Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-07-08
bearing with them perhaps her cha,es q

bearing bearing with them perhaps her cA'''' II
To lose this opportunity must be 10 lose
oil. Not one Of those surrounding her
would consent to post letter for her; and
she had no money at hand with which to
bride anyone. Her father--no. no, the
man who dared 40 to call himself!-would
be with her with the morning light, and
then how should she cvadc him?
But there was another thought mingled
with all this dread In Mabel's mind-a
thought which set her heart beating with
hope; for, II her surmise was correct, the
way was open for her.
Jane had certainly carried away the key
carefully slung upon her fnger-Mabel
had not only heard but seen the woman do
so. for she had watched her furtively as
she crossed the room--but. so far as Ma
bel saw, she had not locked the door be-
fore withdrawing the key. Was II that
she was too much absorbed in her book to
notice the omission? Or had her sudden
consciousness Of the latencss Of the hour
Aurried her? Surely Mabel herself had
made no mistake about this-surely the
door was not locked!
| It was not only Jane who was late 10
retiring to rest, thought the tortured girl,
who was waiting for her guardians to be
wrapped In slumber before she dared
make her venture; Mrs. Jones did not
come upstairs ill It was nearly midnight,
shutting the door somewhat n0isily after
her-indeed, the woman appeared to have
been opening and shutting the doors all
the evening.
At length silence reigned In the cottage,
aud James deep breathing, amounting
now to heavy snoring, announced that
there was little danger that any ordinary
noise would disturb her. Now was the
time--now!
Hardly breathing. Mabel slipped from
the couch, and In the dim light went softly
across the floor and turned the handle Of
the door. Oh, what moment was that
In which she tried the lock and found her
conjecture right! Jane had not locked the
door, after ali! II opened softly, without
noise, without difiiculty!
Mabel, trembling with hope and fear.
could see into the dim passage beyond.
Tic, tactic, tactic, tao! How loudly
the hall clock seemed to tell out the min.
utes! Mabel listened only to assure her.
self that Mrs. Jones was In her room
then In extreme agitation put on her dress,
drew on the cloak containing the precious
letter, and. without looking for hat or bon
net. glided toward the stairs.
Hush! Was that movement below
For an instant she gasped with madden
Ing fear, then recovered herself, feeling
that her excitement confused her. Cour
age! In q little while she would stand q,
the house door; there would be only thu
opening Of IL!
She cast one frightened glance at Ii,
! room which she had just quilted; then
holding by the balusters, descended to thu
ground door. She had gained the hall
walking with slippered feet, when In q
, instant she became aware, by the smoth
. cred murmur Of voices, that there wer,
, others awake besides herself--two Der
sons 1t least In the little room which open
ed out Of the hall. close to the spot wher'
she stood!
. Then, by one Of those swift intuition
} which come In moments Of supreme dan
/ ger, she OWNED the truth. Her father
D 10 called-her dreaded father-had arriv
. ed Unexpectedly. bringing her uncle will
him. They must have come that evening
, after she was supposed to be sleeping
, after Mrs. Feathers and Mary had start
ed. No doubt Mrs. Jones had told som,
I plausible tale concerning the absence o.
the housekeeper: and the sudden arriva
} Of the two men was the cause Of the con
slant shutting and opening Of the door
which she-Mabcl-had heard In be
room!
All this flashed through her mind In
. second: her intense fear made her DELFT
! crate for moment, and In that pause th
. handle Of the door turned. They wer
/! coming out-they would meet her face I
. face-there was no time to retreat!
With the calmness and hopelessness Q
. complete desperation, Mabel took one ate
. backward. hiding herself behind sewers
long cloaks that hung from the pegs In th
hall. The man calling himself her fathe
!. came first; her uncle followed.
"Wait one moment" said he. % the n
/! puted Charlford was about to walk Il
= ward the stairs. Don't do anything rast
! ". You seem to me to be losing you
. head"
Goodness 10 best In such q case" hisse
9 the other. LET me get her safely out q
. England, and she shall never come BAG
: to scare met
= "And suppose her sisters are import,
. nate aud insist on seeing herf There
= Dick, too, on your hands; you cannot kee
him away forever"
= Will USU4e UoVoBesy tSosu wv up
= Of John Charlford's companion.
1T will be awkward" said the othe
= "Aud what 10 to be done with Lane7 70
= are mad to think OF Guiding his demands.
: leave him to mel" sold the presume
Charlford.
: "Take care what you dor urged Uncl
? John. "Where 10 he at this momeutT"
. AT the old lodsiuos-nor 10 he likely
: leave them till he either pockets the Who'll
Of bis money or comes to my TERMS" wa
the answer.
. "what are your terms?' asked Job
y Charlford.
= "Leave that to mel" rejoined the othe
- "Filton, you alarm me when you adoI
= that tone" said Uncle John.
- "Do II Then you had getter 90 to be
= there 10 at least NO cause to be alarme
J" tonight. Here We are under snug roc
In q free land: and, 90 we both mean
|. satisfy Mr.. Horace Lane. we are secur
your lovely niece slumbers above. VIII,
= joyful surprise for her when she mee
:" us both at breakfast In the morning
!. Come. John. let's to bed; there 10 enouG
- to do tomorrow, as you know. Lane
I. up to something which even ! cannot fat
- ON. He will want more gold from us-s'
n II am not right-and mean to stop It
!, Again John Charlford responded vii
h the words; "FNilt0a. You alarm me-" an
m again the man so addressed laughed q 10
h laugh Of hooking defiance.
swell, you must keep Lane quiet till
u have disposed Of Mabel. I'm of to be-