The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1886-11-24 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ONE PENNY.  CHAPTER X.XXV (C'untinefed).  • I don't know how it is,' said Mr. Decker, as he sipped the steaming beverage with considerable satisfaction, 'but there are very few men who can enjoy a glass of brandy more than I do. Perhaps my uncommon starter accounts for it. But I was never intoxicated, no never! That is to say, never mortally. And we used to have a rare time of it, sir, -Mr. Jerdan and me. We have gone the pace Ido assure ,yon, sir—few more. sir. AIL sir. when I used to see and listen to Miss Lilian it was like feeling the fragrance of the country air after being half-baked in a furnace. Poor, dear Miss Lilian—l suppose she's grown out of all knowledge.* • She has grown very beautiful.' • No, sir, no. She was always that. Why, law bless me, air, now I come to think of it, Allan's father has a farm close to Weare's place. I was at it last new year's night. To think of me being so near to the dear cc &tare.' 'Does the man call himself John Mure, then  Ices. That murder he was tried for made the name of Owen too conspicuous. Bless YOU, be was as frightened of his son as ever Miss Lilian was. It's my belief that Allan could have told something which would have put a rope round old Mare's neck. But he is not a bad sort. It was he who told me of Allan's death, and then I pat the advertisement in the paper, thinking it would do Miss Lilian good to hear that she was free and would perhaps bring her home.' •It did her mittill good. The world is indeed small, Bernie—l knew her best as Bernie—received a severe shock at that farm. She saw in the family Bible there an entry relative to the birth of Allan Owen. She managed to persuade herself that it was a mere coincidence, and she stayed on. Had slie known the truth, I fear she would not be at t;reenlield now.' _ . .  '1 trust,' said Mr. Decker solemnly, ' that she shows no tendency now to commit suicide  • do not think that anything would drive her to it now. In Paris persecution had driven her mad. She has become a strongminded woman, though she used to have occasional attacks of fever, and these were natural enough. I have no doubt about her firmness of character.'  'lt will be a great joy for me to meet her, sir—great. 1 shan't believe it's real. Martin Decker, Martin Decker,' he cried, starting soddenly to his feet, 'what s lengthened ass you are. Pardon me, sir, but I must send a telegram to Mr. Jerdan. It will revive him, sir—make his heart strong within him. My news will cure him. Tomorrow, sir, I will start for Greenfield, while you, I trust, sir, will go on to Fingie. It is important that yon see that noblest of men without delay. I shall not sleep one wink to-night for thinking of Miss Lilian.' It eccurred to Dr. Arnold that his case might .be the same._  I wish I could have given her the good use s myself, he observed. 'That must be my task, sir,' cried Decker, quietly. ' 'Nat's capital brandy. Summer is the time to take your drinks hot. God bless you, sir. We will meet on the platform in the morning.' Thank heaven!' Dr. Arnold murmured to himself. 'Every cloud which once hovered i over Bernie's life s dispersed. I would take her to my heart where she sorrowful, and she will not refuse to come now she is glad. I feel to•night that all I have desired in the future will be mine.: _  The hours passed, and he amused himself with pleasant thoughts and in happy dreams of a joyful future with Bernie always by his side. Be had just concluded to retire for the night when he was surprised at another visit from Mr. Decker, whose face was white, and whose hair stood on end. He looked like a man who had received some terrible iright, or who had gone mad. • Tlie best and noblest of men, he murmured.  • Yon have had bad news froM Fingie ?' • n.a, sir, dead, Mr. Jerdau, sir. Fancy a gentleman like him being taken away. Why, they coald not do worse with me. I got this telegram from Ralph at ray hotel, sir. Dead. sir, dead. Why don't the world come to an end, Martin added with sudden passion. . „  Dr. Arno:d endeavoured to soolhe him. You have lost au excellent master, he eommeneed. 'The beat—the hest that over was. Decker broke in.  But you have your mietress left. Serve Ms  ----MiS Ai shrieked Decker, as though reminded suddenly of some dreadful HIM*. •I am the greatest villain alive.' Be beat his head with his fists- ' Yen must go to Greenheld; he cried wildly, ' mid comfort that poor dear soul, and 1 will haiteti to Fiugie.' Ile reeled from the room.  The will the will he --Cried to himself, in his heart's bitterness, I must destroy that damned will, or the money will come to me, and %hut sweet angel girl will be defrauded of her rights. Good God! what s villain I was to let Mr. Jerilan sign it. 1 might have known Ahe was alive.'  I 'll I