The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-10-30

with the glow and reflection
of a big. cheerful fire. Drawn
rear TO this was a round oak table COW
red and Uttered by documents Of all
descriptions: while beside it with his
read resting on his arms. Horace Nor
life banker and broker, sat souudly
ileeping
Outside the easement window, whose
.urtain had not been lowered, was u
lace sharp as that of any fox. The
mall eyes. intense and glistening. were
ixed immovably on the slumbering
nan. and the slim, dapper body quiy-
,red with triumphant excitement at the
sight.
Cautiously inserting clasp knife
blade. he deity forced up the hasp,
hen stepped within, closes the window
md dropped the curtain.
Gliding noiselessly to the door, he
mrned the key in the lock.
presently, however he SHOOK the
banker smartly by the shoulder y
iponse he received. Bat O vigorous
slap on the back brought Horace to
ais feet with bound. Staring about
him. dazed and beUildcred he finally
perceived the amused intruder. at
whom be gazed long and incredibly.
-'Who are you;" he demanded when
ais astonishment permitted. "Wha; DO
g0u want hcre:'
II answer to Jedrey, and my business
lere swell. rather peculiar"
''Then state It quickly and bcgone,"
said Horace stelnly. with his hand on
.he bell, "unless you wish to be ar
.ested."
You may ring Yourself blue, my
lear sir" returned Jedrey, but no one
will heed you. 1t has turned -. and
HE servants are all in bed. Besides.
con would be wise to hear me. A man
,f your prominence should always
lave a clear character and not mere
oretenCe to one
-'Why. what do You mean:' said Hor-
ice sharply.
Mean" ratorcd Jed:cy Il mean
- tell your history better even than
Vou know II yourself"
He then sietcAed the bankers career
II an accurate manner lie 10 d ihow
when a susceptible young man hr had
married a woman who. olde" than him
self. afterward proved TO lie unworthy
IF the love be had bestowed upon her
sither before or after ne had made her
his wife. As he had desired TO avoid
the scandal of q divorce he had LETT
Ter to seek his fortune in distant city
Reports that came TO him from his old
home told of the woman's downfall
Disappearance, and finally of her death.
After several years had passed he had
met and married his present wife and
was enjoying 10 the full the happiness
Of perfect love Much as he regretted
20 disturb this happiness, the visitor
continued. he was obliged TO inform
him that his first wife was not dead,
but living and anxious to see him.
Heavens" exclaimed Horace, all
apathy vanishing in sudden dismay.
"Allcc alive: Alive? But no; impos-
siblel 1t is falsc-hldcously false. Be
yond the slightest doubt she committed
suicide"
Have you ever had absolute proof
that the buried woman was actually
your Wife,
mo. but
"Then done DO deluded any longer,
declared Jedrey. literally beside him
self with slee "She is no more dead
than you are. She has been craving al
these weary years to see her beloved
husband And by the way, capital
and plenty of il. is the only thing tC
quiet her."
III you dc not instantly depart
shouted the banker clenchlng hi.
lands herccly, Il win Kill y0u-I sweal
Il"
"The threat" he said. "is both empty
and foolish. However. l win obey you
command If you promise 10 obey mine
The sole object OF this visit. on behal
OF Alice, Is money. Money We mus
have-shall have. The amount decided
upon is 100000. DO YOU agree to pa!
III"
Twenty thousand poundsj' NUT
tered the banker. "Ycs! agree. Bu
l cannot pay Il now, or here
THAT is immaterial," chuckled Jed
Tey, advancing and unlatchlng the win
dow. Your word ana my knowledg
are sufficient. Meet me on the otlie
side of the Demon Arches, two night
hence. after dark. BE sure to bring tn
money. Fail to do So and Alice hersel
VIII call upon your wife,
Shuddering at the appalling menace
Horace fastened the window and then
silently praying for some way OF es
cape. he hastened 10 unlock the doc
of the room. to find his wife. ella
only In loose nlmsy dressing gown
She had tainted away.
Lifting her lenderly IL his arms, h
carried her. back to her own room
where he successfully applied restor,
tiycs.
She lad awakened. Il seems, IN III
midst OF q dreadful dream. Sh
thought he was IL danger. that sh
might lose him. that they would 500
be parted forever Aud Horace, with
cruel. aching pain n his heart. realize
how prophetic must tie dream becom,