The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1901-02-09

She could see absolutely nothing. But
what was it that she hcardf Surely
some one was moving softly over the
heavy carpet
"Who's thcrc?" cried the girl.
The only answer was Il sound of
scurryng feet. Some one was run
ming toward the door communicable.
with the conservatory. Instantly tn,
knob clicked sharply, but the door did
not open because it was locked, as Miss
Acton well knew.
The girl had an impulse to Scrral
and another to run away, but lcl
strongest desire was for light. She
feared darkness more than the mys-
terry that it hid.
1t required less time than the tick of
clock for her to turn on the gas in
the drop light and strike the match
that was ready in her hand. The gas
ignited 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 conscrva
tory door and his outstretched hands
upon the wall as if to steady him stood
q young man, tall, lean and pale. He
wore a long black overcoat. but it was
hung open and revealed the garb of n
convict.
Miss Acton let her pent up breath cS-
cape from her lips with n sound like 4
sigh of relief
"Do not be alarmed" she said. 81
know who YOU are, ana | will not be.
trav Won. Sit down. and we will de
eide what il is best to do"
The couvlcts gaze was bent upon
her with painful intensity. She seated
hCrrclf hv the table, and he advanced
toward her with the hcsitatin- stealth.
mess Of 4 cat.
"Somr one will come" he said in q
whisncr.
"No," she replied. "My aunt has
gone to her room, aud the servants
have their duties. However. if You n,
afraid. YOU may lock that door"
She Indicated the one by which sh,
had entered. and he hastily locked il
Then he flung himself into an easy
chair near TO hers and fixed his cycs
upon her rs stcadfastly as their ma
turc would allow. They were dun blue
ewes, but the extraordinary rapidity Of
their restless PLAY gave them an circc,
Of brilliancy which suited well thc
character Of his face. 1t was Il shrcwL
face lacking the higher elements OF in
telligence. vet far above the level of
mere animal cunning.
81 read in n newspaper that YOU had
escaped" she said. but | did not sun.
pose that YOU would dare to come here
Yet | 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 II
distinct contribution to the converse.
ton.
"You don't Understand " soid tbn rirl
"Probobly Won don't know who am
Let on toll Won the whole situotiop in
q Coy words You knew of vour IN.
ther's second morriores"
"CortoinIv
"IJa married my amt ,n1 7 con,o
hero Tn Two ,,it,, thnn Inv vnn,. f,thn,,.
great kindness, we know that he hod
= son and ,,ot hi. mama could NOT H.,
mentioned in This bnueo hnt noitho,
my opnt NOR r,snIf bod tl,o sIi,btost
know,cdrn Of The cause Of thn
estronrpmnnt bntwccn Won md him
1t was only Inv occident tbot 7 found
out where Won wcrc,'
"Uow d.i if honnrnq" he asked
srrb.o,,r, r,,,, lotion 20 Ii,, loo.
spriu--thr one that he returned IN.
opened. noticed the Sing Sing most.
mark on ii when it came. or course !
did not then know it was from Won
but he wrote the return direction unon
the envclopc. He sat at this table, and
aftervard saw upon the blottcr Il
part of the address reversed. of course
but legiblc. The State Prison and
your middle name, Irving"
Arthur Irving Vane. Well?"
Then | knew that you were n con
Wet ana II was easy to guess that
your CRIME ana your disgrace had
caused your lather TO rcnounce you.
pu' h' me zen you secret; he loves
you YET khoW III am sure OF 1t;
anu 'iid' IS why am gong to help you
touI5Ht. lnOu%n he would never forgive