The Afro-American advance., 1900-02-17
Return Of the DiSinherited

Hark as cave. She could see n absolute-
II nothing, but what was it she heard? :?
Surely some one WAS moving softly over
the heavy carpet.
who's there ~ cried the girl.
The only answer was sound of sour
rying feet. Some one was hurryiDg to-
ward the door communicating with the
conservatory. Instantly the knob
elicked sharply, but the door did not
open because it was locked, as Miss
Acton well knew.
fhe girl had an impulse TO scream
And another to run away, but her
Strongest desire was for light. She
tared darkness more than the mystery
Hat il hid.
1t required less time than the tick
a clock for her TO turn on the gas
h the drop light and strike the match
anat was ready in her hand. The gas
as ignited with explosive suddenness.
al that was in the room seemed 10
zap into being out OF the vanishing
adows.
With his back against the conserva
aory door and his outstretched hands
fpon the wall, as If to steady him,
ktood young man. tall, lean and pale.
De wore a long black overcoat. but
u was hung open and revealed the garb
d Z a convict.
DO not be alarmed" she said. Il
know who you are, and | will not be
n ray you. Sit down, and We will decide
shat il is best to do.
IL read in newspaper that you had
scaped," she said. but l did not sup
bose that YOU would dare to come here
h ct | believe that your father expected
you and that he went away to avoid
he risk of meeting YOU
The convict said nothing, but the
intensity Of his facial expression was
b distinct contribution to the converse
on.
You don't understand" said the girl.
&Probably you don't know who | am.
Jet me tell you the whole situation in
h few words. You knew of your IA
thers second marriage?'
Certainly"
N "He married my aunt, ard | came
here to live with them by your IA
ther's great kindness. We knew that
lie had a son, and that his name could
rot be mentioned in this house, but
neither my aunt nor myself had the
slightest knowledge OF the cause of
the arrangement between you and
m, 1t was only by accident that /
ioaad out where you were"
How did it happen?" he asked.
Through your letter to him last
9ring-the one that he returned un-
pened. l noticed the Sing Sing post
mark on it when it came. OF course.
did not then know it was from you,
hut he wrote the return direction upon
he envelope. He sat at this table. and
atterward l saw upon the blotter part
q the address reversed, of course, but
,rgible: The State Prison. and your
middle name: Irving"
I'll Arthur Irving Nane. Well?"
Then / knew that you were 4 con-
N Wet, and ii was easy 10 guess that your
crime and your disgrace had caused
our father to renounce you. But let
me tell you secret: he loves you yet.
know it; l 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 escape?"
Yes; | read few days ago that a
q. convict named Irving had escaped with
Two others. j knew, Of course, that You
Ell had dropped your last name for yonr
;amily's sake when you were arrested" "
There was a moments silence. Then
81 the young man leaned forward with his
f.f-l 1fg 4 l.. = Fxsv.
Intense voice: What are you going to
III co for me?''
What DO you need?" she asked.
Ia Food? \ hiding placer"
He sprang to his feet so suddenly
that the girl was frightened almost
10 the point of crying.
Money, money!" he whispered.
81 That's what ] need. With money
enough l can get out Of this country
and begin a new life on the other side
ot the world. II | go back TO prison
ii Z will kill al the good that's in me.
L don't--lf ] get c'ean away-who
saows what / can make OF myself2"
Il believe that there is much truth
i1 What you say she replied "lt
Fl could have advised you before you
broke out of prison / would have told
81 You 70 serve your sentence and ther
begin life anew. But / know that il
You are captured now you viii have
% serve years and years in addition &c
Your original sentence. / cannot ash
II 9oa To do that. II is very wrong oi
u5s but I shall help you 10 escape
Haw much money do You need %
More than you can get. I'm afraid.
said he. gloomiIy. II must make Aus
'rslia somehow"
There was a safe built into the wal
ct the library Miss Acton walked al
e Il, turned the knob Of the eosnbina
lon lock and swung open the irof
e7aF Within was a second door q
'Aia metal, which the girl openea b,
a'ears Of key that she took from hel
81 poeket.
81 iAere sers books Of acconnfx on eaet
81 ge of the safe within, and befwers
sasm three little drawers. With pigeon
aa.ss abose ard below. Miss Arfnr
',ak r9ll o. money from tie lowes
= tAs drawers ard handed I. tE II,
''aFiei. ~ ceurts4 il rapidly.