The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-02-10

I'LL d soft voice. " must stay ana
bear y burden for The present Ion
have lived down your early disgrace
and proved yourself repcntaIt ninn..
.Bpi The Jaw doesn. recognize that
bitterly complained tho broken down
capitalist. .If ! escaped from prison
before my time expired i.ui still a
criminal In the eyes Of tie law. oh, II
i had been patient little lonser!m
Alice comforted Tim with words OF
cnressing affection. hut the iron had
entered his soul. and he continued 10
cry out: 4
ITO think this drunken brute should
have his freedom without fear. Of cap.
tureI or exposure! I'll Kill the wretch
irt-
/. no. dear. you won't do any such
athlns-tfori my sake
Jack's excuses became SO disgust
Ing In time that even sweet Allee's
patience aud endurance were sorely
tried. Her faith In her sense Of duty
was showing signs OF wagering when
suddenly without warning Jacks skel-
eton kicked open the closet and fell
spra wiling on the Goor.
The key was held by a quiet. thick.
set man Of dark complexion. who
called one evening TO Interview Mr.
Westlake in the quiet of Ills study.
Alice was there and hung over her
husband as Il to protect him.
"Mr. Westlake." announced the quiet
stranger. you have In your employ a
man Of the name Of jack Lccon. | be.
~lieve?"
Beverly WINGED a little at the word
"emptoy." and he was Inclined to laugh
at the irony Of the thrust. Yes, he
was In his employ. but n rather ex.
ncnsive employee. he nodded. with a
smile, to indicate his comprehension.
well. SIR continued the stranger;
this man is a convlct-cscaped from
the federal prison some months ago"
Beverly Westlake saw all kinds OF
mink ana white spots. and be glanced
up to see II the electric lights had
changed their colors. incidentally he
felt the strangulatlng construction OF
his wife's arms around his neck. He
realized Z hat he was pale and that bis
heart Ind almost ceased TO beat.
"rherc is nothing 10 fear. Mr.. West.
lake. The ttot,se Is surrounded. and
we will capture him without my out
cry. He Is a desperate character
Killed his guar,i when he escaped nnd
we have made special plans to capture
him without danger to you or your
household. merely called OH you TO
prepare your wife for any struggle
that may follow. You underestimate:
Yes, Beverly understood. and Alice too.
Alice" he sud slowly. ..you had
better retire to your room. l will 50
wlth-with this man to ind Jack"
lntuitiyely she caught his meaning.
She besitnted but a moment and then
Kissed him as II to withdraw.
~ don't think we shall need your
Services" the officer said. with a con.
tident air. "Our plans are all carefully
laid, and by this time Jack l.econ
should be a 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 so 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 fayors.
But they did not ascend the stairs.
a swift figure glided down the polish.
ed marble aud Intercepted them-a flg-
ure that halted. but M instant and
then would have passed on with In.
sIstent purpose. The officer. startled
by the movement. turned hurricdlr
and asked:
What Is 1t. Sheldon? Anything
wrons!"
The gliding figure came to n rcluc.
itant halt and replied respectfully:
EYES. sir: he escaped uud jumped
out Of the window. But Jansen and
Holden must have him. They were
below"
There was ~ hnrrled exit from the
house. and Alice forgot her dignity
and scant footgenr. The moon was at
Its zenith outside. and the crisp win.
try air made the blood tlngle. The
frozen ground was Us hard as rock,
aud little frost Lulhs gathered OH ev-
cry tree and shrub.
A. voice from out Of the mutled 81.
lence of the night smote their ears MS
they turned n corner Of the house.
I'VE have him. sir" 1t said calmly.
HE jumped and fell on his head
hurt n little. / Gless.'
They gathered around n dark heap
on the silver frosted ground where
the twisted limbs Of q man were
sprawlcd like the four corners Of a
star. There was. a queer limpness to
o. sl. nx.V. ,aI-- ,i,n nal -.x. ..t.~.1