Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-07

SIR ROBERT MANNERsLEY, noble
man OF ancient title and vast estate
on which valuable mines have been
found He is devoted to his beauti-
PHILLIPA, who Is Lady Bountifui Of
the farm and mining community.
She Is in love with, and believes In
nocent OF charge of forgery. her
CLINTON MANSERsLEY. heir TO the
estate, who has sown harmless wild
oats, but declares himself innocent
f 81 asf bs OF e,; qnes
ter. He escapes from prison aud
takes refuge with
MRS. BRITTES, his old nurse. who
believes him innocent and her son.
jim. his foster-brother. who is a
somewhat radical miner.
The Web OF Circumstance
Thus welcomed, Clinton sat down,
and was glad to do SO. he was glad
too, OF thc brandy and water which
the burly giant mixed for him.
You're running risk In harbor-
ing me, you know. Moses" he said
You'd better turn me out-though
j know you won't"
Moses sworc a mighty oath and
tmacked the table with his open
Iaim.
40. not for an the laws in the
land, sir.' he said. Jim. my lad, I
don't like a man 10 come under my
roof without suppin.' I'll make thee
IA cup o tea OF coffee. Iike-which,
now
an have a drink Of that milk,
Noscs." said jim, pointing to Il
measure which stood on the table.
"ilerc's 10 your good health" lie
continued 40 Moses pushed the milk
toward him. And now III go-l
kF-oW Mir, Clinton'F In safe hands"
AS safe as IL he were baby and
IN his cradle" said Moses. I'll see
to him. lin. my lad"
lle saw to his charge that night
- II he had been entertaining u
LING. and next morning. in spite OF
i'll that Clinton could urge, insisted
IN playing" saying that the loss
uf a days work was no more to him
than nau2ht, and that he was going
ia stand by his Suest until night.
Mad SO the day went by uneVent-
fully, hut In safety, and at the time
suggested ~ Philiipa. Clinton. after
n hearty fatewell from Moses Pog-
more. set out In the dusk for the
castle.
He WAS conscious as he went
along. making his way from one
al
hat breads even the light of day,
hat he was feeling heartsick and
respondent. lie knew very we'll that
he had made n fool of himself in his
hoyhood and young manhood: that
there was no wonder that his uncle
had become sick and wcaried of his
folly and his wild gongs- on. But
lie was also conscious of his own
entire innocence In the matter for
which he had already suffered. and
must yet suffer. and sort of
apathy fillcd him as TO the future.
Then he thought OF Phillipa and
her promise. and went forward,
strengthened In his resolve, and
Wishing that he had his time to
come over again.
Knowing all the ms and outs OF
the grounds and gardens about the
castle Clinton had no difficulty in
posting himself In such a position
In the shruhbcry near the windows
of Sir Roberts study that he could
see into the room. But in his
csgerncsS TO see his uncle and pour
cut his woes and his entreaties he
had arrived too early: he could see
that the room was empty. Then
servant appeared in the study and
drew down all the blinds: after that
he could see no more.
After waiting what seemed an age
Clinton Mt last moved out of the
shrubhery and crept TO the side door.
to which Phillipa had provided him
with n key. That door opened
directly into the study. as he knew
Well. lie inserted the key in the
lock. II turned without a sound. In
another second he was inside the
room. A high screen stood between
him and the center of the study,
hiding his view of the desk whereat
Sir Robert usually worked at night
lie moved softly round 1t. expecting
10 find the room empty. Everything
was so still. so very quiet--so I'M
usually quiet-that It must he empty.
But what was this that he found
himself staring at--starinE with
eyes which grew wider and wider
with the certainty OF some great
horror, of--oh. heaven, what had be-
fallen that old man, grayhaired. so
motionlcss. fallen forward across
his desk ? What had this crimson
stream running across the white
mass OF papers beneath him, what
was that red stained thing that
He turned with a cry for help
struggling in his dry throat, only to
find 1t smothcred. and himself
seized by tall, stern faced man,
stranger. AT the same time he saw
other faces crowding about him.
other voices sounding. crying his
name. fingers pointing Mt him. And
clinton Mannersley suddenly real
lied with an awful sickening of
heart that once more fate was
against him, and that he stood there
suspected Of murder,
II was only sprinkling OF men
that went down the shaft at Man
rersley Main next morning. Those
who went were the sort OF men
whom nothing affects, who are OF