The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-28

He inserted the key and raised the |
lid. Hush! What noise was that? Tut, |
1t was nothing; only his fancy or the
wind signing among the trees.
He removed the money and the con-
tents Mr.. Graham has placed there In
the evening, and searched for the screw
which he had to press to make his
drawer fly open.
Nes, there IL was. In an instant his
thumb was upon It., In another the
concealed drawer was exposed. There,
sure enough, was bulky packet Of
bank notes.
Edwards face cleaned with satis-
foction.
In his excitement ne kissed the pack
ct. Then he pressed the spring and
the drawer flew back. What was that?
Footsteps on the stairs and in the
hail. and loud cries of:
"Thieves! Thieves,'
If he were found there he would be
ruined forever. What was he to do?
His brain was in Il whirl. There
was not an instant to be lost. and he
could devise no plan Of escape.
The footsteps were rapidly approach
ing the door. In another instant the
alarmed servants would burst into the
room and find him.
His eye caught the window, and n
wild idea that If he once got into the
grounds he might in some way be abl.
to mingle unobserved with the excited
members of the household seized him.
Let loose the dogs.' he heard Il
voice cry, and his heart flew to his
mouth.
Mr.. Graham had pair of blood
hounds notorious for their ferocity.
Let loose the dogs! Good heavens, he
would be torn to pieces.
ITS all up now" he groancd. 'If
I was to declare myself the dogs would
have me just the they wouldn't
spare me. Old Graham will think I
was after his money, and If tell him
the truth he will still think I am a
thief. There's nothing for it but to
run. If I lose the girl-and it's all
over in that quarter now-1've got the
G2,5O0. If I explain matters / shall
have to part with half the money
have worked so hard to get, and lose
the girl into the bargain. I must run
for it,
Some such thoughts as these hurried
with lightning speed through his mind,
and he flew across the brown lawn at
a rate man had surely never gone be-
| fore.
| The voices of the people gradually
| grew less distinct. When, painting and
almost exhausted. he reached the
boundary wall. all was silent. He
paused for a second, and then climbed
over and dropped into the road. Then
he pushed on for Ayr.
| AS he grew calmer he saw he had
made most confounded mess of the
business. After his behavior it would
be difficult, If not impossible, to per-
suade Mr.. Graham that he had not
some intention of robbing him. for.
since he was determined not to tell
the truth. he could give no feasible
explanation of his conduct.
ITS not so bad, after all" he NUT
tered, striving to console himself "Old
Graham. for his own sake, won't take
any proceedings against me, and so
the case stands like this. I've lost
the girl, but got the money. If ! had
married her daresay she's have spent
more than she brought me. I'd see the
best woman breathing at the bottom
of the sea for G2,500. I'll keep out of
the way for Il bit, and then let
them talk as they like. It's Il good
job he added. with a sordid grin,
that | didn't take much luggage with
me. There was precious little in that
bag"
When Edward reached Ayr he was
rather doubtful what to do. He was
without boots. he had no hat, and UNI
derneath his light overcoat he had only
a shirt
"Boldness does it," he exclaimed. So
he walked straight to the police sta
ton, informed the officer on duty that
Mr.. Graham's house had been broken
into, and that he had chased one OF
the thieves to Ayr, and had lost him
there.
No. he did not care to return to his
friends that night The excitement
had upset him. He would like to get
a bed ut one of the hotels.
This the police managed for him, and
he went to sleep with a grin upon his
ce, hugging the bundle of notes.
He did not sleep long. He rose early
in the morning, told the waiter to pur.
chase boots. hat and a common coat
for him. ate a hasty breakfast, ant
called for his bill.
In payment he handed the man one
of his uncles notes. He had no Other
money about him.
The man soon returned with it, "Thi.
won't do, sir" he said with a smile.
What do you mean?" Edward cried
snatching the note from the fellow
hand. whats the matter with it?'
why, sir" he said. that banl
stopped payment years ago. That not
is only waste paper!"
Sn II was FOnl that ha had haon. I,
his excitement he had not noticed this
He turned little pale. This note. h
argued. got among the rest by acci
dent. The others would be all right.
'l Hastily he pulled the formidabl
bundle from his pocket and with fever
ish fingers he examined each note
Horror and confusion! They We're a.
on the one bank. There was mot on
of them worth the paper upon which |
was printed.
Mr.. Graham was exceedingly indig
nant at the outrage to which he ha
been subjected. He could not for
moment doubt that Edwards desig
had been to rob him. While he was I'm
Weighing against the fellows mon
strous villainy, Hilda urged Harry
suit with such success that her fathe
ultimately promised to give the youn
man a hearing. Soon ne agreed to ac
eept him as a son-in-law. lie did th
, perhaps the more readily for the 70
lowing reason:
When Edward withdrew the note
from the secret drawer he pulled an
other paper with them.
This, unnoticed by him, fell anon
. Mr.. Graham's documents. 1t turned OF
. to be a more recent will than that
, | Mr.. WeaSel'S pOSsesSion. In IL IL