by him.
The vessel was now brought to- with
in about half a mile from the shore
and fairly on a level with Sit Loghlen
O'Meara'S mansion.
A boat had been lowered the ships
ladder thrown over the vessels side,
and on the top step of that ladder was
Frampton about to place his foot,
when Frances O'Meara came hurriedly
on deck.
champion" she exclaimed, "when
my uncle-my second father-is in dan
ger of death, perhaps, is your right to
hon 0i71o
Frampton strove to assure her that
the danger in which she believed had
no existence.
But Frances would not be so satisfied
and declared her determination to ac-
company Frampton in the boat.
Seeing Stanley Claremont standing
beside the young girl. Frampton easily
understood by whom she had been
told of his intended departure.
About to reproach the baronet's
nephew, Frampton was interrupted by
Frances.
my cousin has performed his duty"
she said, and you will not allow me
to accomplish mine"
And now the heavens grew darker,
the lightning flashed more wildly, and
louder and fierce rolled the thunder.
Frances still insisted, urged thereto
by Stanley Claremont, who believed
that so would Frampton be kept on
board; but, to Stanley's unspeakable
modification, Captain Tarboy gave
reluctant consent that the baronet'9
niece should be James FramptOn's
companion in the boat.
Frances then hurried past the old do
mestic that she might be the first to
descend; and Abraham Mailer, unable
to restrain himself, shouted forth
warning cry. That cry, however, was
unheard. or. at all events, unnoticed