Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-06-26

Of them getting out. Meanwhile Tom
had seen the Fawcetts in the gaping
crowd outside, had left them on guard
over the curricle and Wyeth and him
self rushed into the hotel.
There's no wedding. The guests are
being sent away" said waiter, stand
ing in his path
where's Mr.. Daintree:"
an the ballroom. but there's a gen
tleman"-
Tom hurried him on one side and was
in the ballroom himself next instant.
1t was a spacious saloon, the best in
Sydney at that time. and the first
thing Tom saw was the long table with
the vista of silver and glass leading to
a snowclad mountain of a wedding
cake at the far end. The chairs were
empty, the table uncovered, and only
two men were in the room, the bride
groom in his marriage garments and Il
person Of equal stature i'll top boots
and a pea jacket, whose face Tom
could not see. Next moment Nicholas
Harding turned his head. 1t was to
him Daintree had drunk in the gray
dawn that seemed year ago.
The rudy hair was shot with silver
the massive face refined by suffering.
lie had aged ten years in eighteen
months.
Tom went straight to his old enemy,
turning his back on his old friend.
You came out to stop this marriage,
sir"
Il did. 1t was the only way"
Il congratulate you on arriving in
time. You would have had murderer
for your sOn-in-law"
Daintree gave cry. Tom had turn
ed upon him with flashing eyes.
How do you know cried Harding
III amaZement.
Il will tell you. This man has been
my best friend. He paid for my de-
Tense. and he took me away from the
iron gang. Do You know Why"
Il know one reason"
$50 90 |. but there was another. He's
been hedging matters with his God
He murdered BlaydeS himself"
"Blaydes."
And Mr.. Harding flung up his hands
while Daintree sank into Il chair rs
yellow rs Il guinea. but with hot eye
| bulls fixed Scarchingiy upon Tom.
Your proofs" said he hoarsely
Your proofs In support of this-mon
! strous-Charge,"
Il have clear proof in ny pocket
said Tom to Mr.. Harding as he but
| toned up his coat. Il have the receipt
l gave BIaydes for his watch anG
chain
Daintree sprang up. He was trem
bling from head to foot. but his fist:
and his teeth were cIinched.
THIEF" he Kissed. You have bro
| ken open my desk, l saved you from
the gallows. You think you'll hounC
me there III return-yOu fool, when yOl
know what l know. What you HAY,
stolen is no proof ut all Migrate, ser
! lcnt. it will only tighten the rop,
round your own ungrateful neck
He turned on his heel and wrot
something on a card. He rang bell
met the waiter at the door and handle,
him what he had written.
THAT may be So" said Tom to Mich
olas Harding u may swing yet, but
thank God. not for Blaydes"
1T is really the receipt"
=. Undoubtedly. written by Blayde
and signed by me. 1t will clear me o
that crime If it doesn't convict him.
don't want to convict him."
The other shrugged his shoulders.
1T would he useless. There's mao
ness in his blood as well as crime! Bu
is that your only evidence|'
NO. | have ii witness outside VIII
all but saw him do it. He did see hii
t taking the papers from the dead man
socket"
"Papersw cried Mr. Harding. Hi
2 high color fed and came again. "The
: belonged to me. Give them to mt
t Erichsen, for Gods saker'
+ Then keep your eye on him, an
: you shall have ali but the one l ma
want. l saw they were letters to you
And in an instant they were in Niche
las Harding's pocket, all but the on
/. with the receipt upon the back, and b
also buttoned up his coat
, Meanwhile Daintree was at the otht
end of the long room guarding IL
: door, and now they saw him fling
: open with an evil smile. Next m
r ment strange gang entered-two co,
stables, Ginger, Nat Sullivan and Pc
Il gy O'Brien.
Peggy's presence is only too east
explained. When her own ears hear
|. Tom consent to leave the country 81
shut her teeth and swore that |
y should not. In New South Wales
t should remain, though back he we
y to the chain gang, but she trusted
II her own testimony to save his nee
So she slipped out of the bungalo
l. whine the master was being dresse
: followed the Fawcetts into Sydn,
and went straight to the Pulteney h
tel to tell Nat Sullivan the truth abo
Tom. She found that worthy in h
usual state when in town. Cling
Il complained that there was no doll
II anything with him. And so powerfl
= ly did the blear eyed, thick Tipped S
" repel Peggy, now she saw him aga
| -, =, 4Io& oh 80