The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-06-30

JAW
You understands demanded the
schemer, when he had concluded.
YES" choked out Wharton, his face
one void of utter wretchedness. DE
pend on me to end the farce-what you
apportion me will not be difficult for my
brain is Keeling now!"
He uttered a hollow laugh as he
slowed the precious packet away. IN
safety. Then, with a haunted @ at
the dead banker, and one Of guilty hor-
ror at the inanimate Flora Merwyn, be
stole from the room, muttering to him
self incoherentlY. He had aged ten
years within two hours.
Arnold Dacre stood in a thoughtful
pose, once alone. He regarded Flora
Merwyn t~houghtfulIY.
"She knows!' he muttered, land that
knowledge is fatal to my every plan.
What Of it? Sooner or later she must have
known-she will thank me for saving her
fortune. When l demand her silence
and her love as my price for returning
to her the fortune, for indicating her
dead fathers furnished reputation, she
will not dare refuse me. will remove
her to the house, and await her recovery
with patience. Then, to carry out the
farce, the faithful, fearless bank cashier
must remain at his post of duty till the
last"
He smiled sardonically as he spoke.
Then he started and hurried to the door
communicating with the counting room.
for a new commotion had struck his
quick ear.
The clamor OF the crowd had subsidized,
but some one was beating on the iron
doors, and q stentorian voice sounded:
"Open! in the name of the law"
Arnold Dacre paled slightly. He hur-
ricd to the shattered window, and stole a
covert look without
On the steps stood the Sheriff of the
county, a ~legal-looking document in his
hands.
II order you to disperse," he was say.
inc to the crowd. THE court has au-
thorized me to take formal possession
of the bank until the bank examiner ar
rires. Violence can do you no good"
He Is coming in hazel" muttered Da-
ere concernedlY. ste is here Should
she revive before I have time to show my
power over her father she will reveal
all. l must convey her to the house
keepers care. Then to meet the Sheriff
with d bold face"
Dacre returned to the private office.
About to lit the senseIess Flora in his
arms, he paused with a shock.
"Mercyw he calculated in a lost tone"
Some one is coming from the house"
Yes, the voices of two men reached his
ears. Their conversation told that they
were the Sherlff's subordinates, bent on
reaching the e%ntrenched enemy from the
rear.
Arnold Dacre had but a moment to
act. He knew that once formal posses
sion was given the Sheriff. the latter
would depart, leaving a single officer on
guard.
Time was everything, to silence Flora
Merwyn meant his salvation. He glanced
wildly about him. Then lifting the
senseless girl, he bore her straight to the
open vault.
Placing her on the cold stone floor, he
drew the heavy iron door nearly shut.
He gained the center of the room again
Just as the two officers appeared.
Here are the keys to the front DOORS"
he said simply. You can admit the
Sheriff."
The latter entered the private Office a
minute later.
''rhis is bad wol K, Mr.. .Dacre," he said,
with a concerned glance at the banker.
1T is no fault Of mine" returned
Dacre glibly. II have been. hoping you
would come. I dared not surrender to
that bowling. Infatuated mob"
mo, you have acted with courage and
discretion" assented the officer. II
must take formal charge here"
II have some private papers ! wish to
look over in the counting-room-'' be-
gan Dacre, planning an opportunity to
get Flora unseen to the house.
Certainly. I will only station a man
at the outside entrance-that is alex
cept to put what assets the safes may
contain in practical possession of the
court"
And, as he spoke, the Sheriff advanced
towards the vault in which lay the in
sensible Flora.
A cold horror wrenched the heart Of
the plotter as the officer extended his
hand.
1t was to push the massive iron door
shut, turn the knob. ard click the COM
bination, closing in the prosecuted, i'm
periled Flora MerwYn to a living tomb.