The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-21
CHAPTER XII.
DISGUISED.

With empty hands and empty heart,
Arnold Dacre stood regarding the wreck
Of his last hope. Sin had brought its tit
reward.
His soul sank as he realized that those
babbling lips might never betray the
secret of the missing package. or, il ever,
too late to avail him, for flight was now
more imperative than ever. With an
abundance of money, he could pick his
path to safety, penniless, he was as for
lorn a fugitive as the escaped %ex-convlct
himself.
THE moneY-the money!-wbere was
it-would it escape him after all his
careful plotting? The thought burned
into his Keeling brain, and coupled with
it was the bitter knowledge that he had
lost Flora Merwyn, that every waning
hour might be bringing the resolute
avenger, Ray Webster, closer and closer
upon his track.
For Ray Webster was alive-he knew
it. circumstances proved it, and the fair,
crushed girl who had seen her lover seem.
ingly dashed to his doom, and had fran.
ticallY rushed away to share the fate OF
q beloved father, had mourned him
yalnly.
Stunned, benumbed, helpless, Ray
Webster had been flung by the treach.
erous waters OF the river upon a broad
rock. There, painting, neryeless, he had
lain for an hour Or more. e.
What the scheming scoundrel Arnold
Dacre had theorized as to his latter
movements, was practically correct. He
had finally gained sufficient strength to
swim ashore to find Flora gone, and too
late to overtake and warn her imperiled
father, but not too late to resolve to de-.
feat the schemes of the man whose false
testimony had placed npon him the
brand of the convict.
He knew-ah! how surely he knew!
that careful plotting had robbed him OF
his good name. He knew that the fail
| ure of the bank must be the work of his
| enemy, Arnold Dacre. By secluded
lanes, stealing from shelter to shelter,
fearing recognition, pursuit, arrest, he
finally gained the stables of the Merwyn
homestead, and thence the court that
terminated directly under the windows
of the private Office of the bank.
His had been the hand that had placed
VIC jduuCl akdluoV WIG WlIoO" OH, Liz
the face that had peered in on a scene
that fully evidenced the v~illainy of the
f~alse-hearted cashier. He heard his in
junction to Wharton, he realized the
peril Of Flora, he d seemed his own
weakness as a champion-le, a hunted
fugitive! He saw Flora shut into the
dark vault. Then, his pulses %throbbing,
be sprang into the room, once it was
vacated. Memory supplied the old
combination to the lock. Still senseless,
he bore Flora from the apartment, down
the ladder, across the court, and, plac.
ing her tepderly among the soft cushions
of the carriage, tried to think out the
difficult problem Of the hour.
Confinement and suffering had sharp
ened his reasoning faculties. As he re-
aected on the boldness and power of bis
INSCRIPTIONS enemy. he decided that his
first move must be to convey Flora to
place. of safety. He dared not even trust
the ho%usekeeper. Planning swiftly, he
attached the horses to the vehicle.
Drawing its curtains and DOMINIC the
enveloplng cloak and sheltering SLOUGH
hat of the driver. he boldly sped from
the scene. Mile after mile be traversed.
He had a definite point Of progress ir
view. He reached it tinally-a lonely,
sequestered cabin in the woods. Re
moving Flora. be placed her tenderly or
a rustic bench. Then, turning the
horses heads homewards again, he struck
them a sharp blow, and steeds ant
vehicle soon disappeared in the distance
He approached the open, vine emoow'
cred window of the cottage with al
eager face. 1t frightened quickly as he
peered in.
Seated in an old-fashioned rocker
humming a homely tune and sewing, sa'
an old woman whose sad, patient smile
and silvered hair formed an aureole o.
angelic beauty to that careworn face.
She looked up with a nervous start a:
he stepped across the threshold. Their
the slight token of fear disappeared
from her face. aad she arose with ex
tended arms and beaming eyes.
'Oh! Mr.. Webster, my friend, it 1:
you? Welcome! welcome"
Ray Webster looked earnestly into the
tear-stained, friendly face.
"MrS. Alden" he said gravely, 81 see
yon are surprised, you wonder how l., q
convict"
"a convict? A martyr! Oh, Mr..
Webster! do you think that for a mo-
mcnt believed you guilty? l have writ.
ten you, l tried to see You"
''Yes, yes, | know. We will talk of that
! later" interrupted Ray seriously. do
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