The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1897-04-02

"I'm going to steer there now" "
said Martin. Keep your place at
the sculls."
Are you readyi" said Sue.
"Readyr'
The boat began to move quietly
up stream.
The girl was fully aware that the
expedition upon which she had now
embarked, i'll response to a word
from Cartwright, was one fraught
with considerable danger. The very
[, thought of Andrew Mawle had more
than once reused in her the most
serious inquietude. While the man
was still clerk at Sherwood's bank,
where Sue Lawson had lately
lived in the managers service, his
dark, evil eye had frequently ex-
cited i'll her woman's nature a sense
of inexplicable repttlsion.
She was no coward, but the recol-
lection of Mawle's face one night
the face of one pursuing and pur-
sued-in crowded, lamplit street
had caused her to run homeward,
with terror at her heart, as hur-
riedly as though there had been no
one to defend her within sight or
call.
Upon that very same night, as she
had reason to remember, Sherwood g
bank had been robbed. A box con-
tanning largo sum in notes and
gold had disappeared from Sher-
woods strong room. No doubt ex-
listed that Andrew Mawle, who had
failed to report himself at the bank
since the affair happened, was the
sole culprit. A big reward had been
offered for his arrest.
For some days past Sue had
known that Martin was onthe man's
track. But she had shrurk instinc-
lively from taking any part in the
pursuit. Her terror of him had in
creased. 1t was only hor passionate
love for Martin Cartwright that had
given her the courage Of which she
had such desperate need tonight.
They were now gliding into the
black shadow under the archway of
n huge bridge. When fairly out on
the other side, Cartwright said:
"Sue, we will now turn about Easy,
Sue. Now, mind, be ready to unship
the moment ] give the word"
The boat was moving upon an al
most motionless tide and soon drop
ped down stream under another arch
of the same bridge. Then Cart
wright whispered:
Now"
Tho sculls were instantly unship-
ped, and by the light of his lantern
Cartwright contrived to steer along
side the masonry. Next moment he
had seized rope dangling against
the side and was standing up, with
the boat stationary beneath him.
"Catch hold, Sue. I'm going up
hand over hand on to a ledge in the
ironwork overhead. That's where
that precious box is slowed. Steady.
Now give me three minutes, and
the things done.
He left her no time for possible
vacillation. There was no choice but
for her to grasp the rope with des-
perate grip as he began to ascend.
A few moments of intense anxiety
followed. Sue Lawson felt the rope
go slack. Martin had hoisted him
self up, and she concluded that he
was perched safely on the iron grid
ers. But no sound reached her from
overhead.
She was on the point of whisper
ing, "Is all well2" when n cry, as
though some ono had received n
keen stab, caught her ear. Next mo-
ment something fell heavily beside
the boat The water was splashed
up upon her hands and face.
The first thought that came into
the girls head was about the box.
1t had dropped out of Cartwright's
hand and had fallen into the river,
but next moment she became aware
that some one was struggling in the
water within yard of the boat.
Had Martin Cartwright lost his
foothold and tumbled between the
beams into the Thamesi In an in
stant she had let go her hold upon
the rope and had seized the lantern
lying in the stern ready at hand.
She cast searching light into the
river in tho direction in which she
had heard the splash. Nothing cross
ed tho circle of light.
And now the tide had turned. The
boat was drifting. She bent eagerly
over the stern, still searching. A
sense of dread lest Cartwright
should be carried away, carried be-
yond reach of her aid, had taken q
hold upon her. She had opened her
lips to utter his name. But of a sud-
den the light fell distinctly upon the
face of a man, his head uncovered,
vigorously breasting the ebb tide.
The face was uplifted to her own.
She uttered stifled cry, and the
lantern which she still held over the
water fell from her hand.
1t WIS the face of Andrew Mawle,
v =. 4 IL II