Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-05-26
&c wretch

thing-for my sake"
Jacks excesses became so disgust /
ing In time that even sweet Alice's |
patience and endurance were sorely /
tried. Her faith In her sense of duty l
was showing signs Of wavering when l
suddenly without warning Jacks skel-
eton kicked open the closet and fell l
spra wiling on the floor
The key was held by a quiet, thick I
set man OF dark complexion, who 7
called one evening to interview MIR. |
Westlake IN the quiet of his study |
Alice was there and hung over her |
husband as If to protect him.
"Mr. West.ake," announced the quiet :
stranger, you have In your employ a
man of the name OF Jack Lecon. l be-
lieveT'
Beverly WINGED little at the word
employ" and he was inclined to laugh /,
at the irony of the thrust. Yes. he ,
was in his employ, but a rather ex- !
pensive employee. He nodded. with a !
smile, to indicate his comprehension. !
well, sir" continued the stranger. !
"this man Is n convict-escaped from (,
the federal prison some months ago"
Beverly Westlake saw all kinds OF /
pink and white spots, and he glanced !
up to see if the electric lights had !
changed their colors. incidentally he |
felt the straugulating construction ct
his wife's arms around his neck. I!e !
realized that he was pale and that his :
heart had almost ceased to beat. l
"There Is nothing to fear. Mr.. West< .
lake The house Is surrounded, ard
we will capture him without any out
cry. lie l. desperate character
killed his guard whe2 he escaped-and
we have made special plans to cAptura
him without danger to you or your
household. | merely called on you To
prepare your wife for any struggle
that may follow. You understand"
Yes, Beverly understood, and Alice too
Alice" he said slowly, you had
better retire to your room. | will GO
with-with this man to find Jack"
Intuitvely she caught his meaning,
She hesitated but q moment and then
kissed him as If to withdraw.
IL don't think we shall need your
services" the officer said. with a con-
fident air. "Our plans are all carefully
laid, and by this time Jack Lecon
should be q prisoner. came here.
partly to engage your attention while
my men secured him. think now"
consulting his watch, 'the struggle
must be over. We will go and see."
They passed through the great hall
in solemn procession and then turned
to mount the broad stairs to Jacks
room. He lived In comfort and luxury
away from the servants as a man set
apart for special favors.
But they did not ascend the stairs.
A swift figure glided down the polish-
ed marble and intercepted them-a fig
ure that halted but an instant ard
then would have passed on with in-
sistent purpose. The officer, startled
by the movement, turned hurriedl5
and asked:
What is 1t. Sheldon? Anything
wrong?"
The gliding figure came to a reluc.
tant halt and replied respectfully:
Yes, sir: he escaped and jumped
out OF the window. But Jansen and
AOihCh hafC hCy heio
below"
There was a hurried exit from tha
house, and Alice forgot her dignity
and scant footgear. The moon was at
its zenith outside, and the crisp win
try air made the blood tingle. The
frozen ground was as hard as rock,
and little frost bulbs gathered on ev-
cry tree and shrub.
A voice from out OF the muffied ST.
they turned a corner Of the house.
1--WE have him. SIR" It said calmly,
HE jumped and fell on his head
hurt little. guess"
They gathered around a dark heap
on the silver frosted ground where
the twisted limbs Of man were
sprawled like the four corners of a
star. There was queer limpness to-
the neck when the head was raised.
and Alice covered her eyes and shud-
dered. II she OWNED the meaning Of
it she did not confess it even to her.
self 1t was Jansen who pronounced
the verdict
Meek broken. | guess" he said cool
ly. Yes sir. and dead as 4 doornail."
The leader of the men Euelt over the
PROSTATE form OF Jack Lecon, and aft
er close examination he said. with
flnality In his voice:
"Yes, he's dead
Turning towarj! the Westlakes, he
said in way Of explanation and apollo
gy: "I'm sorry we couldn't take him
away without creating a scene. But
I suppose now 1t must come out In the
papers. The coroner must be sum-
moned"
Alice drew a deep breath. and Bev-
erly wiped the frost gathered on hls
mustache with hand that trembled.
His lips only mechanically muttered
the commonplace words:
"You have only done your duty. Of
Hcer-only your duty-and l thank
you"
They turned slowly and walked up
the steps of the spacious piazza and
entered their palatial home. Their
family skeleton was back in the closet
and carefully nailed up and sealed.
Would 1t ever break out again?