Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-04-24

WdTu i uhu u leCCer lrOIu ullu shyluS
he had taken house and fixed the day
OF the wedding.
Some few days had elapsed. 1t was
past midnight, and was just think
ing of retiring, being the only one
up in the house, when knock came
to the door. carefully withdrew the
bolt and latch. A man with his coat
collar turned up, muller over his
face, and hat slouched down over his
eyes dashed in, almost knocking me
down. For moment was staggered,
and then made rush for the in
truder.
"Hush For heavens sake shut the
door T.
1t was Rudge! I shut and bolted
the door.
"What do you want?"
"Let mo come into your study,
please"
took him there, and he threw him
self into chair, exclaiming:
"I'm hunted man. For the sake
OF our friendship, don't betray me. !
swear Pm innocent"
"What's the matter, Rudge?"
"Marsworthl Forgery and embez
element!
bean to see daylight.
"What, has he turned out fraud?"
eyes; and worse than that. I'm in
it, too. There's warrant out against
me-"
The poor fellow began to sob Bit
tcrly, and by degrees it all came out.
Marsworth had used him and the other
man as tools, neither of them having
the slightest idea what was really hap.
pening. .Marsworth had known that
tho crash must come, and had pro.
vided for it. He was nowhere to be
found. The other man had been ar
rested, and Rudge had escaped by the
skin OF his teeth and come to me.
saw be was more sinned against than
SHINING, and l gave him my solemn
promise that would assist him in es.
Gaping ont of tho country. The poor
fellow had been honest about it, and
had actually sent the hundred pounds
to the Public Prosecutor, having, he
told me, some G37 left out of the EGO
he had received for the now worthless
shares, and with which he determined
to get to America, feeling sure the
friend who had bought them would
not grudge the money.
"But," said /, "You'll never get
abroad. "They'll look for you at the
docks sooner than anywhere. Be.
sides, you're not easily disguised"
"That's true, "he said "and they've
got my photo, I'm afraid"
Rudge had very striking profile,
his nose being most prominent fea-
ture.
"Look here" l exclaimed; "your
best plan is to make for the Cont.
nent. How about going to Antwerp
or Holland, and getting passage to
America on n North German Lloyd?'
"Ah, that's Il good thought. Well
decide to morrow"
/ gave him shake.down for the
night and kept him concealed in my
study next day, taking in his meals
myself. He wrote letter to his
fiancc, whom promised to see next
day, and then we decided that he
should take the $50 p. m. train from
Liverpool street to Harwich. He
shaved Off his mustache and stained
his eyebrows, and l managed to get
him a black wig. But nothing sufliced
for that profile of his, and warned
him to beware of exposing his face
too much. also managed to rig him
out in some other clothes, and gave
him bag and sundry requisites.
"Now," l said, 81 shall come down
and see you off, SO that I can go and
tell Miss Saunders you are safe. But
rs soon rs we get to Liverpool street
we'll separate. DO not take any
further notice OF me. Go first class
its only few shillinys more; get
in the carriage at once and sit on the
further side, reading n newspaper un.
til the train starts.
He promised to observe all these
precautions carefully, and in due time
| found myself hanging about the
platform at Liverpool street, appar-
emily studying the boat train, but
really keeping my eyes fixed on par
tlculnr compartment wherein sat
Ridge. AS luck would have it there
were few passengers that evening and
lie had the compartment to himself.
The whistle sounded, the train began
to move out of the station, and | was
congratulating myself that all had
gone we'll, when saw Rudge deliber.
ntely change his seat for the one
nearest the platform, exposing his
profile as he did SO. At the same in
stunt tall, well dressed individual, ,
who had been lounging about the
platform, made rush for the car
ringe. Rudge, catching sight OF him,
darted bnck.
"Stand away there!" shouted a
porter, catching II man by the arm,
| lust us he was about to board the
train.
"You fool" crel the map, "Fm
a police officer. I should have nabbetl
him if it hadn't been for you.
Every sorry, sir said the Porter.
"But you can telegraph.
"Thank YOU for nothing said the
detective, rs he turned aud rushed to
the telegraph office.
"WLere will they catch him?"
asked the porter.
cat narwick, sir. The train loesn' t
stop TIL then.
I went to see Miss Saunders next
morning. introducing myself II,
Ridges friend, AMI founl her quite
brpl ell. hearted. and yet Just it'll,
hit hopeful at the iiea that he hat