Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-01-27

"You speak as Il you ,cere sorrU for me-"
the knob. The lock bore both figures
and letters in concentric rings. and he
saw that the seven figures Harry had
written formed word. Hugh dropped
the match with a smothered exclama-
ton. for the word was Jesslca! So
Harry really had loved her in the old
days! He swung the massive door
wide aud took out the canvas bag
with the thousand dollars. With this
and the ruby ring-it must easily be
worth as much again--he could put the
round world between himself and cap
ture.
He closed the safe and with the bag
Of coin in his hand CROPPED his way to
the door Of the chapel. 1t was less
dark there. for the snow was making
a white night outside. and the stained
glass cast wan girnmer across the
aisles. He greatly needed sleep. and
tonight in the open that wns out Of
the question. FIe could gain several
hours rest where he was and still get
, away before daybreak. He drew to-
gether the altar cushions and lay down.
the canvas bag beside him, but he was
cold. ard al length he rose and went
into the vestry for surplice. He
wrapped this about him and lighting
cigarette, lay down again. He was
very tired. and In few minutes be
was sleeping heavily.
The last half consumed cigarette
dropped from his relaxing fingers to
the cushion. where it made a smoldcr-
ing nest of fire. A tiny tongue Of
flame caught the edge Of wall hang
Ing ran up to the dry oaken rafters
and speedily ignited them. In fifteen
minutes the interior Of the chapel was
mass Of fame and Hugh woke gasp
Ing and bewildered.
With a cry of alarm he sprans to his
fcct seized the bag of coin and ran to
ne door OF the study. In his haste he
'lmbled against 1t. and the dead lock
9apped to. He was n prisoner now.
or lie had left the skeleton key in the
side of the outer door. Clutching his
"casure, he rnn TO the main entrance.
was fast. lie tried the smaller win.
lows. Iron bars were set across
hpm.
He made shift to wrap the surplicc
lout his mouth against the sitting
';no.ic and fiery vapors. The bag drop
81 from his hand. and the gold rolled
bout the floor. He stopped and clutch.
i handful Of the coins and crammed
tt,tA b{, nl-nf
fter all, like this, caught like a rat In
, trap?
uttering a hoarsc cry. with the
,treugth of despair, Hugh wrenched
lpw from the floor and made OF 1t a
adder to reach the rose window
Nounting this. he beat frantically with
rs fist upon the painted glass. The
rysta shlvered beneath the blows,
'rl clinging to the iron supports his
ard burned to the skin. he set his
acc 10 the aperture and drew gu!p-
* breath OF the sweet. cold air. In
- agony. with that fiery he'll opening
meath him. he could see the massed
rnple watching from the safety that
r"s so near.
.Dlk. LOOK. nc sudden cry
ent up. and II thrill of awe ran
rough the crowd. The glass Hugh
"a shattered had formed the face Of
Ac pentent thief In the window de.
| iEn. ana his outstretched arms fitted
hose of the figure, 1t was rs though
by some CHASTITY miracle the painted
features had suddenly sprung into life
the haggnrd eyes opened In appeal.
All mt once there came shout Of
warning. The wall opened outward.
tottered and fell.
Then 1t was that they saw the with.
Ing figure. tangled In the twisted lead
bars OF the wrecked rose window.
Shielding their faces from the unen-
durable heat. they reached and bore It
to safety. laying It on the crisp. snowy
grass and tearing off the singed and
smoking ministerial robes.
Judge Couwcll was one Of these. In
tho haring confusion he leaned over
ehe figure. The CLEAN Of the ruby ring
on tho finger caught his eye. He bent
forward to look into tho drawn and
distorted face.