The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-02

the others and resolved to keep Smike at all costs. He told the Cheeryble brothers about 1t the next day and they encouraged him in his defiance. If these peopple really had the law on their side, let them appeal to it. Nicn- olas had a shrewd idea that they would not dare.
 A few days after Newman Noggs came to see Nicholas. "Are you going to let this unnatural marriage take placer" asked Noggs.
 .what marriageT' asked Nicholas In astonishment.
 Madeline Bray. Old Arthur Gride:. Money lender. Your uncle has arranged s 1t. Gets 10000 pounds. Ola Bray sel- fish. Sells his daughter"
 Be careful what you sayP cried Nicholas. "Be careful"
 Married tomorrow said Newman. The young man ragged. Newman forced him down upon a seat. There, there; be yourself" said hes 'No use rushing to Nickleby. H,ll be in bed
 'IIl drag him from it." cried Nichos
 aTut." said Newman. Better rescue
 AS soon as he felt himself calm enough. Nicholas sought an interview with Madeline Bray. He felt 1t his duty to expostulate with her, he said.
 you say you have duty to per form" replied Madeline. "and so have I. And with the help of Heaven will perform mine."
 say rather with the help Of devils, cried Nicholas.
 "I must not hear this" said Made' line. My fathers health, perhaps his life, depends upon my obedience. He was talking as you came In with 6 smile such as used to see of old Of the freedom which would soon be his. Oh, pity me--and leave me-"
 Her tears fell fast. After more frult- less expostulation Nicholas departed. Pronptiy at the appointed hour next day old Arthur Gride, ehattering ana grinnIng, came in a coach with Ralph Nickleby to claim his victim. Bray himself met them as they came into the house.
 Sshe was very i'll last night" said he. ''but she Is calmer now. She will De down presently" Then. drawing Ralph aside. he whispered: This seems a cruel thing, after all; doesn't itF
 NO" said Ralph.
 Look at that man." remarked Bray, 'that souIless old rascal. It Is cruel by all that's bad and treacherous.
 Leaving the two aged rascals alone. Bray went to fetch his daughter Soon they heard the rustling of woman dress in the hall and the step of 2 man. Springips up to receive the pride ana her father. vast was thelr to see confronting them Nicholas and Kate. -
 he broke out Into Q torrent Of invee- tive. "Cirlg said he to Kate, retire We can use force with him. but would not willingly hurt you. Retire and let us deal with this dog as he deserves.
 "oh, dear. oh dearF' ehattered oid cride. S'He wants to marry Miss Mad cline, too. He! he! he"
 q have come to rescue your victim if can" said Nicholas, speaking in a low, hard voice. Approach me at your
 The next instant there was the sound of A heavy fall in the room overhead. Then some servants burst into the room, crying out that MT, Bray was dead He had. Indeed passed beyond thA hounds of all debtors limits" The weak heart from which he suffered had snapped suddenly. Nicholas and Kate flew to comfort the distracted Made llne. and when Gride and Ralph tried to interfere. Nicholas. in the name Of the Cheeryble Brothers as next friends" of the orphaned girl, took en- tire charge of everything and turned his uncle and old Gride out of the  Inmate of the cottage at Bow, under Kate's care by direction of Cheeryble Brothers.
 smikes health was failing rapidly and by a physicians advice Nicholas took him down to Dev0nshire 10 try what a change of climate might do to- ward prolonging his fran hold on Ire One dav when Nicholas had left Smike alone in the garden. he returned to. find him in a great state or agitation,
 T saw him." faltered Smike, the man who took me to school. He was just behind that tree remember before went to the school that I was in a garret. There was a scuttle just over the bed on which l lay I was kept there a long time. used to lie and look at that scuttle. Then man-that man I just saw-came and took mo to the school. That is all l remember"
 Meantime up in London Arthur Gride had returned from his attempted we'd