The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-18

street. He had not gone many yards
before his arm was grasped by man
coming from the opposite direction.
1t was Grimes.
"Quick-tell me-" he said, in a
hoarse whisper. ''Is all safe?'
Grimes laughed at the terror be-
trayed in his voice before replying:
"Of course it is
Frankison grasped his hand with =
sigh of relief. The chief difficulty
had been Overcome-success was
practically certain. Returning to his
rooms he listened eagerly to a re-
cital of Thompson's capture, and
gave expression to his satisfaction
by presenting Grimes with a cheque
for half the amount agreed upon.
Next morning, as an invited guest,
he Joined the wedding party, and in
due time arrived at the church. Not
a sign was to be seen of his confed.
crate, but presently the bride entered
and took up her position by the altar
rails. She looked fearfully i'll, and
leaned heavily on the arm of an old
gentleman, a friend of the family,
who was to give her away. Frank
ison gazed upon her with an almost
satanic look upon his features, and
saw with intense satisfaction the sur
prised expression on her face give
way to one of absolute pain as the
time passed and no bridegroom APP
peared. He himself had tasted sus-
pense the night previously, and cal
| culated to degree the effect it was
having upon her. The whispered ex-
pectaRcy of the congregation lapsed
into low murmur of consolation
and sympathy for the bride, and
even Frankison began to anticipate
failure.
Suddenly the sound of carriage
being driven rapidly in the direction
of the church was heard, and an au-
dible cat Iast!" went round the
building as the bridegroom, flushed
with haste and excitement, appeared
AS he hurried up the aisle his eyes
sought those of FranBison, and the
prearranged signal of success was
given.
The ceremony was at once proceed
ed with, and soon the assumed bride
groom led his almost fainting bride
away.
| Arrived at home, as soon as it was
decently possible Frankison gave
| Grimes the sign to retire, and after
| apologizing to his guests he did so.
Frankison would have enjoyed the
sight of the newly-made brides
agony on being made acquainted with
her true position, but considering
the possibility of danger arising he
denied himself the pleasure, and soon
afterwards departed.
Grimes, who had removed his dis
| guise, was waiting his arrival at the
! place appointed, with the news that
| the letter had already been dis
patched. After congratulating him
| upon the success of the plot Frank
| isOn handed him a cheque for $50,
being, with the amount already re-
ceived $50 more than the total
agreed upon.
! He could afford to be generous;
| the manner in which the suspense
! in the church had affected his cousin
convinced him he would not have to
wait long for his increased income,
and. moreover. the fact that Grimes
had already purchased his ticket and
made arrangements for leaving the
country that day was worth more
than the extra amount he had given,
for now that the scheme had been
carried through he felt an aversion
akin to fear of his accomplice.
Bidding Grimes farewell he sought
his club, and afterwards joined a
music hall party. 1t was early morn
| ing when he arrived at home. His
first thought was the gratifying one
that Grimes would by that time be
on the sea. Obtaining light he was
surprised to find two letters await
ing him. Tearing open the first he
read as follows:
Dear Sir: 1t will probably interest you
| to know that Grimes, the man you en-
ployed, decoyed me into a house last
night, but instead of making me a pris-
oner as you desired, entertained me with
an account of your diabolical scheme.
1 am at a loss to know the reason of
this onfession-probably his better man
| hood prevailed-we will hope so. Acting
| upon his suggestion. for neither of us
doubted that you would resort to more
| extreme measures if you had the slightest
| suspicion he had turned informer,
| stayed with him all night and never
| found a more entertaining host. The
| arrangements for keeping up the decep-
| ton we intended practicing upon you
were the cause of my late arrival at
| church this morning. When I obeyed
| your signal and left my wife, I simply
| retired until you had departed.
I understand you have had a large call
! upon your purse of late, and would sug-
gest the sdvisability of your recouping the
stock in other regions, otherwise I must
request my friend, Detective Superin-
| tendent Robson, to whom I have commu-
nicated the whole facts, to call upon you
| in his official capacity. Yours truly,
WILLIAM THOMPSON
The second letter was from
| Grimes:
Dear Sir: In future I would advise YOU
meyer, under any circumstances, to en-
! deavor to intimidate man with more
brains than yourself. If you want to
| succeed in our profession, be less of a
| coward, take equal risks with your ac-
complete, and for a time operate only on
such fools as yourself.
The reaction was too much for
Frankison. The rapid change from