The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-13

uOn remember MS III commandments
quite 50 plain as maybe you can afford
to do. There's my point of view to be
considered. Mr.. Thorning. as we'll as
yours, which is a pretty tidy and COM
Portable one, as you'll admit, reckon"
What is 1t you want, sir?" asked
Mr.. Thorning, abruptly.
We'll, not to waste words, 5000
pounds was the sum I'd thought OFF,
Railway licked his lips after the re-
ply
Indeed" said Mr.. Thorning.
Yes" Railway continued. 81 didn't
suppose you'd have 1t in your pocket
either. Your promise to pay it next
week and 10 forget all this-thats good
enough for me, from a gentleman like
you"
Mr. Thorning's eyebrows rose. He
really was somewhat astonished.
20, You propose to trust me. do
your he said. "Well, to begin with,
perhaps you will either take me to my
daughter, or bring my daughter to me.
1t will be time enough then to begin
negotiations"
Railways jaw slackened visibly
I've told you my terms, SIR" he said
rather sulkily. There's no food in the
|. place for more'n me; and you may be
here till Tuesday. 1 don't reckon they
know me up at the manor, and-well,
there you are!'
You're a cool young villain!" re-
marked Mr.. Thorning, with the air of
one willing to be amused.
Its not for want of trying to be, if
I'm not, said Railway. His forced
smile might, however, have shown his
! prisoner that he was sufficiently warm
with fear, nevertheless. Come, sir, is
it bargain?"
Bring Miss Thorning to me here.
Not until you do so will for one mo-
ment condescend to parley with you.
am county magistrate, sir, for one
thing" Mr.. Thorning spoke majes-
tically.
Then Railway lost his temper "You
may be the boss of the whole county,
for what l care" he said. I'm not GO
ing to bring Miss Thorning here. /
give you my word, she's all right, and
when you've promised me that oof,
you'll say so, too. You shall have a
few hours to think it over"
This said, he shot the shutter into
its place, savagely, and then he drew
forth his pipe and meandered into the
patch of sunshine which still gilded
the eastern side of the encompassed
courtyard.
But he couldn't enjoy his tobacco
properly in such suspense. He re-
turned to the abbey, went as far as the
L.
and then descended again to 1.-The PEN
itents' Cell" He knocked at the panel
before opening 1t this time.
II only thought you had something
to say to me, SIR" he remarked, when
his eyes met Mr.. mornings, and
shrank before them.
You may shut that window" said
Mr.. Thorning. II have nothing to say
to you"
Nothing. yet. I'll tell you straight,
sir. the figure isn't coming down a sin
| gle dollar"
Shut the window, you rascal"
Every good" said Railway.
He tried to sheer bitterly; but some
how, the indignation and masterful-
ness in the magistrates eyes smother
ed his attempt.
I'm going to get my dinner" he
added. and slid the shutter. There was
no knowing, but a gentleman used to
such meals as they had at Bowerdale
manor might be coaxed to caprAilate
| by and by merely for reasons of stom-
ach combined with reflection. That is,
If he had no proper fatherly feeling.
Still, Roadway was not exactly elated
ON his return to Slis mothers quarters
That fellow with Miss Thorning stuck
in the throat of his hopes, as well as
Mr.. mornings unexpected obstina ~.
He ate bread and cheese with ar
Nenion, and drank beer but his appe.
tite was poor. Only supposing Mr.
Thorning continued obstinate! What
was he to do with his three prisoners
He had so far bluffcd throughout, with
no thought of Interior proceedings to
the verge of homicide. Yet, in self
defense, he might be forced to face
| even this risk. It was not an appe-
| Using prospect.
Twice during his meal he slipped
back into the courtyard, Just to see
that nothing abnormal was happening,
obviously. But he perceived nothing.
He hoped therefore that his fidgetings
of mind meant nothing.
And meanwhile Mr.. Thorning strobe
to and fro where the penitents of old
had walled their "Mea culpa!" in hair
shirts, which were removed only for
the equally irritating knotted cord. He
was exceedingly wroth. To think that
his daughter, too, was thus fast in
captivatity to such q ruffianl
What would he not have given to
espy a policeman through the grimed
diamond panes of his cell, which look
ed up a brambly terrace of the abey?
Amy human being would have been
welcome; even a disengaged convict
in search of job. He would have
engaged that convict on fabulous
terms.
1t was with these yearnings in him
that he saw, or thought he saw,
shadow outside. Instantly he smashed
two OF the panes with his elbow, and
called out:
rs any one there?" he cried, quite
appealingly.
The shadow became flesh Alec Gar
ston brushed back through the dead
nettles and the frosted refuse of the
past autumn, and showed Mrh Thorn
ing his face.
Good heavens, sirl" he exclaimed.
you here?"
Fresh establishment possessed the
master of Bowerdale. For a moment
or two he did but gaze at Alec, while
fresh emotions fought within him.
Then he spoke.
Good day. Mr.. Garston," he said.
IA diabolical outrage has been per-
petrated on me and Miss Thorning--
my daughter, Minnie
II know" said Alec. 1--WE just man
aged to get out myself. But you, as
well. sir! OF all the impudent conspir-
acics. / broke out through the IL
brary window, and climbed down by
the ivy. / was just hurrying to tell
you. Why Mr.. Thorning, it's almost
too ridiculousl What a laundering
scoundrcl the fellow is! What does
it mean?"
Mr.. Thorning was perplexed. But
instead Of asking Garston to be more
explicit. he smiled sternly and an
swered Alec's question.
1T means" he said, that l am held
here, and my daughter, too, until
pay young Railway $4,000.