The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-17

Gill the WOI1du- i SpTdHS IOI q
and caught her by the hands.
Miss Branscome. you know me, Mr..
Slayden, the District Attorney" I said,
softly, rapidly. Yes and this Is Mr..
Wales. my predecessor, an old and emf
n lawyer. Now you will either az
company US back to my office, III
silence. mind, or 1 will summon an Of
fcer, have you taken TO the nearest sta
ton house as a common thief, and"
You ruffians." she broke in passion
ately, how dare you accost, stop. III
suit"
pressively.
Over that beautiful face, so naughty.
so defiant, there crept the gray shadow
of despair. Without another word, she
suffered US TO conduct her up the stairs.
We entered the outer office. All was
silent. Motioning Wales to remain
there with our charge, 1 passed through
the private hallway, into the further
room, and lit the gas. The safe was
open, the compartment empty: on the
floor, bound and gagged, lay Naire!
AS I freed him from his bonds, my
assistant sprang to his feet, waving his
arms wildly. Robbers, thieves, muir
derers," he shouted; they took me by
surprise, they stole the exhibits. doubt
less for the money. Help, help, help"
Doubtless for the money" l repeat
ed. How very thoughtful of you to
explain their motive in the midst of
our agitation. But compose yourself,
my good Naire. The booty is recover
ed; a desperate captured. Here, Wales
bring In your prisoner to be Identified
AS Naire beheld Miss Branscome,
ashen, apathetic, a pearl without ulster,
his natural chivalry asserted itself.
Now look here, Slayden," he began
i~nsinuatingly you are too manly a fell
low to wrong a lady through any com
bination Of circumstances. however,
conclusive. The fact is 7 needed the
money and took it; and then arranged
this pretence Of a robbery against the
day Of reckoning. Miss Branscome is
absolutely ignorant and innocent of the
whole affair"
You trussed yourself lik a basted
turkey?'
oh 1 had an accomplice, OF course
Yes; we saw her just now leaving
the office"
That was merely a coincidence; she
came to see me on business"
And noticed nothing unusual about
your appearance"
Il begged her not to betray me-"
Through the gag??"
IF l may break into this interesting
contest OF wits" interrupted Wales
with muct politeness. 81 desire to say
that while in the other room. Mis-:
Branscome, of a sudden, showed a de.
structive tendency, which much to m!
egret l was forced 70 restrain" and h
held out the note and bills. torn ntC
bits.
Marie" / said sharply, "Sit down a
that desk with Mr.. Wales and draw VI
a statement OF this transaction. Then
if o and Miss Branscome sign it free
ly. you may go to your homes; though
] warn you not to attempt to leav'
town. If you do not sign it. you boil
go to Jail"
AS l waited for the two to fulfil thi
task, l heard a soft and tremulous sigh
| turned: there stood Miss Branscom
close beside me in an attitude of passion
ate entreaty. her face illumined witt
beauty, wild. mysterious. fascinating
Transfixed, I looked into her eyes, wide
distended, trimming with emotion, a
in olden times, some simple youth ma,
have gazed into an enchanted poo
seeing vague, delicious promises of bills
beyond compare. Her lips moved, she wa
about to ask, even, as 1 was about t
agree: when. from the other side of tn
room. came Wales's voice, like tn
trumpet's call.
without fear or favor, so help m
| God he quoted.
I turned again abruptly, and hurrie
from the room, beating a retreat 70
the good of my soul, as many a bette
man has done
When I returned, the pair were gone
l made a copy of their confession, an
sent it to the leading lawyer Tor the de
fence by the hands of the invaluabl
Wales. Thereupon, and until Cour
opened, the next morning, I, too, ha
my share Of nightly visitors, mysteriou
messages, diplomatic soundings, threat
of reprisal, hints at future favor.
Il wouldn't, oh, I wouldn't punish
daughter for trying to save her father.
cried Branscome's host of friends j
both parties.
swered; n I struck to it.
! Court convened; and the father SET
tied the matter by pleading guilty.
! tore up the joint confession: it was nev
er heard of from that day to this. Mis-
Branscome and Naire were quietly mar
ried and went at once to the far ives
where he has been successful in HI
! p~rofesion-on it's civil side exclusively.
:, ---|
ri HANNA,S PENSION RIIJ.