Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-01-03
A DOUBLE RESCUE.

w the wealthy broker, Anthony v arden,
trimmed into her fathers Office one hscaA
ber afternoon she wGs the efli oauenf 81
heautiful. heaithful Is. Nodding kiuD.y 70
wards the clerks. who mad Tor a moment
ceased their scribbling, she approached the
door Of her fathers private office. A PRIV
legged character, as she well knew, sh'
turned the knob gently, intending TO sur
prise him IN the usual way.
Her father never resented her little sur
prises, but rather enjoyed them. II was q
bright spot in a busy day when she would
come quietly in and slip up behind nun and
put her hands over his eyes to make him
guess who it was. Just as though it could
81 anyone else but her, for who else would be
permitted to take such Liberties, and espe.
eially during business hours. But An.
thony Warden loved this only daughter as
but few daughters are ever loved He could
not have rebuked her had he wished to do
so, though be had never had occasion to wish
10, for she was the sweetest OF girls with al
Of the virtues and none of the vices Of her
sex.
As She peeped into the dimly lighted room
she discovered at a glance that her father
was not there: but his confidential e.erk,
Ralph Morton,a good-looking young man Of
rs, was standing before the desk. For space
she looked puzzled by the young mans pc
culiar actionsfor he raised his hand twice
to the side Of his head as II undecided, slow
" lowered it again, and each time she
caught the CLEAN Of polished metal as 1t
flashed in the rays from the electric bulb.
Then, as if fully decided upon his action, he
partly turned his face toward her; but she,
noting the tension OF his white features, re-
allied in a fash the import Of his action, and
darting across the room snatched the deadly
weapon from his hand and held il behind
her. For space he stood, regarding with
wild eyes the beautiful, terrified face before
hsm, then, uttering low groan, he sank INTO
his chair and hid his face in bis hands.
She stood looking at him, the color gradual
" returning to her face; and then she said,
a wondering pity in her tone: 20, Mr. Nor
toni How could you think OF such a thing|
He slowly raised his head AID met her
pitying gaze wildly
why do you stop me, Miss Warden" be
said, brokenly. Il am a thief caught the
sccursed fever Of speculation and used your
fathers money. prefer death to discovery
and dishonor."
He closed his eyes as # blinded by her ae-
cusing gaze.
And do you imagine that this will save
you from dishonor| she said, gently, hold
ing out the revolver. 20, Mr.. Morton, do
YOU not realize that it will add to it? VIII
sach an act restore my fathers money or alb
solve you in the eyes Of the world and
God?" Infinite pity shone in her eyes as
she softly breathed the last word.
He did not look up, and she continued.
you are young and talented, Mr.. Morton,
perhaps above the average. The world is be-
fore you. Do you presume to dictate in this
way to the tender mercy that has bestowed
such prncely gifts upon YOU My father
may not overlook this, but there is one at
least who will How much money have you
ia-used" she concluded.
He threw out his hands despairingly.
More than can repay" be faltered. Two
thousand dollars. at least"
She remained silent so long that he ven
tured to look at her. She seemed to look
beyond him, smile like that of a pleased
child on her now flushed face-the warmth
Of high, noble resolve.
Your case requires no such desperate
remedy az this" she said, turning her face
a little from the growing eagerness Of his
gaze. "Supposing that IL replace the mon
ey, would
He sprang to his feet. mol mol Miss
Warden" he cried, entreatingly you
must not think of such a thing. ! have
sinned; | must suffer"
''You must do as / say, Mr. Morton, she
firmly replied. Ny father, know, would
not forgive you; but that is no reason for sac
rificing your future career. Besides, YOU can
repay me some day
He regarded her through mist OF tears,
then held out his hand Il will accept your
offer, Miss Warden-the offer of an angel, .
he said, husbily. But l must leave this
place and redeem myself among a strange
people"
She started little, but, laying her soft
hand in his whispered: 1T may be for the
best, but wherever you go God be with you,
and she left him.
The money that he needed and that she
had so generously promised him, came with.
in an hour or two. 1t was from her own
bank account, and it hurt him worse to ac
cept it than il would to have finished the
tragedy which she had interrupted, or even
to have lived and faced the consequences Of
his crime, but he did not see her, and she
gave him no OPPORTUNITY to again decline &c
accept her assistance.
Five years had passed since Ralph Mortor
again entered the city of his past folly. II,
| did not bring the proverbial fortune, but h
had amassed competence which many les
fortunate might envy. During all this tim
he had never forgotten the sweet-faee,
young girl-his savior. Thrice he had writ
! ten 10 her, but no answer came, and nov
when he went TO the old Office, he was toi,
that Anthony Warden had failed three year
previously and had died leaving his daughte
penniless.
Hedetermined tofnd herif money, baeke
by love, could do so; but all search was vi
availing. She had disappeared, like man
unfortunates, into that mysterious real
where despair, perhaps, is the larger POI
ton.
you will find her yet, Ralph" said b
friend, DIR. Banks, TO whom Ralph Morto
had coniided his story. 1t was bleak vii
ter evening. and they we're on their way /
the doctors home.