Newport daily independent., 1903-03-31

seiZ4g his hat, he ruSned lhtO Ohc strqkt He had not gone many yards before his arm was grasped by man cohing from the opposite direction It 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-succe was practically certain. Returning to his cital of Thompson's capture, and gave expression to his satisfaction by presenting Grimes with 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 Il, and leaned heavily on the arm of an old gentleman, 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 ap- 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- pectancy of the congregation lapsed into a low murmur of consolation and sympathy for the bride, and even Frankison began to anticipate failure.
 Suddenly the sound of a carriage being driven rapidly in the direction of the church was heard, and an au- dible At last!" went round the building as the bridegroom, flushed with haste and excitement, appeared. As he hurried up the aisle his eyes sought those of Frankison, 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 Franlison 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 cheque for e350, being, with the amount already re- ceived e50 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. It 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: It will probably interest you to know that Grimes. the man you em- ployed, decoyed me into a house las night, but instead of making me pris- oner, as you desired, entertained me with an account or your dlaDolcal Schene. 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, I stayed with him all night and never found more entertaining host. The arrangements for keeping up the decep- tion we intended practicing upon you were the cause of my late arrival at church this morning. When l obeyed your signal and left my wife, I simply retired until you had departed.
 ] I understand you have had large call upon your purse of late. and would sug- gest the advisability of your recouping the stock in other regions, otherwise I must i 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, l vocop1 ft,Or,,