Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-03-01

An inward struggle convulsed the
young mans slender frame.
"Why not?" he said Mt last. you
said that he still loves me-" y.
at would not be honest" she replied
1T would be theft. Can't you make
this do?"
Australia is long way off," said he
Il think my father ought to contribute
something"
NO." said she, firmly, II will not
consent, and You should not ask me-"
I'm afraid it's all up with me-"
said the convict. sinking into a chair.
Miss Acton reflected deeply.
1T Is possible If asked my aunt she
might do something for us" she said,
shut / can't get to her now, because
there are people in the hall. Iney
might look in here If opened the
door,
There certainly are people out
there" said he. i've heard them talk
ing for the last few minutes. But ]
could hide, you know"
True" said Miss Acton, land per-
haps that is the best way. Get behind
those curtains at the window"
The convict rose hastily. Miss Acton
closed the inner door of the safe and
put the key into her pocket. AS she
turned away she saw her companion
standing with his face in his hands,
while his form was shaken by convul-
sive sobs.
ITS nothing" he replied; "only-on-
ly you locked that door. You didn't
trust me. Why should you? And yet
if there was some one who did, some
one in all this world who could see
the little good there is i'm me-"
Miss Acton took the key Of the inner
safe door from her pocket and laid it
upon the table.
You see that l do trust YOU" she
said
Thank you, thank you, a thousand
times" he murmured and so strong
was his emotion that he positively stag
gered as he made his way toward his
place Of concealment.
Miss Acton passed out into the hall
which was now Highland was greatly
surprised to see in the reception-room
on the other side her aunt in CONVEX
sation with young gentlman. He
arose as Miss Acton approached, and
she was the better able to admire his
exceptionally fine physique. His face
matched his form, being remarkable
for strength and beauty, and, more
over, il had for her an aspect Of famil-
iarity. He looked as much like the
master of the house as was possible
considering the difference of their ages.
Mildred" said that young lady's
aunt in Il voice betraying considerable
agitation, this gentleman is Dr. Vane
my husbands SON.
Mildred knew that Mr.. Vane had but
one son-and the other things that she
knew or suspected in that moment will
readily occur to the reader. Without
a word to the visitor she darted back
across the hall. The library door was
locked. In another instant she was
back again in the reception-room.
III. sht lneTc 10 u
thief in the library. l have given him
all my money and the key to the safe
| thought he was YOU"
Thought he was ~ exclaimed the
young man, astonded.
Yes: | thought you were in Sing
Sing, and that you had escaped, and"
Thought l was in Sing Singw he
cried. $50 1 was. l am assistant to
the prison physician, and have escap-
ed-for couple of days. But this
thief! We must catch him. He has
locked the door? Then I'll break it
down"
''No, no." exclaimed Mildred; run
around to the window. He will escape
that way. Auntie, call the servants"'
She flew to the outer door, dragging
Vane after her. In moment she was
racing around the house. Mrs. Vanc
had run through the hall to collect a
posse of male dependents.
Mildred, left alone, FASTENED to the
library door and listened. Instantly
the door was opened and the convict
sprang out into the hail.
I'm much obliged to you for sending
the others away he called out as he
fed by her. You're a pretty bright
girl don't think
Mildred sat down on the stairs and
burst into tears of rage. She paid no
attention when her aunt, with the
servants in her wake. rushed to join
in the pursuit. Not till she heard the
voice of Vanc, returning, did she raise
her head.
You will beg the young lady's par
don for all that you have DONE was
what Mildred heard.
Looking up she saw Vane holding
the culprit by the collar.
II recognize this fellow" the young
physician continued. His name is
Irving. His home is only few miles
from here, and it is not strange that he
should have selected this house for n
robbery that should help him in his
fight"
HE need not apologize to me- said
Mildred. II don't deserve it,"
When the elder Mr.. Vane returned
to his home on the following day he
heard the story Of his sons adventure.
1t lost nothing by Mildred's telling.
The young man appeared as her
rescuer from the clutches of desper-
ate brigand.
1t transpired that the quarrel be-
tween father and son turned upon n
question Of marriage, Vane, Jr., OBJ
jecting to uniting himself for life to
-. Lii. nnInntoI Cor him ~ hon hot IA