The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-14

The eldest daughter, Constance. through the carelessness of a servant, was lost in infancy and has never been heard of since. The other, Aliva. is the present Lady Tranord.'
 These particulars are fairly we'll known" remarked Sir Rowland ironi- cally.
 Perhaps" remarked the stranger;
 put there are others which are not SIT Montacute quarreled with his son and left his money to his daughter Aliya. who was betrothed to her cous- in. Sir Cecil Trafford.
 Rowland did what any sensible person would do; broke off his sisters match and did 1t so skillfully that he still retained the friendship. of Sir Cecil. But ono day he learned that AL Iva had privately married-though he could not ascertain the name and rank of her husband-and was living in an obscure dwelling in Southwark where she had given birth to, a child. You will remember the attack of Sir Row. land and Sir Cecil on that home with the intention of murdering the hus- band and child, and the flight of the father with the child in his arms to the sanctuary of the Old Mint. You will recollect the pursuit on the river the night of the great storm when, unmindful of the terrors of the ele- husband and his sisters child to the waves Aliva, after the death of her husband. was induced to marry Sir Ce- ell on terms suggested by her brother, conditions strange and unprecedented. Sir Cecil was to be her husband in name only. Sir Cecil is no more, Lady Trafford is dying. ere long the estates must revert to Sir Rowland"
 Are you man of nend" cried Sir Rowland.
 My name is wild-Jonathan Wild" replied the visitor blandly.
 The knight started at the name of the great theft -taker and laid his hand on his sword. MT. Wild" he said in sarcastic tone, but with great flrmness. "a person as astute as yourself must be aware that there are secrets which are dangerous to the possessor."
 sir Rowland does me only justice" returned Jonathan cooly, but some of my-my janizaries, I call them-ars without and one of them is furnished with packet containing the heads of the discourse have just had the honor to deliver. If I do not return within certain time he has instructions to take the packet to the proper author ities. Besides. I am accounted a toler- able shot and a fair swordsman. as you probbly know"
 What do you expect to gain by this interview" demanded Trenchard.
 "Ah now we have come to bisiness." returned Wild Give me a thousand agree to free you forever of the boy."'
 The boy" exclaimed the knight.
 "Yes," returned Jonathan with leer. Your sisters son was not drown- ed on the night of the great storm. but was rescued by one owen Wood. a carpenter; and under the name of Thomas Darrell the boy is now that carpe ater's apprentice"
 Sir Rowland caught at a chair for support and Wild suddenly changing to a savage manner and looking at his victim as a bulldog looks when about to spring said: If 1t were my pleas ure to crush you l could do so in a minute You are wholly within my power. Your plottings with the exiled house of Stuart are known. I have in my pocket a warrant from Walpole for your arrest as a traitor. But put up your blade King James III. will have need of 1t. Instead of arresting you I offer you my assistance" By the time the boys arrived at the Trenchard house, Lady Trafford had already departed for her country seat. having set out before her intended time; and Wild and Sir Rowland had come to an agreement. "This Is most opportune." said Wild when all attendant announced that two boys from MT Woods were want to give to Lady Trafford. have them in"
 50 you have something which you want to give to Lady Traqord. have you?" inquired Wild; and snatching the packet containing the miniature he glanced at the contents with deep interest and continued You stole this!"
 "I did not" replied Thames. Sir. Rowland also took the minia- ture and regarded 1t intently. He had never seen it before. .or his sister had always kept it from his gaze.
 Do you know whose portrait this is?" he asked.
 'I do not" replied Thames, but sus- pect that 1t is the portrait of my father
 Do you know this picture, sirrah?" asked Jonathan of Jack.
 T should thing so.'' replied Shep- pard. Tt came from Lady Traffords jewel box"
 "Who stole it?"
 "Thames Darrell, the boy by your side"
 Liar" cried Thames. But Jonathan called in his janizaries and was giving both lads into their custody when great commotion was heard in the ante-room. Lady Trafford. too weak to continue her journey. had returned in a dying condition and was being brought into the house.
 Sir Rowland was suddenly and ter ribly affected by this sight of his dy- ing sister. Bitter remorse and sorrow an uncomfortable emotion that over whelmed him.
 'T could die content" said the un- happy lady If I could behold my child"
 You shall behold him. Aliva." cried the remorseful knight. "He is alive! He is here, Behold him. and taking Thames by the hand he led him to his mothers arms.
 Sir Rowland now demanded of his sister the name of her husband. the boys father but her emotion had been too much for her. Before she could re- ply she fell back dead.
 Jack Sheppard was taken by Wild to the Old Mint where he was started upon a career of crime as Jonathan had once started his father, Tom Shep- pard And Thames Darrell was deliv- cred to the captain of~the Dutch trad ing vessel in the pay of Wild. who agreed to throw the lad overheard at sea-and kept his word. "At last I am my own master said Sir Rowland as he and Wild were re- &,.ntno frop, seeinR Darrell on hoard