The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-29
COPYRIGHT. 1907. RY IRVING KING ALI RICHTS RTSTRVTn

or the past was lurking there. At least so thought Walter Lester, the Squires nephew.
 Walters father had disappeared when he was a baby, and when his mother died soon after. the Squire took the boy and brought him up as his own son. It was one of the Squire's dreams that his erring brother Geoffrey--al- ways a wild fellow--would return some day sobered and prosperous.
 After the strangers visit Aram, con- trary to his custom in such matters, began to visit the manor house fre- quently, and the Squire observed with satisfaction the growing fondness be- tween him and Madeline. One day as he was commenting on this to Walter something in the youths manner made the elder pause suddenly. walter" said he, can it be that you-I thought 1t was Eleanor. Have I been blind?' l Walter trembled as he stood q would like to go away for a while, sir" said he at last Much disturbed. the Squire agreed and 1t was arranged that the young man should depart In a day or two with old Corporal Bunting as his at- | tendant. Bunting was. as he himself said, Man of the world sir--seen ser vice, sir--augh" But he was faith ful, and the Squire depended on him. That night at dinner, as Walter look ] ed at Ellinor, he thought: why did I l not love you?" and before he departed on his travels he took an occasion to say to her: You are worth dozen of Madeline"
 Aram's love for Madeline was that of the mature man-lasting and deep; that of Walter for her but a fitting light dancing about, seeking Its true amnity. One night. after Walters de- parture, as Madeline and Aram were taking their accustomed evening walk in secluded path they came upon the rough stranger whose former visit to l the student had set the village gossips talking.
 Good evening, Eugene Aram" said the stranger, and as he spoke he lifted his hat slightly to Madeline. Pardon me a moment" said Aram. and stepping aside he spoke a few earnest words into the strangers ear, The man bowed, and turning, disappear ed in the wood.
 What Is that fearful man7" excIaim. ed Madeline.
 An old acquaintance fallen upon evil days and come to ask assistance" replied Aram. But the conversation Jagged after that, and the brow of the scholar seemed gloomy with dark and sinister thoughts. When he fin- ally left Madeline at the gate of her
 
 sombre presentiment weighed on her heart. She could have sat down and wept without knowing the cause.
 From the companfonship of Madeline Aram hastened to the place where he had appointed to meet the stranger. What brings you here. Houseman?' he asked sternly.
 Well" was the jaunty reply, "I and my friends are doing a little house. breaking in this part of the country and I naturally called upon my learn ed friend, Eugene Aram. Perhaps you have heard of our exploits last night some four miles away" So the burglary was yours?" said Aram, That villainy;" Come, come" replied the stranger. remember the past"
 Talk not of the past Destiny has driven us down dark tides together, Houseman. But, look you, cannot live and have my life darkened by you"
 Well. I must live" said Houseman We shall go after we have swept the country. If l am taken--why, full confession of my past sins would make interesting reading for-say the young lady at the manor house." Long they talked there in the dark ness beneath the trees, while a rising wind moaned and sighed through the branches. The next day the whole vil- lage was bustling with wild excite ment. Another and yet more daring robbery had been perpetrated in the Immediate vicinity, and the police from the county town had been summoned and were Investigating.
 The squire came to see Aram and begged him to forsake his lonely and isolated dwelling for a while, at least and come to the manor house By rem Faaanffndr fn hi hnr allay the fear and agitation of Made uns' Lester at last prevailed on the scholar to go home with him. As they walked across the fields Aram intro- duced the subject of Madeline's dowry and told the squire that though a few days before, when the marriage had been definitely arranged, he had an- nounced his intention of taking no dowry with his bride. circumstances had caused him to change his mind. An old debt for which his creditor was pressing him rendered 1t necessary for him to ask as a favor that half of the amount the squire had named as Mad eline's portion be delivered to him i'm mediately. He wanted to get that old matter out of the way before his mar riage.
 Enough, enough. my dear Eugene" replied the squire. ''You shall have 500 pounds tomorrow morning But, come, let us hurry. To tell you the truth, I should not liked to be robbed to- night of all nights; for besides the old family plate-which is not much have in that bureau in the parlor to the left of the hall 300 guineas which have not yet had an opportunity to take to the bank"
 Hist" exclaimed Eugene, stopping. T thought I heard sounds on the oth- CT side of that hedge"
 Looking over the hedge they did. in- deed see two loutish looking country men passing there. When questioned they gave a plausible explanation of their presence and had apparently heard nothing. Still Aram was disturbed and that night kept watch in the manor house without removing his clothing and with his pistols ready.
 Outside a storm of wind and rain was raging, and the villagers who had organized themselves into a patrol soon sought shelter In the middle of the night people in the manor house were aroused by the report of a pistol and, hastening to the parIor, saw by the light which the square held aIoft, Eu- gene Aram standing. pistol in hand. gazing at a window from which the bars had been sawed and which the thieves had left open in their flight. On the floor were clots of blood. showing that Aram had not missed his man.
 "Ah, my brave friend" cried the squire. Tt is to you that I owe our safety!"
 You, Eugene" cried Madeline. and sank on her lovers breast.
 But let us to the Dursuit" cried the