Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-04-03
TIE DEAD ALIVE.
A Drama of To-Day
by Hubert Cecil.
ESPITE the late hour, light
By Hubert Cecil.

t :; * Il i: :s II N
~ ESPITE the late hour, lights
shone in the library, together
with the glow and reflection
of big, cheerful fire. Drawn
near to this was round oak table COW
cred and Uttered by documents Of all
descriptions while beside it with his
head resting on his arms, Horace Nor
cliffe, banker and broker, sat soundly
sleeping.
Outside the easement window, whose
curtain had not been lowered, was a
face sharp as that Of any fox. The
small eyes, intense and glistening, were
fixed immovably on the slumbering
man, and the slim, dapper body qulv-
cred with triumphant excitement at the
sight.
Cautiously inserting a clasp knife
blade, he deftly forced up the hasp,
then stepped within, closed the window
and dropped the curtain.
Gliding noiselessly to the door, he
turned the key in the lock.
Presently, however. he shook the
banker smartly by the shoulder. A
sponse he received. But a vigorous
slap on the back brought Horace to
his feet with Il bound. Staring about
him, dazed and bewildered, he finally
perceived the amused intruder, at
whom he gazed long and incredibly.
who are you?" he demanded, when
his astonishment permitted. "What do
you want here?"
II answer to Jedrey, and my business
here is-well, rather peculiar"
Then state it quickly and hcgone,"
said Horace sternly, with his hand on
the bell unless you wish to be ar
rested"
"YoU may ring yourself blue my
dear sir" returned Jedrey, "but no one
will heed you. 1t has turned II, and
the servants are all in bed. Besides,
you would be wise to hear me. A man
of your prominence should always
have clear character, and not mere
pretence to one"
why, what do you meanT' said Hor-
ace sharply.
"Mean?" retorted Jedrcy, 81 mean
to tell your history better even than
you know it yourself"
He then sketched the bankers career
in an accurate manner. He told how
when a susceptible young man he had
married a woman who, older than him
self, afterward proved to be unworthy
of the love he had bestowed upon her
either before or after he had made her
his wife. AS he had desired to avoid
the scandal of 4 divorce he had left
her 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 TO the full the happiness
of perfect love. Much as he regretted
TO 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.
"Heavensw exclaimed Horace, all
apathy vanishing in sudden dismay
"Alice alive? Alive? But no: impos-
sble! 1t is false-hideously false! Be
yond the slightest doubt she committed
suicide
Have you ever had absolute proof
that the buried woman was actually
your wife?'
NO, but
"Then don't be deludod any longer"
declared Jedrey, literally beside him
self with glee. "She is no more dead
than you are. She has been craving ali
these weary years to see her beloved
husband. And, by the way, capital
and plenty of it, is the only thing to
quiet her!'
IF you do not instantly depart" :"
shouted the banker, clenching his
hands fiercely, 81 will kill you'll swear
itw
THE threat" he said, "is 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
have-shall have. The amount decided
upon is 100000. Do you agree to pay
it?"
Twenty thousand pounds:" NUT
tered the banker. Yes | agree. But
/ cannot pay it now, or here"
THAT is immaterial,' chuckled Jed
rcy, advancing and unlatching the win
dow. your word and my knowledge
are sufficient. Meet me en- the other
side of the Demon Arches, two nights
hence, after dark. Be sure 10 bring the
money. Fail to do so. and Alice herself
b will call upon your wife,"
Shuddering at the appalling menace
Horace fastened the window and then