Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-02-26

She was frightened at her own daring,
but she remembered that she was Rogers
witness; it was necessary for her own
eyes to testify to Bergusson's dishones.
doings. Now there could be no mistake;
the open safe was conclusive, and so
were the notes and gold that he was stow
ing away in that great black bag. Alison
watched, half fascinated by horror. He
had nearly finished; yes, he was locking
his bag and closing the safe, the candle
stood futtering beside him on a chair,
not on the table; he almost pushed
against it as he went to the door and set
it open. Yes, he had locked himself in,
for she could see him take the key out and
fix it carefully in the outer lock, and then
he went back into the room. Oh, what
had become of Roger? In another mo-
ment he could have escaped with his
booty. The main entrance to the timber
yard was in the opposite direction 10 the
private door opening into the garden of
The Holms. Even if Roger and her faith
er were coming in this moment, Ferguson
would have no difficulty in eluding them.
1t was true the door was locked and Tim
othy had the key, but he could easily
swim across the canal and reach the tow
ing path unseen.
Alison's agony was rising to a pitch
that almost justified rashness She was
becoming desperate in spite of her terror
A sudden thought came to her, thrilling
her with horror-could she do it? Yes,
for Rogers sake she would try. Another
second she was gliding round the little
building and passed the curtained window
with CLEAN of light shining through the
crevice. As she passed it there was sud-
den darkness; he had extinguished the
candle. In another instant Alison had
shut the door. almost knocking Fergus
son back, if she had known it, and had
turned The key in the lock- Alison had
felt qui k, hysteric sob rise in her throat
as she heard the key turning under her
hand. Had she really done il? Had
some unseen presence beside her given her
the needful strength? Was the dishonest
servant a prisoner, and she his captor?
But Alison had no time to do more than
ask herself these questions. for Timothy
came out of his shed, and was hobbliug
toward her, and the next moment the key
was in Alison's pocket, and she was stand
ing at bay.
What does this mean, miss? How
came you here?" exclaimed the old man.
suspiciously.
L have locked Mr.. Ferguson in he is
stealing papa's money out of the safe.'
returned Alison, turning her white face TO
Timothy, and the sob rising in her throat
again. II will not give up the KEY until
papa comes.'
A fierce kick at the door behind her
drove her from it few PAGES.
Let me out, Timothy thundered Fer.
gusson. The girl is mad she must he
out OF her mind to say such things. Mr.
Merle desired me to look over some paper,
for him; they are most important, anc
there must be no delay"
You hear what he says, miss" return.
ed Timothy, rathsr roughly eve must
not keep the masters manager locked IN
warrant sou j; is all right; they keen
them pipels in the safe Give me the
key and will open the door for the gen.
tleman.".
Not until papa comes,'' was Alison,
reply; and in spite of Timothy's surly re.
monstrances and Fergusson's impreca.
tlons, she remained firm Timothy was
driven to his wits end, when suddenly
footsteps were heard, and Alison darted
forward to meet them.
Papa, | saw him at the safe: he was
putting the gold and notes into his bag.
saw him do it !" she cried excitedlv.
He blew out the candle, and then | lock-
ed him in. Here is the key"
Timothy, go at once to the police sta
tion." exclaimed Mr.. Merle. in a voice
they had never heard before it was so
hoarse with Indignation Roger, take
your sister into the house. There is a
lire in my study; will wait here"
mo, no; | can go Alone" returned Ali
son. Roger must not leave you, papa. -
But he repeated in the same curt way :
Take your sister away, Roger, and be
back as soon as you can" And Roger.
who understood his father, hurried her
across the yard and the garden, and did
not leave her until she was in the warm.
brightly lighted study
Take off your wet jacket, Allie" he
charged her, as he left her; but there was
no time to say more.
Alison obeyed him. She took off her
dripping hat also and then she sat down
on the rug and laid her head against her
fathers chair, and flood of tears re-
lleved her overwrought nerves. Roger
{ found her still in the same position when
he came in half an hour later; but the
| tears were flowing more nuiatly Ir HI,
boyish exuberance he lifted her up as
| though she were child.
Here she is father, crying her pretty
eyes out! And no wonder when she is so
cold and tired. Allie, do you know YOU
are perfect heroine You have done
plucky thing, and no mistake I"
Come and kiss me, Alison, my dear %
said Mr.. Merle. "You are brave girl,
and have saved your poor fathers credit.
RoOar and vou ho ova dona ,ohI,,