Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-11-15

"1hen don't be deluded any longer
declared Jedrey, literally beside himself
with glee. ''She is no more dead tl:;n
you are. She has been craving all these
weary years to see her beloved husband
And, by the way. capital, and plenty OF
it, is the only thing to quiet herr"
IF you do not instantly depart"
shouted the banker, clenching his hands
fiercely, Il will kill you'll swear it,"
'The threat" he said, sis both empty
and foolish. However, | will obey your
command if you promise to obey mine.
The sole object of this visit, on behalf
of Alice, is money. Money we must
e-shall have. The amount decided
upon IS 100000. Do you agree to pay
lt?n
Twenty thousand pounds?" muttereG
the banker. Eyes! l agreei But can
not pay it now, or here"
That is immaterial," chuckled JedreY,
advancing and unlatching the window.
''Your word and my knowledge are suf-
ficient. Meet me ON the other side of the
lennon Arches, two nights hence, after
dark. Be sure to bring the money. FAN
TO do so, and Alice herself will call upon
Your wifei"
Shuddering at the appalling menace,
Horace fastened the window and then.
silently praying for some way of escape,
he FASTENED to unlock the door of the
room, to find his wife, clad only in q
loose, fimsy dressing gown. She had
tainted away.
Lifting her tenderly in his arms. he
carried her back to her own room. where
ne successfully applied restoratives.
She had awakened, it seems. III the
midst of dreadful dream. She thought
he was in danger, that she might lose
him, that they would soon be parted for.
ever. And Horace, with / cruel. aching
pain at his heart, realized how prophetic
must the dream become.
To remain with his wife. should Alice
chance to be alive, was utterly out of
the question. His conscience and integ.
rity, the whole man in him forbade that.
He would prove the dream either true
or false, even though the result might
break his heart.
The next day, therefore, he instructed
his valet to pack his portmanteaus, and
forward the same to him directly he sent
for them. Then he called on his lawyer,
an old college chum.
George" he said brokenly, gripping
his hand, certain circumstances have
arisen which may necessitate my leaving
the country. | shall know definitely to-
morrow night Everything is horribly
unreal as yet. But there, ask me no
details, there's good fellow. Only
pledge your word to take this explana-
ton to my wife. Comfort her, George,
in memory of the old days. Let no harm
befall her. don't allow her to grieve or
fret, settle my affairs for her.
And ere the astonished man of law
could accept or refuse the trust, Horace
had rushed away.
How the intervening hours passed,
Horace was never clearly conscious.
The appointed time. however, at last
drew near, and, faint and haggard, he
quickly repaired to the place of meet
ing ANXIOUS, yet dreading. to learn the
worst. Jedrey was already there, and
stepped forward from the shadow OF one
of the arches.
That's right he said, briskly, Tin
glad | did not mistake my man. Brought
the money, l suppose"
why else should | be here?' replied
Horace striving to conceal his trembling
apprehension. Yet even YOU cannot eN-
pect ne to pay until Ahcc is produced
alive"
"I.,at IS easily done" said jeffrey,
keenlv enjoying his discontinue. Fol
low me; it isn't far
Detected and wretched, with every
hope now shattered. Horace trudged
n,o,unfully in the wake of his guide.
". had they thought to look behind,
they must inevitably have detected three
figures creeping stealthily after them.
Presently dull patch of light became
visible. It shOne from the window OF a
small square cottage. old and dilapi-
dated, whose door openo,. readily to the
touch.
The interior was n combined living and
sleeninr apartment. \ low, filthy bed
occupied one corner.
In a chair at che side, sat, or rather
swaved. a woman truly indescribable.
Coarse matted hair hung dankly about
her head and shoulders. Her features,