The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-06-03
CHAPTER xxx.

.bink out his situation; he found 1t a
TEcnlt task. He was utterly in Rod
u'oIl,s mower. Once in the hands of the
nolicp what would the story he could
tell avail against the word OF gentle
roon9 While thus revolving in his mind
his perilous position, he took out his
nine Searching in his waistcoat pocket
for a match, he felt some smooth, hard
substance. t. s.
II was the locket that Mr.. Porter had
handed him, and which he had entirely
eorpotten. His thoughts were too grave
" engaged to give any heed to it now.
But in taking it out of his pocket, the
hotter to catch hold Of a match that
eluded his fingers. his gaze fell upon
the back. upon which was engraved the
initials f. B. and e. NJ, Joined togeth-
or by true lovers knot. A cry Of as
tonishment burst from his lips; he took
II to the window, infinitely examined it.,
nsssed his hand across his eyes, as
though doubling their evidence. Then.
with trembling fingers, he tried for the
sprng. At last he found 1t. Upon one
side was the miniature of a beautiful
woman: upon the other, which had once
contained another portrait, lock Of
dark hair.
He sank into chair, trembling as
with an ague fit and gazing wildly upon
the miniature. But soon his face soft
ened, the tears gathered in his eyes, and
his chest heaved with deep sobs. He
kissed the picture, and murmured words
of passionate love over it. In trying for
the spring, Mr.. Porter had bent the case
q little. AS Montgomery pressed 1t to
his lips the portrait fell out and dis
closed, neatly fitted at the back, scrap
of paper. There was writing upon it;
but the characters were so minute that
he had great difficulty in deciphering
them. At last he read these words:
1.-THE child upon whom this Is found Is
Silas Morant, son of Francis Morant,
whose portrait this is, of The Willows,
Herts."
For some seconds, both strength and
consciousness deserted him. At first, his
thoughts came back broken and confus-
ed This portrait of his wife in Mr..
Porter's possession! How came it there
"a child of whose existence he was ig-
norant? Silas Morant-Silas Carston
and Madame Berne interested in him!
Great heaven! this boy, then, whom he
had given up to his bitterest enemies,
whose lifelong misery he had sealed,
whom he was on the brink of consigning
to an awful death, was his own son.
Back upon his soul like the blast Of a
trumpet rushed the parting words of
Madame Berne-that vengeance was
"held by a higher power than that Of
puny man"
For the first time since his childhood
days, this hardened man Of sin knelt
down, and trembling and appalled, at
what had been, what might have been
and what might be yet, prayed to heaven
for pardon and for succor.
What was to be done? If he could get
clear Of the house, there would be no
difficulty. But he had heard Rodwell
lock the door behind him. All, the win
dow. 1t was a French one, opening
upon garden; it was unfastened; he
could see the back door before him. The
next moment he was there. He could
not open it.
THE door is locked, sir" said a voice
behind him.
Montgomery started, "and upon look
Ing round saw a burly looking fellow,
dressed like a groom, sitting under a
tree. will you have the kindness to
open it for me?" he said, in as uncon-
cerDed tone as he could assume.
Cant, sir" was the answer. "Mas-
ter has left me here with the key, to
see that nobody passes out whatsom-
ever"
For moment, Montgomery entertain
ca the desperate idea of trying a tussle
for the key, but the powerful build of
the fellow, and the thought of the noise
1t would create, quickly dispelled it. An
other and more feasible plan crossed his
brain.
Would you like to earn a dollar, my
MANI" he said. Il don't mean by let
ting me out of that door, or by disotey-
Ing your masters orders. Will you take
message for me to the telegraph office
close by?''
The fellow considered for a moment.
WELL l wasn't told anything about mes
sages' SO dare say 1 can get 1t done
Tor you by somebody"
1t was an enormous hazard to trust to
thls man; but it was the only chance
lett. There were writing materials in
tne room he had just left He fastened
Oack' and upon sheet Of paper wrote
addressed to Jonathan Rodwell, Nor
'ey's Hotel, following words:
II you wish to see your granddaugh-
Ter alive, lose not moment in going to
manor House, Essex, John Rodwelrs
house."
AS double security, he would send
announcer to Bow street station. The Sec
Una telegram ran thus:
The young girl for whose discovery a
reward has been offered is at Manor
house Essex. She is in imminent dan
Ser-lose not moment"
ne sealed these up in separate envel-
opes, and went back to the man. A
South' looking like stable lad, was by
MS MS SIDE; this was to be the messenger.
No person was in sight. The lad de-
pdrted upon his errand, and Montgom-
cry returned to his room.
Inc next thing to be thought of was
uls own course of action, or rather, what
answer he should give to Rodwell when
us Ie returned. He must feign to assent to
US Glabolical proposition-a difficult
S %SA IN the present agitation of his mind,
1r.s ne only one. But would Rodwell