The Portland daily press., 1900-08-22

match in her hand The big
She could see absolutely nothing. But
what was 1t that she heard? Surely
some one was moving softly over the
heavy carpet.
''Who's thereW cried the girl
The only answer was a sound Of
scufrying feet. Some one was run
ming toward the door communicating
with the conservatory. Instantly the
knob clicked sharply, but the door did
not open because. it was locked, as Miss
Acton well knew.
The girl had an impulse to scream
and another to run away, but her
strongest desire was for light. She
feared darkness more than the mys-
terry that it hid.
1t required less time than the tick Of
a clock for her to turn on the gas in
the drop light and strike the match
that was ready in her hand. The gas
4gnited with explosive suddenness. All
that was in the room seemed to leap
into being out Of the vanishing shad-
ows.
With his back against the conserya-
tory door and his outstretched hands
upon the wall as if to steady him stood
a young man, tall, lean and pale. He
wore a long black oyercoat but it was
hung open and revealed the garb Of a
convict
Miss Acton let her pent up breath es-
cape from her lips with a sound like a
sigh of relief.
"Do not be alarmed" she said. II
know who you are and will not be-
tray you. Sit down, and we will de-
eide what it is best to do"
The convict's gaze was bent upon
her with painful intensity. She seated
herself by the table, and he advanced
toward her with the hesitating stealth
mess of a cat.
"some one will come" he said in a
whisper.
"No,0 she replied. "My aunt has
gone to her room, and the servants
have their duties. However, if you are
afraid, you may lock that door,"
She indicated the one by which she
had entered, and he hastily locked it.
Then he flung himself into an easy
chair near to hers and fixed his eyes
upon her as steadfastly as their ma
ture would allow. They were dull blue
eyes. but the extraordinary rapidity Of
their restless play gave them an effect
of brilliancy which suited well the
character Of his face. 1t was a shrewd
face lacking the higher elements of in
telligence, yet far above the level Of
mere animal cunning
81 read in a newspaper that you had
escaped" she said, "but did not sup
pose that you would dare to come here.
Yet I believe that your father expect
ed you and that he went away to avoid
the risk of meeting you"
The convict said nothing, but the in
tensity Of his facial expression was a
distinct contribution to the converse
tion
"You don't understand" said the girl
probably you don't know who am.
Let me tell you the whole situation in
a few words. You knew of your fa-
theirs second marriage?"
Certainly"
"He married my aunt and I came
here to live with them by your fathers
great kindness. We knew that he had
a son, and that his name could not be
mentioned in this house. but neither
my aunt nor myself had the slightest
knowledge of the cause Of the
estrangement between you and him.
1t was only by accident that 1 found
out where you were"
chow did it happen?" he asked.
Through your letter to him last
Bpring-the one that he returned I'M
opened. noticed the Sing Sing post
mark on it when it came. OF course I
did not then know it was from you.
but he wrote the return direction upon
the envelope. He sat at this table, and
afterward l saw upon the blotter a
part of the address reversed, Of course,
but legible. The State Prison. and
your middle name, IRVING"
arthur Irving Vane. WellY
"Then I knew that you were con-
Fict, and it was easy to guess that
your crime and your disgrace had
caused your father to renounce you.
But let me tell you a secret; he loves
you yet. I know it; I am sure of it;
and that is why am going to help you
tonight, though he would never forgive
me if he knew It,"
"And you read of my escapeY
Eyes. I read a few days ago that
convict named Irving had escaped
with two others. l knew, Of course,
that you had dropped your last name
for your family's sake when you were
arrested"
There was moments silence. Then
the young man leaned forward with
his face close to hers, and asked in
low, intense voice, "What are you go
ing to do for me?7
"What do you needY She asked.
Food? A hiding placer
He sprang to his feet SO suddenly